Vocalist Aimée Allen grew up in the Pittsburgh region, but spends most of her time in New York City, and also quite a bit of time in France. She comes home to Pittsburgh now and again - including this Monday, April 10th for City of Asylum at Alphabet City on the Northside.
Scott Hanley and Aimée Allen at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Congress - January 2020
Starting with a study-abroad experience that led her to music, it was in France was where she first really started to work as a singer. After spending about a year in France, Aimée returned to the states and ended up in New York, looking to make a go of a career in music - which reunited her with musicians she had met in France, including bassist François Moutin - in New York City.
On the program, we visit with Aimée about her journey, writing music, and about her new release “Love & the Catalyst,” and about her trio with François Moutin (bass) and Tony Romano (guitar)
We also play music from performers coming soon to the Steel City - pianist Monika Herzig brings her “Both Sides of Joni” (Mitchell) project to MCG Jazz April 22nd - and featuring vocalist Alexis Cole. Also on April 22nd, trombonist Steve Turre brings his new “Generations” project to the New Hazlett Theater for Kente Arts.
Also, we celebrate the April 5th birthday of Pittsburgh’s Stanley Turrentine with a tune from him, along with fellow Pittsburgh natives Tommy Turrentine and Horace Parlan.
The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM