Pittsbugh Jazz and MCG Jazz for Black History Month

Pittsbugh Jazz and MCG Jazz for Black History Month

This week on an archive edition of the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, hosts Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci celebrate Black History Month with a focus on Pittsburgh Jazz artists who contributed greatly to the very course of jazz in America and the world.

Out of the many legends to choose from, the show features nine musicians who were spotlighted in the Pittsburgh jazz documentary film, “We Knew What We Had” including Billy Eckstine, Erroll Garner, Ray Brown, Stanley Turrentine, Ahmad Jamal, George Benson and Roger Humphries and more.

Friday and Sunday night at 6, and 1pm, Saturday on WZUM.

No Regrets: The Music & Spirit of Billie Holiday a new thirteen-part series on WZUM

An in-depth series exploring Holiday's musical genius and legacy, hosted by legendary jazz broadcaster Rhonda Hamilton.

Friday and Saturday nights at 7, Mondays at 11am on WZUM

Presented in 13 hour-long episodes, No Regrets examines the musician's early life, her move to Harlem, and first recordings with Benny Goodman, her rise to stardom, the evolution of her singing style, how her haunting rendition of "Strange Fruit" played a vital role in the birth of the Civil Rights movement, the many challenges she faced throughout her life and final years culminating with the beautiful and poignant recording "Lady in Satin."

A Visit with Dave King of the Bad Plus, John Shannon and More on the Scene

We visit with Drummer Dave King, cofounder of the Bad Plus, visiting City Winery February 6. We talk about the band as a trio that included pianist Ethan Iverson for 18 years, then, our friend Orrin Evans - and now, a pianoless quartet.

We also hear about the important night at the Village Vanguard in New York - when proprietress Lorraine Gordon gave them a night that turned into much more.

We also visit with guitarist John Shannon about his music and about what’s up at Pittsburgh’s nightly jazz place - Con Alma.

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