Almost live from New York on the Scene this week - as we visited with jazz folks from around the world for the 2025 Jazz Congress hosted by Jazz At Lincoln Center. As is usually the case - Pittsburgh was well represented.

This year, Jazz Congress is back to being a two-day event - January 8th and 9th at Jazz at Lincoln Center at Columbus Circle on the southwest corner of Central Park in Manhattan.

This time on the program, we catch up with friends and connections, and spay special note to the guitarist Russell Malone who died in 204 at the age of 60. There was a social early-evening concert in tribute to Russel on Wednesday the 8th, and many familiar performers were on hand

An open letter of love to Russell Malone with Solo bass by Ron Carter. Add Donald Vega, piano (Carter and Vega were in the last trio Russell toured with when he passed);

Plus, Rich Germanson; Ed Cherry; TK blue. John Clayton; Tammy McCann; Kenny Barron; Diana Krall; Luke Sellick; Jason Brown; Monty Alexander; Testimonial from George Benson; Dave Stryker; Yotam Silberstien; Christian McBride;Benny Green; Ben Wolfe; Willie jones III; and ekep nkwelle.

It was a very special event.

Earlier that day, the Bruce Lundvall Award was presented to the remarkable bassist, composer, bandleader and arranger John Clayton (the award introduced and presented by John’s son, pianist Gerald Clayton). It was a remarkable moment, tempered later in the day by news that the wildfires in Southern California had consumed John Clayton's home and contents - including irreplaceable music and a bass that was bequeathed to John from Pittsburgh bass icon Ray Brown.

There’s much more to note, and we’ll share it soon - Hear a bunch of it on the radio, now!

The Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Sunday at 5pm, Friday and Saturday at noon on WZUM.

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