We take a look and listen to sounds upcoming and celebrations to share on the Pittsburgh Jazz scene.
Last week - 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 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is getting a major funding award, too!
This week - we visited with Reggie Watkins on his new CD going on National Release in March called “Rivers.”
We’ll have a sneak preview of that - and share a chat with Reggie - but he may not hear the show - because Reggie and Roger are heading to Seattle for a musical exchange with trumpeter Thomas Marriott, who was here last year to play for Pittsburgh!
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 a new release from vocalist Eugenie Jones and another from Jeff Goldblum and his “Mildred Snitzer Orchestra” with guest vocalist Scarlett Johansson!
The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM.
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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