Spring is not here. But it is coming - and there’s a great number of shows to look forward to on the Pittsburgh Scene in the days and weeks ahead. Depending on the Groundhog and February 2nd, we’ll see about how soon “Spring” is included in the Pittsburgh Jazz Forecast!
Lakecia Benjamin is not from Pittsburgh - but she made a triumphant performance in 2021 at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival after a frightening car accident in Cleveland when she was there to perform at the Tri C Jazz Festival. Injured and working through pain, she gave a wonderful performance in Pittsburgh. Lakecia has a new release out that we just received - “Phoenix” - and it is wonderful, too. With the talents of Patrice Rushen, Diane Reeves and more, we wanted to share a bit of it with you on its first week out.
Also newly out and notable is Pittsburgh native, Richie Goods. The first-call bassist has a new one out with vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu - “Connected” also features fellow Pittsburgher Brett Williams on several tracks on keyboards.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has more jazz in store - the Tuesday night BNY Mellon Jazz Live series continues at the Liberty Magic Speakeasy, downtown - plus a big show at the Byham Theater on February 22 with a band of rising New York Jazz Stars from Jazz at Lincoln Center led by trumpeter Riley Mulherkar called “Songs We Love.” Featuring for new notable vocalists on the scene, they’ll share four decades of American music with influences from Ma Rainey to Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and more - with Brianna Thomas, Shenel Johns and Vuyo Sotache. We’ll hear sounds from Shenel and Brianna - as a part of the mix.
The Uhuru Jazz Sessions continue at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center with vocalist Vanisha Gould on February 10th. Vanisha has been getting a lot of notice in New York since moving there from California in 2015 - we’ll hear her with Baritone Saxophonist Eden Bareket from a recent release.
Pittsburgh is clearly representing in January and into spring - with this week alone featuring another 50 live jazz events on the Jazz Central Calendar. Some Pittsburgh artists to look forward to include vocalist Laura Ferguson with a Sunday vocal jazz hit at Con Alma, Downtown on the 22nd. That day has has a bit of visual art meshing with Monk at City of Asylum with “Klenicki Meets Monk.”
The Balcony Big Band returns to Jergels in the North Hills on Tuesday January 24th; Adam Bleil continues with his monthly jam session at Cousins in Millvale - and also a Groundhog Day Dinner on February 2nd at Sprezzatura. We’ll play the Balcony Big Band with Mark Murphy - and something from the Bleil Brothers Band in observance.
So, whether spring comes early or late - the jazz scene in Pittsburgh is clearly keeping our environment warm and cool!
The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods
Lakecia Benjamin - Phoenix