Some new additions to the WZUM library have brought some missing CD’s to the collection - many with a Pittsburgh connection. And a lot of guitars!
Guitars are an appropriate angle this week, as during the last full week of July, Con Alma with be celebrating “Charlie Christian Week,” with panoply of guitarists. Before that week starts, on July 22, Pittsburgh guitarist Andy Bianco coming home for a date with Tony DePaolis (bass) and Don Aliquo Jr (sax). We’ll play a bit of Andy’s music - and also an excerpt of an interview we did in 2021 about his Pittsburgh Jazz roots - and gigging on cruise ships as he honed his skills - along with bassist Tony DePaolis.
That then turns us to music of influential bandleader, composer and pianist Don DePaolis - featured on the the Reid Hoyson project “Natural Gifts” along with guitarist Mark Lucas. Drummer Reid Hoyson leads a band at Con Alma, Downtown, July 23rd.
From there - our newly discovered first recording by veteran guitarist Ron Affif (Pittsburgher) - and his tribute to Joe Negri called “Uncle Joe.” Then, the newest release from guitarist Dan Wilson - Things Eternal (with a lovely vocal by Jessica Yafanaro, drums by David Throckmorton and Glenn Zaleski on Fender Rhodes).
More Pittsburgh Connections (and folks connecting in Pittsburgh in July include Lyle Lovett at Stage AE (July 27), Bobby Sanabria and Jay Hoggard for the Jazz Workshop inc at the Kelly Strayhorn (July 29) and Kenny Blake.
The Joy of jazz in Pittsburgh is all round us - and on the radio, day and night. Here the Scene Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM.
Dan Wilson