We take a look and listen to sounds upcoming and celebrations to share on the Pittsburgh Jazz scene.
It includes the new CD Release event for Max Leak from MCG Jazz - unveiled on Tuesday at the Greer Cabaret Lounge, downtown.
That was on Tuesday, February 18 - the same day we learned of a major new jazz award for Roger Humphries - and also for the Pittsburgh international Jazz Festival
Just after his 81st Birthday a few days ago - Roger was notified he was to be recognized as a part of a new, $35 million dollar initiative by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation of New York and the Jazz Foundation of America. This new Jazz luminaries program was designed in close collaboration with a host of celebrated musician advisors, the inaugural class of 20 “Jazz Legacies Fellows” are the first of 50 artists to be named as fellows over the next four years.
The award includes, for Roger, a $100,000 award - plus additional funds for projects. It is kind of a Genius Grant for jazz - and Roger was delighted to “get some flowers while I’m still here.”
There’s also major grants to 8 jazz organizations in the US - including the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival ‘calling home’ jazz artists for its upcoming 25th anniversary.
We also visit with Max Leake, whose new 2 CD project on MCG Jazz records has just been released, featuring some of Pittsburgh’s own jazz luminaries, such as Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin, Mark Strickland, George C Jones, Thomas Wendt, Marty Ashby, Jay Ashby, George Heid III and Eric DeFade. It’s a diverse release that reflects Max Leake’s musical range, interests and how the “Threads” all connect.
Also on the show - sounds from The WDR Big Band from Cologne with guitarist Dave Stryker and conducted by Bob Mintzer - playing at MCG Jazz February 28 and March 1st. Also - a new release from Bob Mintzer and the Yellowjackets - playing at the Greer Cabaret Theater March 27th - Bob Mintzer will be in town a fair amount as we look towards Spring!.
We hear from two very popular new jazz releases - one from pianist George Cables and his newest release (I Hear Echoes). George is also in that first class of 20 Jazz Legacy Fellows. Plus, pianist Renee Rosnes and her new one, “Crossing Paths.” Renee will be back in Pittsburgh with the supergroup Artemis, Saturday May 10, also at the Greer Cabaret Theater - part of the new “Jazz Club” series by the Cultural Trust and MCG Jazz.
Then, we learned that saxophonist, composer and arranger Stephen Philip Harvey is coming back to Pittsburgh this weekend with his Octet for a performance at St Paul’s UMC in Allison Park Saturday night at 7.
There’s a lot to celebrate in Pittsburgh for lovers of jazz, even during these frigid weeks!
The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM.
Young Roger Humphries - Credit Teenie Harris
Roger Humphries at Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, studio during Horace Silver’s Song for My Father session, October 26, 1964. Photo by Francis Wolff and courtesy of Blue Note Records.
Roger Humphries
The 2025 Jazz Legacies Fellows are:
George Cables, 80, pianist, Queens, NY
Humble keyboard genius with impeccable technique and distinctive songbook
Valerie Capers, 89, pianist, Bronx, NY
Groundbreaking artist-educator melding classical and jazz
George Coleman, 89, saxophonist, New York, NY
Peerless soloist from fabled ‘50s Memphis scene and bridge between jazz eras
Akua Dixon, 76, cellist, Westchester, NY
String specialist who blazed new trails in all styles of music
Manty Ellis, 92, guitarist, Milwaukee, WI
Local icon known as the “Godfather of Milwaukee Jazz”
Tom Harrell, 78, trumpeter, New York, NY
Beloved bandleader-soloist with a deep emotional resonance
Billy Hart, 84, drummer, Montclair, NJ
Hero of jazz rhythm and esteemed mentor known to fans worldwide as “Jabali”
Bertha Hope, 88, pianist, New York, NY
Bebop torchbearer and pioneering advocate for women in jazz
Roger Humphries, 81, drummer, Pittsburgh, PA
Jazz phenom who committed career to nurturing his hometown scene
Carmen Lundy, 70, vocalist, Los Angeles, CA
Multi-instrumentalist and composer who sets a standard for artistic independence
Amina Claudine Myers, 82, pianist, New York, NY
Avant-garde legend firmly grounded in gospel and blues traditions
Roscoe Mitchell, 84, multireedist, Fitchburg, WI
Illustrious experimental composer and educator; Art Ensemble of Chicago mainstay
Johnny O’Neal, 68, pianist, New York, NY
A musicians’ musician with a “million-dollar touch”
Shannon Powell, 62, drummer, New Orleans, LA
New Orleans jazz ambassador known as the King of Tremé
Julian Priester, 89, trombonist, Seattle, WA
Multifaceted jazz virtuoso and invaluable educator
Dizzy Reece, 94, trumpeter, Bronx, NY
Enigmatic musical metaphysician whose influence spans generations
Herlin Riley, 68, drummer, New Orleans, LA
Irrepressible bandleader bringing the rhythm of New Orleans to the world
Michele Rosewoman, 71, pianist, New York, NY
Singular composer, bandleader and teacher fusing jazz, Cuban folkloric sounds
Dom Salvador, 87, pianist, Long Island, NY
Brazilian visionary who fuses samba, jazz and funk
Reggie Workman, 87, bassist, New York, NY
Master artist-educator; jazz luminary for nearly 70 years
The inaugural cohort of the Jazz Legacies Fellowship was selected by a distinguished panel of artists, scholars, and jazz professionals including Aja Burrell Wood, Brian Blade, Helen Sung, Jackie Harris, Jerome Jennings, Joe Farnsworth, Melanie Charles, Nicole Glover, Nicole Mitchell, Regina Carter, Robert Hurst, Suraya Mohamed, Theo Croker, Willard Jenkins, and Yosvany Terry.
To learn more about the Jazz Legacies Fellows and their work please visit: https://jazzfoundation.org/jazz-legacies-fellowship/.
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