As the Jazz Scene in Pittsburgh has grown in this resurgence, clubs and venues are busy - and so are the recording studios.
We sample some of the activity - as this weekend features an MCG Jazz Label celebration with Mike Tomaro, Deanna Witkowski, Craig Davis, Jason Kush, Alton Merrell and Max Leake - all with new records out or coming out soon for national release on MCG Jazz Records.
The busy Boilermaker’s Jazz Band led by Paul Cosentino has a new one out, Jive at Five.
Also - coming home next weekend - guitarist Shawn Purcell, who’s new release 180 on origin records features organist Pat Bianchi and Shawn’s wife, vocalist Darden Purcell.
We talk with saxophonist Tony Campbell about his latest, “Blues Ballads and Beyond,” a new outing with young performers who wrote new songs (Antonio Croes, Ben Sherman, Patrick Whitehead), and vocals by notables on the scene, Fred Pugh and Bethany James.
That doesn’t mean we don’t have more touring folks coming to town, too - Gary Bartz and the NTU Troop bring it to Kente Arts at the New Hazlett Theater on December 3rd; violinist Regina Carter to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and many more splendid shows to come on the Scene to finish out 2022. Find out where and when at WZUM dot org!
The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Tony Campbell
Gary Bartz
Alton Merrell, Craig Davis, Deanna Witkowski, Jason Kush, Max Leake, and Mike Tomaro
