Jazz AGE The New

2020-2021

visit us at mcgjazz.org

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“We work together—

black and white, rich and poor,

it doesn’t matter.

Jazz is a great democratic society.

What makes jazz so powerful

is that it’s creative,

it allows you to speak

to people—

to everybody—

spirit to spirit.“

— Dwayne Dolphin

The new jazz age is now!For over 100 years jazz music has comforted and inspired us during challenging times. As we truly enter a New Jazz Age, together we will experience the joy and power of the music in new ways.

MCG Jazz is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for our patrons, musicians and staff as we have for over three decades.

Jazz is Life - and as we improvise our way forward together, I am pleased to present our 34th season.

Marty AshbyExecutive Producer

celebrate

the music season 34

We have created set lists & videos for the entire season located on each page,

so sit back, look, listen, and enjoy!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Kirk Whalum

s Keiko Matsui Saturday,

September 26, 20206:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

In a career spanning decades, Kirk Whalum has a sound that is uniquely his; it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener.

Keiko Matsui is one of the most dynamic and important voices in instrumental music. Acclaimed pianist, composer and humanitarian her transcendent and haunting melodies have long sought tobuild bridges.

Subscribe to season 34 today, call 412.322.0800

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Listen toKirk & KeikoHERE!

Poncho Sanche

zSaturday, October 10, 20206:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

For more than three decades, conguero Poncho Sanchez has stirred up a fiery stew of straightahead jazz, gritty soul music, and infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources. Throughout his career Sanchez has held aloft the torch lit by such innovators as Mongo Santamaría, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader, embraced by each of those icons and entrusted to carry forward the traditions of Latin Jazz.

“I’ve been doing this since way before the music became popular.”—poncho sanchez

Subscribe to our newsletter at mcgjazz.org for all updated information

Watch PonchoHERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Saturday, October 24, 20206:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

The Queen’s Cartoonistsplay music from classic cartoons and contemporary animation. The performances are synchronized to video projections of the original films and the band leads the audience through a world of virtuosic musicianship, multi-instrumental mayhem,and comedy.

Expect the unexpected from repertoire that includes the Golden Age of animation, cult cartoon classics, modern animation, and elements of a musical circus! The band has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, Mashable, and on NPR.

Masks available as needed, sanitation stations throughout the building

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Watch The Queen’sCartoonistsHERE!

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC

of RAY CHARLESfeaturing take 6, nnenna freelon,

clint holmes, and tom scottSunday,

November 8, 20206:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Ray Charles, a Georgia native son, was an American treasure who won every major honor from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From the Kennedy Honors to a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. He transcended racism and cultural upheavals, and spread his music based on Gospel, Blues, Jazz and Country around the world.

Boasting iconic tunes from the catalogue of the genius himself, the artists make each song a winning part of the tapestry that is Ray Charles’ music. Join us as we celebrate Ray’s music with an all-star cast of award winning performers.

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Subscribe to Season 34 today, call 412.322.0800

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Listen to the music HERE!

Django Festival All-Stars

Saturday, November 28, 20206:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Dorado Schmitt – Lead Guitar, ViolinSamson Schmitt – Lead GuitarAmati Schmitt – Lead GuitarLudovic Beier – Accordion, AccordinaPierre Blanchard – ViolinFrancko Mehrstein – Rhythm GuitarGino Roman – Bass

The Django Festival All-Stars bring the music of the great Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt fully into the 21st Century. Considered one of the greatest guitar players of all time and the first European jazz musician to make major contributions to the development of the jazz guitar genre, Reinhardt’s driving, swinging style became known as “Hot Jazz.” The All-Stars pay tribute to Reinhardt and honor the traditions of “French Gypsy Jazz,” adding their own creative interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions with stunning virtuosity.

The Django Festival All-Stars are following in the footsteps of the Hot Jazz tradition of the 1930s and 1940s and moving it forward with original compositions.

Subscribe to our newsletter at mcgjazz.org for all updated information

WatchThe All-Stars HERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Holiday StompTHE HOT SARDINESSaturday, December 5, 20206:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Fueled by the belief that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul, The Hot Sardines are on a mission to make old sounds new again and prove that joyful music can bring people together in a disconnected world.

In the last few yearsThe Hot Sardines have been featured at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival, have sold out NYC venues from Joe’s Pub to the Bowery Ballroom and more than 150 tour dates from Chicago to London, and have released two albums on Universal Music Classics to critical raves and a No.1 slot on the iTunes Jazz chart in the U.S. and internationally.

quality is timeless. just ask the hot sardines.

Free outdoor adjacent parking

Listen to music HERE!

Listen to The Hot Sardines HERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

The Nutcracker

Sugar Hill

conducted by joh

n clayton

with the pittsburgh

jazz orchestra

Friday, December 11, 2020

7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

7:30 p.m.

A sneak-peak of “The Nutcracker of Sugar Hill”, a dance story about the magic of jazz and finding your YOU.

Select scenes from the overall musical will be showcased with new arrangements and dance set to the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

John Clayton is a natural born multitasker. The multiple roles in which he excels — composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, and yes, extraordinary bassist — garner him a number of challenging assignments and commissions. With a GRAMMY on his shelf and eight additional nominations, artists such as Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, and Charles Aznavour vie for a spot on his crowded calendar.

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NEW, no-touch admission to our music halland NEW, entrance/exit options

Listen to the musicHERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

OF DAVE BRUBECKBrubeck Brothers play Brubeck:

Saturday, January 30, 20216:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Dave Brubeck his son’s Chris and Dan Brubeck, who performed and recorded with their father since the 1970s, curate a multimedia show with their own Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Through stories told by his sons and music performed by the Quartet, the show invites audiences to travel along the timeline of Dave’s extraordinary life and career.

Visit us at mcgjazz.org, follow us @mcgjazz

Watch the Brubeck BrothersHERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Dee Dee Bridgewater with Bill Charlap

Friday, February 12, 20217:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m.

Over the course of a multifaceted career spanning four decades, GRAMMY and Tony Award-winning jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. Ever the fearless voyager, explorer, pioneer and keeper of tradition, the three-time GRAMMY winner recently won the GRAMMY for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee.

One of the world’s premier jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many leading artists of our time, ranging from jazz masters Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand.

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Subscribe to Season 34 today, call 412.322.0800

Listen to Dee Dee and Bill HERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

David Sanborn Saturday, February 27, 20216:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Universally known as one of the most iconic saxophonists of the current age, David Sanborn is a jazz musician at heart, but has transcended genres and musical boundaries throughout his entire career. Rolling Stone says, ‘Among the great saxophonists of the past four decades, David Sanborn has earned an identity all his own. He’s jazz, he’s funk, he’s soul, he’s pop, he’s blues, he’s rock. Most remarkably, he excels in each of these genres with a voice that is forceful and tender, sensuous and subtle.’ Sanborn has released 24 albums, won six GRAMMY Awards, and has had eight gold albums and one platinum. He continues to be one of the most active musicians of his genre and an inspiration to countless other musicians.

Returning to his passion for jazz, Sanborn recently assembled a stunning program of straight-ahead jazz tunes for his new quintet. Looking forward to sharing his approach and interpretation on stages soon, Sanborn is excited to collaborate and feature a band of saxophone, trombone, keys, bass, and drums.

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NEW, no-touch admission to our music hallLivestreaming options available, info at mcgjazz.org

Listen to David HERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Patti Austin

Saturday, March 13, 20216:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Since breaking through to solo success in the mid 1970s, GRAMMY winner Patti Austin has become one of the world’s most popular and versatile vocalists. A mainstay on the Billboard charts, she has 19 solo albums to her credit and has performed her award nominated hit songs on both the Grammy’s and the Oscars.The ultimate Jazz/R&B/Pop crossover artist, in 2008 Patti received a GRAMMY Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her critically acclaimed “Avant Gershwin,” a Top Five hit on the Billboard Jazz Chart. She shows off her versatility in the R&B/Pop/Gospel styled 2011 release titled, “Sound Advice.” A volume two of “Sound Advice” is on the way with previously released hits included. “The Excellence Of Ellington”, the follow up to the GRAMMY winning “Avant Gershwin” will soon be released as a Patti Austin vocal tribute to ”The Duke.” She will also soon release a very funky take on some of the world’s classic fairy tales.

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Free outdoor adjacent parking

Listen to PattiHERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

World Music &

Food Festival

Featuring sandeep

das: soundscapes o

f india,

gabriel espinosa o

ctet,

victor provo

st group.

Friday, March 19, 2021

7:00 p.m.

Saturday,March 20, 2021

7:00 p.m.

This unique event will feature artists from India, Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Music by Tabla player Sandeep Das with

Sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan, Bassist Gabriel Espinosa and Steel Pannist Victor Provost.

After the show, stay and enjoy cuisine from india, mexico and the caribbean in our dining hall!

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Subscribe to our newsletter at mcgjazz.org for all updated information

Watch Sandeep HERE!

Watch Victor HERE!

Watch Gabriel HERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

New York Voices & Ivan Lins

Saturday, April 17, 20216:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

“Ivan Lins songs powerfully attest to the global reach of his music.”— Los Angeles Times

“New York Voices lives up to its reputation as the most exciting vocal ensemble in current jazz...to collect such quality voices in one group is rare enough, yet the real trick of New York Voices is how well they mesh…”— Boston Herald

Visit us at mcgjazz.org, follow us @mcgjazz Subscribe today, call 412.322.0800

Listen to the music HERE!

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Saturday, May 1, 2021

6:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

JOBIM WITH STRINGS

presented in part

nership with

pittsburgh sy

mphony orchestra

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and MCG Jazz celebrate the music of Brazilian icon, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Members of the PSO strings and woodwind sections, Andres Franco, PSO Resident Conductor, who will share the podium with the PSO’s new Principal Pops Conductor and Trumpeter, Byron Stripling, will be joined by guest soloists: vocalist Maucha Adnet and percussionist Duduka da Fonseca, each a native of Brazil, both of whom worked closely with Jobim. Additional special guests include, pianist Tamir Hendelman, trombonist Jay Ashby and guitarist Marty Ashby.

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Subscribe to Season 34 today, call 412.322.0800

visit us at mcgjazz.org

Listen to the music HERE!

Subscriber benefits & informationORDER SUBMISSIONOrders can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or called into the box office. We strongly recommend emailing your orders to npesanka@manchesterbidwell.org, as that is the most efficient way to receive orders at this time. If you are mailing your order in, please address it to the attention of “Nick” or “Box Office.”

RECYCLING YOUR UNUSED TICKETSubscribers may turn in tickets for resale and receive a donation acknowledgement. Please call the box office no later than one business day before your scheduled performance at 412-322-0800.

EXCHANGE POLICYAs a subscriber to the MCG Jazz Concert Season, you are able to exchange your tickets prior to the scheduled event for another performance within the same season (subject to ticket availability). To exchange your tickets, please send them to the MCG Jazz Box Office with your requested concert choice or call 412-322-0800.

SINGLE TICKETS – On sale August 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.Additional tickets to individual concerts may be purchased during the season by calling the box office at 412-322-0800 or online at www.mcgjazz.org. Subscribers receive a discounted regular price ticket all season (discount given only by calling the Box Office).

GROUP TICKETSPlease call 412-322-0800 for pricing on groups of 10 or more.

BOX OFFICE HOURSMonday – Friday; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.(Hours vary on concert weekends)

Gold Record Membership - $100

Benefits:

• MCG Jazz program book listing• 10% discount on MCG Jazz label CDs• Exclusive member & subscriber single ticket presale• Subscription to the quarterly Manchester Bidwell Newsletter

Platinum Record Membership - $250

All Gold Level Member benefits, plus:

• Reserved parking at all MCG Jazz events held at our facility• Free MCG Jazz Tote Bag• Access to complimentary jazz magazines

Diamond Record Membership - $500

All Gold & Platinum Level Member benefits, plus:

• An Invite for two to an open sound check• Behind the scenes tour of MCG Jazz Archive• A free MCG Jazz CD, download, or T-Shirt

mcg jazz club membership tiers & benefits

• NEW, no-touch admission to our music hall and NEW, entrance/exit options

• Masks available as needed, sanitation stations throughout the building

• Livestreaming options available, info at mcgjazz.org

• Free outdoor adjacent parking

visit us at mcgjazz.org

For information and to order email Nick at npesanka@manchesterbidwell.orgOR PRINT PAGE 18 AND PAGE 19, ADD INFORMATION and mail to: MCG Jazz • 1815 Metropolitan Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15233 • Attn: BOX OFFICE

visit us at mcgjazz.org

For information and to order email Nick at npesanka@manchesterbidwell.orgOR PRINT PAGE 18 AND PAGE 19, ADD INFORMATION and mail to: MCG Jazz • 1815 Metropolitan Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15233 • Attn: BOX OFFICE

THE NEW

JAZZ AGE

visit us at mcgjazz.org

The new jazz age

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild1815 Metropolitian StreetPittsburgh, PA 15233-2233

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LONGTIME SPONSORS:

MCG JAZZ PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS.AND MID ATLANTIC ARTS FOUNDATION.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MEDIA SPONSORS:

visit us at mcgjazz.org