It has been a busy summer of jazz in Pittsburgh so far - with much more to come! We take a brief look back and a special look forward to more of the Pittsburgh Jazz Days of Summer.
Guitarist Andy Bianco grew up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh in a musical family, has lived in Brooklyn for many years -and is heading out on a six state tour that spends some time back home in Pittsburgh as a part of it - including Con Alma July 23rd with Andrew Kirk - drums and Ava Lintz - bass.
Andy Bianco studied extensively with many players in the Pittsburgh region, especially Joe Negri - which after led him to Berklee School of Music. We talked with him about those origins back in 2021 on the Scene.
We talked with Andy this week about what’s new - and what’s next - and a lot of it is about spreading his musical experiences further from New York - hence the summer 2024 tour that brings him back home this month. He also has a new release out that we’ll play a bit of for you.
Etta Cox plays the BNY JazzLive Tuesday at Katz Plaza next week - and also brings her “ladies of jazz” show to the Oaks Theater in August. We harken back to 1998 for Etta with another great lady of jazz, the late Sandy Staley as they held court for The Last Call at the Balcony - with guitar greats Joe Negri and Eric Johnson
We share another new track from organist / pianist Matthew Whitaker - playing Hartwood Acres August 11, and share sounds of the godfather of Vocalese, Eddie Jefferson - a tribute to the Pittsburgh Native comes to Con Alma August 3rd with Phat Man Dee and special guest vocalist George V Johnson, Jr.. We play Eddie Jefferson doing Ornithology from his 1976 release “Still on the Planet,” with adoptive Pittsburgher Richie Cole on Alto sax.
Including pianist Bill O’Connell and his Latin Jazz Group (July 18) followed by guitarist Dave Stryker (July 25) for the Inside/Outside series at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, downtown.
Pittsburgh Jazz Saxophone icon Don Aliquo, Senior, is keeping busy this summer - with his standing 2nd Tuesday gigs at Con Alma, at VOMA in Johnstown (July 20), an Italian night at Sprezzatura in Millvale (July 26) and much more.
A Tribute to Nina Simone comes to City Winery July 28, led by Tony Campbell; Music industry legend Herb Alpert stops by for a musical visit, joined by Lani Hall on their farewell tour (July19) at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Looking in to August - much to share, including Craig Davis with Roger Humphries at Kingfly Sprits (August 1); Steel Pan Master Victor Provost returns for BNY JazzLive at Katz Plaza (August 6) and much, much more.
The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday at Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM.
