Last week, we looked to the history of the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival - which began 60 years ago under the leadership of Mary Lou Williams, George Wein and the Catholic Youth Organization.

The word is out for the 2024 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival - and the news is - a return to Liberty Avenue, downtown, in front of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 3 days of free and ticketed events September 20 through the 22nd.

The Jazz Festival lineup in September includes pianist and bandleader Orrin Evans - who will also play for riders of the Amtrak Jazz Train from New York, through Philly. On stage in Pittsburgh, Orrin will bring the Captain Black Big Band. Also in the festival lineup - Vanisha Gould, Robert Glasper, Sean Jones, Dan Wilson, Emmet Cohen, Chris Coles, Howie Alexander and more.

Also returning to Pittsburgh - the 20th year for Jazz Poetry month - throughout the month of May at Alphabet City / City of Asylum on the North Side. More than 50 performers, authors and poets from around the world - live in person and also online from Alphabet City.

For fans of Jazz, there will scores and scores of events to enjoy in the sunshine - including jazz in clubs, parks, and on the rivers with the Roger Humphries River Boat Ride June 30th, featuring the RH Factor and special guest Hugo Cruz and Caminos.

The Tuesday night sets at the Greer Cabaret Lounge continue in May - including Pittsburgh Jazz Legend Frank Cunimondo and his trio, May 7th (his onetime student Jeff Goldblum comes back to Pittsburgh for the Civic Light Opera in a one night appearance at the Benedum Center, June 1st).

We’ll strive to keep track of all of this vibrant scene on the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel - crossing two rivers and riding on all three on WZUM!

Also - a special note - the new Pittsburgh-based Mary Lou Williams Institute will have two special programs this weekend in recognition of Mary Lou and her birthday - and leading to the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center the weekend after, May 11 and 12.

Saturday May 4 at the University of Pittsburgh Frick Fine Arts Building from 12 pm to 3 pm.  This event is open to the general public. Music and refreshments will be a collaborative effort with the University of Pittsburgh Jazz Department, and the MLWI - Scholar, author and MLWI board member Tammy Kernodle will do a reading from her book “Soul on Soul: the Music and Life of Mary Lou Williams.

Sunday May 5 2-4pm at St. Bede's Church in Point Breeze (509 S Dallas Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208).  It will be a reflective time to wrap up the weekend and an African American Music Institute (AAMI) student will be playing some of his own music as well as liturgical music from Mary Lou.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Mary Lou Williams’ Birthday is May 8.

Thursday night at six, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on WZUM.