May has been marvelous for jazz in Pittsburgh - and June is busting its own moves - with the homecoming for Pittsburgh native Jeff Goldblum with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra Saturday June 1st.
It’s also the start of the Three Rivers Arts Festival - with many things to see and hear - including Grammy Winning pianist, vocalist, songwriter and bandleader, Nicole Zuraitis. Her grammy winning recording “How Love Begins” was inspired by oil, water and art - and the mixture of those things together is one of the stories she shares in our conversation on the SCENE. Nicole Zuraitis plays the Three Rivers Arts Festival at the Dollar Bank Stage, Tuesday June 4 at 7:30 at Stanwix Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
Also coming in June - vocalist Haley Reinhart on June 13 at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale - while she’s jazz adjacent - she made a remarkable recording with Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra a few years back that we really enjoy.
As we mentioned - actor, pitchman and pianist / bandleader Jeff Goldblum - leading a special performance for Pittsburgh CLO at the Benedum Center - Saturday June 1st. The band includes Jeff on piano, John Storie - guitar, Alex Frank - bass, Joe Bagg - organ, James King and Scott Gilman - saxophones and Ryan Shaw - drums, along with featured vocalist Tawanda. Also visiting that night with jeff, his onetime jazz piano teacher, Frank Cunimondo.
Also coming in June - BNY Mellon JazzLive returns to Katz Plaza with Steeltown Favorite, recording artist Kenny Blake - Tuesday June 11th, 5-7pm. Later that night, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane visits City Winery in the Strip - June 11th.
Add in all the other June events, and there will be easily 200 live events to choose from in June.
The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday at Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM.
Nicole Zuraitis
Jeff Goldblum