October leads to November and all of it is filled with great music on the Pittsburgh Jazz Scene and related sounds.
The Highmark Blues and Heritage Festival comes to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4. One of the headliners is Latin jazz legend Pete Escovedo.
We talked with Pete and share a bunch of his music. He was born in Pittsburg - California - and loved jazz and wanted to be a saxophonist, but didn’t get past the 4th lesson. He tells us that story, about his nightclubs in California, touring with Carols Santana, Stevie Wonder and more. And yes, we talk about his talented daughter, Sheila E, too.
Also coming on the scene - Trinidad-born Trumpeter Etienne Charles, playing for Kente Arts at the New Hazlett Theater, Saturday October 28th. We’ll hear him in a recording with Jamaican native pianist Monty Alexander.
The 53rd PittJazz Seminar and Concert(s) come to Oakland, and downtown Pittsburgh next week. One of the headliners there is pianist Victor Gould.
Plus, a visit with a vocalist who was just in town for the Pittsburgh Internationals Jazz Festival, Michelle Lordi. Her just-out record has a halloween-appropriate tune “Scare the Ghost” with pianist Orrin Evans and saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis.
The Scene - Thursday at 6 - Friday and Saturday at noon - Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Michelle Lordi and Scott Hanley at the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival - by Michelle Lordi