2024 has just begun - and new things are on the horizon for the Pittsburgh Jazz scene. Some of them have not be fully revealed, so we’ll be working to keep up with the updates and the days and weeks roll by.
For the early start of it - we take a visit with guitarist and musical curator John Shannon of Con Alma. This is the first year with just ONE Con Alma - but it is busy, and going global a couple times a month, too.
We talk with John about:
OH! Jazz - the new international jazz video producer/presenter that has been presenting livestream and recorded streams of top jazz artists from all over the world - and in the past month, just began live streams from the US — and the first location for US jazz on OH! is Pittsburgh.
Roger Humphries RH Factor and Howie Alexander did the first two event in December, and there is more to come
New Hours at Con Alma for weekends - an earlier start on Fridays and Saturday (5:30pm) and the late set ending by midnight.
New Residencies by notable veteran and upcoming jazz artists from Pittsburgh
More up and coming national touring artists putting Con Alma on their travel plans.
John’s trio from his Berklee days, Waking Vision, comes to Pittsburgh for the first time, including shows at Con Alma and for the Space Upstairs in Point Breeze.
We also share an interview from a few months ago with pianist, author and scholar Deanna Witkowski about Mary Lou Williams’ deep ties to Pittsburgh and faith. Deanna will lead a 6 week online course about Mary Lou for SWING U for Jazz at Lincoln Center starting February 7th.
The Scene - Thursday at 6 - Friday and Saturday at noon - Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Scott Hanley and John Shannon