More new events and new Jazz releases are in our midst.

The Kente Arts Alliance is making a dramatic return to live in-person concerts at the New Hazlett Theater, Saturday February 19th with The Cookers, an all-star lineup of jazz leaders in a group, together. The Septet includes Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, David Weiss and Donald Harrison.

We’ll be talking with some of them next week - this week, we hear some of their music, including features with Donald Harrison and George Cables.

Big news from Con Alma - which in addition to being two locations of noted food, drinks and jazz venues - Con Alma is now also becoming a record label. We got a sneak preview of sounds and we talk with guitarist and Con Alma musical curator John Shannon about the label launch at Con Alma, Downtown, Thursday, February 17th. Recorded during 2021, the four groups make up this initial compilation: The David Throckmorton Quartet, the Nosmo King Trio, the Howie Alexander Trio and the George Heid III Trio.

And, a visit with Cuban-born percussionist and bandleader Hugo Cruz - his “Voice of the Drums” series brings the band Caminos plus vibraphone master Tubby Daniels to Kingfly Spirits on Sunday, February 6th - which also marks the 3rd anniversary of Hugo Cruz moving to Pittsburgh.

A rich menu with fine ingredients - the jazz scene in Pittsburgh - and the SCENE on WZUM - Thursday at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel.