There’s a tune that Dizzy Gillespie and John Lewis wrote in about 1948 called “Two Bass Hit.” Many folks have performed and recorded it over the years, including Pittsburgh pianist Sonny Clark. We start the show off with that - but then add one more Bass - with three Pittsburgh Bass masters highlighted with new recording projects.

We include Pittsburgh Bassist Richie Goods - Pittsburgh Jazz Society Hall of Fame inductee, educated at CAPA and then on to Berklee College of Music, and then New York where he learned from Ron Carter and fellow Pittsburgh native Ray Brown. Then years on the road with Mulgrew Miller, Lenny White, Louis Hays, Milt Jackson, the Manhattan Transfer, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera and more. His newest release is with vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu, “Connected.” The new project also features another Pittsburgh original. keyboardist Brett Williams.

Next up, Pittsburgh native and graduate of Oberlin College, Eli Naragon. His new release is called “Homage,” and features musical mentors and colleagues from the Pittsburgh scene, and also Northeast Ohio - Roger Humphries - drums; Tommy Lehman - trumpet; Jeff Bush - trombone; Chris Coles - saxes; Theron Brown- piano, plus Jamey Haddad on percussion.

The newest release of all is a single tune from a project by bassist Anton DeFade - the tune “No G Left Behind” features Anton DeFade - bass; Jacob Pleakis - piano; and Brian Wolfe - drums. We hope to hear and share more from these studio sessions from Anton, soon.

Looking to the Jazz Central calendar, we see the chill in the February air is not impacted the heat of a resurgent jazz scene in Pittsburgh - another 50 events this week and likely 200+ in total by the end of the month.

Part of that is 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. Trumpeter Riley Mulherkar is a noted player and educator, and we share a recent performance of his from a tribute to the revered pianist and Julliard professor Frank Kimbrough (Kimbrough passed in 2020).

Also in February, 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 sing “Nature Boy” with Baritone Saxophonist Eden Bareket from a recent release.

Also in February, South African pianist, bandleader and healer Nduduzo Makhathini performs for Kente Arts at the New Hazlett Theater, Northside on February 18th. His most recent release is called “In the Spirit of Ntu," a melodic and rhythmic great ride.

Also - this week - we celebrate the birthdays of two Pittsburgh Jazz Legends - Trumpeter Roy Eldridge and drummer, bandleader and educator Roger Humphries, Sr!

The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM