Jazz Central - The Calendar.
The live in-person events coming up are filled with stars - a sold-out show with Ledisi for the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival September 14-17
John Scofield at Hartwood Acres - Sunday August 27, with opening act Jason Kush (just out with HIS new album)
Carmen Lundy for Kente Arts - September 9 at the New Hazlett Theater
and much much more.
ALSO - on the TV - Amazon Prime releases the new Wayne Shorter Documentary “Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity”. Producers include Brad Pitt, and Carlos Santana. Starring Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and a legion more - Streaming on Amazon Prime video starting August 25th.
As we look at the next few weeks, we see a lot of music - and a lot of guitars!
One of the guitarists on the scene is John Shannon - whom you may know as the curator for the music at the club Con Alma - and he has a new Organ Trio that just recorded in France this summer (the record will be out, soon). John has many other musical identities that Pittsburgh may not be as aware of - including touring the world with jazz fusion star Hiromi, work in rock and folk - and also a European group he’s worked with since college called Waking Vision. There’s a new record by the latter that just came out now. If you’re familiar with some of the sounds of guitarists on ECM records, you will hear some affinity to the approach.
John is playing a lot at Con Alma, and will also close out the Katz Plaza BNY Mellon shows in September on the 26th. Also - an Organ Trio summit of sorts at the Thunderbird Music Hall, September 15.
Did someone say “ECM?” Guitarist John Scofield’s career started in the 1970’s with many interesting connections. One of them, from his earliest years, was making music with bassist Steve Swallow, an innovative performer and composer who has been on the leading edge of forward looking jazz for decades. We also talk with John Scofield about his early years, that led him from rock to jazz, to his unique sound, and even a fabulous and unexpected recording session in 1977 with legendary pianist, singer and bandleader Jay McShann.
First week of September has the return more guitars and notable guitarists - Julian Lage at the Lecture Hall at the Carnegie in Oakland September 6, and Stephane Wrembel returns to the Southside at Club Cafe, September 7th. We’ll listen to some of their sounds - and share a bit of a conversation with Stephane Wrembel about his approach and influences.
John Scofield
Stephane Wrembel
Waking Vision (John Shannon)
Julian Lage
