John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born in Cheraw, SC, October 21, 1917. His virtuosity on trumpet was immediately recognized and through teacher recommendations, received a scholarship to Laurinberg Institute (NC), where he studied music with esteemed educator, Philmore "Shorty" Hall. Upon his exit, Dizzy headed to Philadelphia, embarking on a professional musical career. His ability had been realized by many, but not appreciated by all. As a member of the Cab Calloway Orchestra, Dizzy's…

"Out To Lunch", a daily three hour broadcast of Jazz music provided by radio station WKCR, recently presented the music of Pittsburgh Jazz great, Ahmad Jamal. Host, Phil Schaap, profiled Jamal's career, highlighting his early Argo recordings (1956-62). Pittsburgh's Jazz legacy was cited and recognized as a major contributor to the Jazz narrative. The music was spectacular and the content informative, but why take my word for it? Partially into the broadcast, Phil was informed the great Ahmad…

The Blues Orphans: Rock, polka, punk, bluegrass and just about everything else…

Dance Inspired by ‘A Love Supreme’ to Open New York Live Arts Season

Friends! I hope this message meets you well!! So the world sometimes seems to be off its nut a bit more than usual lately.... and so to not get too crazy myself I'm just staying super busy. I'm a voice teacher now, I teach youth voice lessons at Afro American Music Institute and We Rock Workshop. I'm performing with my jazz band The Cultural District and also with The Lemington Gospel Chorale. I have been spending a bulk of my time working super hard on this project I've been building with…

The birthday celebrations of Lester Young (b. 8/27) and Charlie Parker (b. 8/29) will be the focus of WKCR's annual Lester Young/Charlie Parker Birthday Broadcast. The musical party begins on Sunday, 8/27 and continues NON-STOP thru Tuesday, 8/29. Along with exceptional music, theme based presentations will be hosted by Jazz historian and educator, Phil Schaap. His broadcast times are as follows: Sunday, 8/27 - 9a-1p (Lester Young), Monday, 8/28 - Noon - 5p (Lester Young) and Tuesday, 8/29 -…

THE ERIC JOHNSON TRIO

"Jazz Returns To The Hood"

All Musicians and Vocalists Invited to…

From Ireland To The Hill District, One Drummer Hopes You Haven’t Forgotten Pittsburgh’s Jazz Greats

Judith Light and Billy Porter pose for a photo at the Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Awards on May 19, 2017 at the Purnell Center for the Arts at Carnegie Mellon University in Oakland. Light was awarded with the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award and Porter was awarded an Alumni Achievement Award. 1 Judith Light, Billy Porter return to Pittsburgh to accept Carnegie Mellon alumni awards.…

The Joy of Learning to Play an Instrument Later in Life

More people in their 50s and 60s are finding that taking up a musical instrument or singing improves their lives in many ways…