Marty Ashby and Renêe Govanucci recently returned from a trip to Japan with Ken Kimery and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. The experience brought to the fore some of the phenomenal jazz artists from Japan, and reminded Marty and Renée of the many artists who’ve visited and recorded at MCG Jazz in Pittsburgh.

The MCG Jazz Spotlight Hour - Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM

A look back to the past year in jazz in Pittsburgh, part one.

2019 had many great jazz performers in Pittsburgh spread their wings further, with new ensembles and new venues. Also, many great artists visited town with a lot of opportunity to not just perform in Pittsburgh, but to play with Pittsburghers. Plus, the first full year of an uninterrupted signal for WZUM at 101.1FM in Pittsburgh.

Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5.

Bill Strickland and Marty Ashby pull out favorites and stories about legends, friends and appreciators of MCG Jazz. Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday at 1pm.

Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci of MCG Jazz are Christmas music enthusiasts. You can hear just a tiny bit of that this week with a broad sweep of holiday sounds we’re sure you’ll enjoy from the likes of Tony Bennett, Vince Guaraldi, Herb Alpert, Barbra Streisand and much more - Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday at 1pm.

The MCG Jazz Spotlight shines on holiday recordings done for the MCG Jazz record label.

Bill Strickland shares his good wishes from the recent MCG Jazz Legends Induction event. We also visited with Don Aliquo Jr, Max Leake, Lou Stellute, George Jones, Anton DeFade, Jim Guerra, Rich Zabinski, Dwayne Dolphin, Kenny Blake, Chuck Spatafore, and a delightful interaction between Scott Hanley, Roger Humphries and Michele Bensen.

Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5.

"Spirit to Spirit: A Portrait of Pittsburgh Jazz in the New Century," with text by Abby Mendelson and photographs by David Aschkenas.

On this episode of the Spotlight, Marty Ashby visits with Abby and David for stories and music connected to the book and the Pittsburgh Jazz Scene of today

We talk with saxophonist and educator Antonio Hart, who brings his Sextet to the New Hazlett Theater for Kente Arts on December 7th. We hear some of Antonio’s music - and hear how he ALMOST became an Art Blakey Jazz Messenger.

Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5.