Dave Burrell, Pitt Archives
The 52nd annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concerts, which runs Oct. 31 through Nov. 5, 2022, will feature performances by national artists and regional musicians, a gift to the Pitt Jazz Archives, a jazz film, panel discussion, community workshop, a presentation by a visiting scholar and five concerts. All events, including the concerts, are free to the public.
Pianist Dave Burrell will perform with his own trio. Saxophonist Tia Fuller will lead a group of Pittsburgh-area musicians, be featured at the Pitt Jazz Faculty concert, and host a community workshop.
Nicole Mitchell
Tia Fuller
“With the theme of ‘We are All Jazz Messengers,’ our event seeks to invoke the spirit of Pittsburgh drummer and bandleader Art Blakey, whose Jazz Messengers were devoted to spreading the word of jazz and its powers to enlighten and delight audiences,” according to Aaron Johnson, assistant professor and interim director of the Jazz Studies Program.
Screening Wednesday , November 2
Pitt Jazz Week events include the following:
KICKOFF PERFORMANCE
Monday, Oct. 31
12 noon
Lower Lounge, William Pitt Union
3959 Fifth Ave.
Pitt Jazz Ensemble Concert
The student-based Jazz Ensemble will perform under the direction of Ralph Guzzi.
EVENING JAZZ PRESENTATIONS
Tuesday, Nov. 1
8 p.m.
Bellefield Hall Auditorium
315 S. Bellefield Ave.
52nd Annual Pitt Jazz Concert
The Dave Burrell Trio, featuring Hamid Drake (drums) and Joshua Abrams (bass) along with Nicole Mitchell (flute).
There will be a presentation to Pitt of the Dave Burrell Archive at this event.
Wednesday, Nov. 2
7:30 p.m.
Cathedral of Learning, Room G24
Film Screening: We Knew What We Had: The Greatest Jazz Story Never Told (2018)
Written and directed by Jeff Sewald. Producer Marty Ashby will introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.
Thursday, Nov. 3
7:30 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
650 Schenley Drive
Chamber Ensemble Concert followed by Dave Burrell Panel
Conceptions and Expansions: A Discussion of the Music of Dave Burrell
A panel of jazz musicians and scholars will include Burrell; his wife, Monika Larsson; John Szwed; David Murray; Ted Daniel; and Pitt Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Michael Heller.
Friday, Nov. 4
7:30 p.m.
Bellefield Hall Auditorium
Feature Artist Concert with Tia Fuller
Fuller will perform with Pittsburgh musicians Roger Humphries (drums), Alton Merrell (piano) and Jeff Grubbs (bass).
Saturday, Nov. 5
7:30 p.m.
Bellefield Hall Auditorium
Pitt Jazz Faculty Concert, featuring Tia Fuller.
Faculty performers will include Mark Strickland (guitar), Irene Monteverde (piano), Ralph Guzzi (trumpet), Yoko Suzuki (saxophone), James Johnson III (drums). Non-faculty bassist Tony DePaolis will join them in a performance of the music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
DAYTIME SEMINAR
Friday, Nov. 4
1:00 p.m.
Cathedral of Learning, Room 213
Visiting Scholar Series – Fumi Okiji “Aesthetic form in musique informelle and the new thing”
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Saturday, Nov. 5
2 p.m.
Afro-American Music Institute
7131 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh
Workshop with Tia Fuller, hosted by James Johnson, Jr.