Again, we draw inspiration from the activity in the Pittsburgh jazz scene from Jazz Central —

One notable event is being hosted by the Washington Jazz Society on December 6th - Etta Cox with the Ladies of Jazz - joined by Denise Sheffey-Powell and Bethany James. That got us thinking about the three women performers on that date - plus, Bethany James also has a new release - with a celebration coming on Sunday at Con Alma.

So, this program, we highlight women on the jazz scene, here. That includes Lakecia Benjamin - coming to the New Hazlett Theater on December 9th for Kente Arts (along with her just-grammy-nominated CD, Phoenix).

Singers make up a big part of the list - vocalist Olivia Van Goor returns to Con Alma November 25th - She has a new record out, too.

Broadway performer Rema Webb comes back home to Pittsburgh this weekend, Saturday and Sunday (November 18/19) for the show "The Crawford Grille Presents Billie Holiday" at the Carnegie LIbrary, Homewood. Two shows Saturday, one on Sunday, presented by the Afro American Music Institute.

Vocalist, educator and songwriter Phat Man Dee has a new record out, too - a multi-year project called “A Thousand Miles,” which first came out in early summer.

More women instrumentalists have been very busy in Pittsburgh, too. Saxophonist Lynn Speakman will bring new works to the Greer Cabaret, December 12th (she also did arrangements for Phat Man Dee’s new record). Saxophonist Yoko Suzuki has been busy as a member of Roger Humphries’ RH Factor - and she also just led a special large ensemble (15 piece band) tribute to Marian McPartland at Alphabet City on November 14 with arrangements by Clifford Barnes.

PIanist and visual artist Jenny Wilson did a concert last weekend “among the trees” at the Stifel in Wheeling. She has a number of commercial recordings and is always busy around Pittsburgh, Morgantown and Washington DC.

Also busy on the scene, touring the nation and residing in Pittsburgh - pianist Deanna Witkowski.

Also - vocalist and jazz educator Darden Purcell will be visiting for the holidays with her Pittsburgh-native guitarist husband Sean Purcell on November 24 at Con Alma. Darden ALSO has a new CD just out, including vibraphonist Joe Locke.

Holiday sounds coming up have many notable women talent the weeks ahead —

the New York Voices with “Let it Snow” at MCG Jazz for two shows, December 2nd.
Lisa Ferraro and Jazz Up the Holidays at MCG Jazz December 4th, and
The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra with Ann Hampton Calloway, December 21st the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University, downtown.

Finally - while they are not from Pittsburgh, drummer Sherrie Maricle and the Diva jazz orchestra have been one of our adoptive favorites - their new release “30” recorded at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center is a joyous romp with a big band filled with talented women that has been swinging strongly for 3 decades.

There is so much to celebrate about jazz and jazz in Pittsburgh. We’ll hear it for and hear it from a lot of talented women in the mix, on the Scene.

The Scene - Thursday at 6 - Friday and Saturday at noon - Sunday at 5 on WZUM