The Brandee Younger Trio comes to the New Hazlett Theater on the Northside for Kente Arts, Saturday night, March 22nd. We had the chance to visit with the very busy jazz harp innovator this week about her musical journey, which has also included classical music, the flute and the trombone.
Brandee has worked with cultural icons including Common, Lauryn Hill, and John Legend. Brandee Younger made history by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. The Brandee Younger Trio brings swinging sounds of harp to the New Hazlett Theater on March 22nd, presented by Kente Arts.
Also on the program - music from Sean Jones - the Ohio native with strong Pittsburgh roots brings his group the Baltimore Collective to the New Hazlett Theater for Kente Arts April 26th.
Former director of Jazz at WVU, Jared Sims has a new Organ trio out - and he’s playing at Con Alma with that Organ trio - Friday March 21st. Jared has moved back to the Boston region, where he studied years ago, and he says he’s having a wonderful time - and playing a lot of Baritone Sax.
Another West Virginia connection - Trombonist Reggie Watkins - also has a new release out - we’ll hear the long awaited single from it, Ritual. The official Release date is March 28th - and Reggie has a gig to celebrate on March 29th at his adopted home of Carnegie at the music hall at the Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall.
Bob Mintzer and the Yellowjackets - play at the Greer Cabaret Theater March 27th. That’s a part of a new jazz series at the Greer Cabaret- which brings the female supergroup Artemis to Pittsburgh May 10th led by pianist Renee Rosnes and featuring Ingrid Jensen, trumpet and Nicole Glover on tenor sax. Also, Stefon Harris and Blackout come to the Greer Cabaret Theater, Downtown - April 12 for two shows.
Also in Jazz Appreciation month, saxophonist Joshua Redman and his group with vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa at MCG Jazz April 5th.
Spyro Gyra is at the Oaks Theater in Oakmont, Sunday March 23rd.
Also - new sounds from the WDR Big Band - just heard at MCG Jazz at the start of the month — the WDR new release is on MCG Jazz Records. Called “Bluegrass,” it features Darol Anger and Mike Marshall in a rare big band date with volin and mandolin, plus the sax of Bob Mintzer leading the band.
We hear the new one from vocalist Samara Joy, Max Leake and also strings with the Occidental Gypsy - playing Con Alma, March 29.
The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM.
Jared Sims