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Aurora Jazz Fusion at Steel Mill Saloon 4/28
In 1979, Marty Ashby started a band called AURORA JAZZ FUSION to perform the contemporary jazz cross-over music of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Jazz was mixing with rock, funk, Latin and R&B which gave musicians the opportunity to explore unique connections and seek out new possibilities. This new iteration of AURORA, with veteran and younger musicians, allows the band to take a fresh look at the music from this important time in the evolution of jazz. AURORA focuses on playing instrumental jazz by such artists as Jeff Lorber, Chick Corea, The Brecker Brothers, The Crusaders, Weather Report as well as renditions of Freddie Hubbard’s “Super Blue” and Grover Washington Jr.’s “Winelight.”
AURORA is Marty Ashby on guitar, Mike Tomaro on saxophones, Jeff Bush on trombone, Craig Davis on keyboards, Brian Stahurski on bass and Hugo Cruz on drums.
Arturo Sandoval at MCG Jazz
Ten-time GRAMMY Award-winner and 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Arturo Sandoval is one of the world’s foremost guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. One of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time, Sandoval has been seen by millions at the Oscars, GRAMMY Awards and Billboard Music Awards in addition to his extensive touring schedule.
Find out more »Voice of Drums Featuring Hugo Cruz and Caminos
Join me as I guest with Hugo Cruz and Caminos at Kingfly Spirits.
Hugo Cruz – Percussion
Michael Bernabe – Keyboards
Denzel Chismar-Oliver – Bass
Cumberland Jazz Society Jazz Crawl
Aurora Jazz Fusion is performing during the Cumberland Jazz Society’s Annual Mardi Gras Jazz Crawl in Downtown Cumberland, MD on May 12, at the Loft 129 at 8:00pm.
Find out more »Aurora Jazz Fusion at Steel Mill Saloon 5/19
In 1979, Marty Ashby started a band called AURORA JAZZ FUSION to perform the contemporary jazz cross-over music of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Jazz was mixing with rock, funk, Latin and R&B which gave musicians the opportunity to explore unique connections and seek out new possibilities. This new iteration of AURORA, with veteran and younger musicians, allows the band to take a fresh look at the music from this important time in the evolution of jazz. AURORA focuses on playing instrumental jazz by such artists as Jeff Lorber, Chick Corea, The Brecker Brothers, The Crusaders, Weather Report as well as renditions of Freddie Hubbard’s “Super Blue” and Grover Washington Jr.’s “Winelight.”
AURORA is Marty Ashby on guitar, Mike Tomaro on saxophones, Jeff Bush on trombone, Max Leake on keyboards, Brian Stahurski on bass and Hugo Cruz on drums.
Innersense Sound Healing Event
Sound healing uses a variety of instruments and vocal tones to create vibrational frequencies that balance and heal mind, body and spirit. Sound frequencies work to break up blocks within our bodies allowing our energy to flow unimpeded while the cells in our body work to repair themselves and bring you back to physical and emotional wellness. The goal of sound therapy is ultimately balance and restoration. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket.
The event is at, Three Treasures Health
5822 Irish Town Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102
School of Swing at MCG
School of Swing is back, LIVE at MCG Jazz! All 3rd and 4th grade students are invited to experience this 50 minute interactive and educational concert, in-person. Throughout the concert students will learn about the different elements of music Harmony, Melody and Rhythm and how they relate to jazz. Students will be turned into a human drum machine, sing a scat solo, and get groovy on the dance floor. Come experience jazz, maybe for the first time. Learn about the music’s history and how Jazz uses creativity, improvisation and teamwork.
All performances are free and will be held on May 23, 2023 at MCG Jazz 1815 Metropolitan Street Pittsburgh PA 15233. Use the form in the link to register for one of the following performances on May 23, 9:45am, 11:30am, or 1pm.
https://www.mcgjazz.org/schoolofswing2023
Brandee Younger Trio at MCG Jazz
A leading voice of the harp, Brandee Younger recently made history at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards as the first Black female solo artist nominated in the Best Instrumental Composition category for her song “Beautiful Is Black.” The mesmerizing track is from her 2021 critically well-received major label debut album, Somewhere Different, that also received a 2022 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental. Over her career Ms. Younger has performed and recorded across countless genres with artists including John Legend, The Roots, Lauryn Hill, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter, and Charlie Haden. Additionally her original composition “Hortense” was featured in the Netflix Concert Documentary, Beyoncé: Homecoming and in 2019 the tireless musician was selected to perform her original music as a featured performer for Quincy Jones and Steve McQueens’ “Soundtrack of America.”
Ms. Younger’s ability to seamlessly inject the harp into arrangements and venues where it has historically been overlooked is a testament to her deep love for and exemplary command of the instrument. In addition to performing, she is on the teaching artist faculty at New York University and The New School College of Performing Arts in New York City.
Brandee Younger- Harp
Rashann Carter – Bass
Allan Mednard – Drums
Find out more »A Night to Remember: Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Comes to Carnegie Carnegie Hall
The Andrew Carnegie Free Library is pulling out all the stops for its 2023 annual benefit! It will be the last benefit before the Music Hall closes for renovations in January 2024.
Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra is comprised of the region’s finest and busiest jazz musicians. However, this fabulous 17-piece ensemble rarely performs as a full band. In terms of both PJO’s sound and size, the acoustically superb Music Hall is the rare perfect fit! Anqwenique Wingfield, one of Pittsburgh’s most versatile vocalists — equally at home interpreting jazz, opera, classical music and soul — joins PJO for the evening.
Almost as memorable as the concert, a party follows throughout the ACFL&MH’s 35,000 sq. ft historic landmark facility – in the Lincoln Gallery and the Studio. If the night is fine – and why wouldn’t it be – the party can spill out into the lovely Library Park. Tempting food and drink are part of the festivities. If you come early, join us at the Library’s circulation desk for a pre-concert glass of prosecco.
June 10 supports the Library & Music Hall’s wide range of services, programs and performances, while getting us that much closer to “Completing the Carnegie Carnegie.” We’ll be a little more dressed up than usual, but A Night to Remember also showcases the magic that can be found on a day in and day out basis.
Please join us!
TICKETS
$150 for reserved orchestra seats ($100 tax-deductible)
$75 for open balcony seating ($25 tax-deductible)
Onsite parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We have also arranged for free parking and shuttle service from the Nortek Building located at 102 Broadway Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. To reach this additional parking location, cross Mansfield at the light. It is a five-story white building next to WesBanco. A free shuttle will take you to our building from this parking lot and return you to your car after the event.
Find out more »Aurora Jazz Fusion at Steel Mill Saloon 6/16
In 1979, Marty Ashby started a band called AURORA JAZZ FUSION to perform the contemporary jazz cross-over music of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Jazz was mixing with rock, funk, Latin and R&B which gave musicians the opportunity to explore unique connections and seek out new possibilities. This new iteration of AURORA, with veteran and younger musicians, allows the band to take a fresh look at the music from this important time in the evolution of jazz. AURORA focuses on playing instrumental jazz by such artists as Jeff Lorber, Chick Corea, The Brecker Brothers, The Crusaders, Weather Report as well as renditions of Freddie Hubbard’s “Super Blue” and Grover Washington Jr.’s “Winelight.”
AURORA is Marty Ashby on guitar, Mike Tomaro on saxophones, Jeff Bush on trombone, Max Leake on keyboards, Brian Stahurski on bass and Hugo Cruz on drums.
MCG Jazz presents Frank Vignola with guest Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. at Pittsburgh Playhouse
Steve Smith and Vital Information at MCG Jazz
Drummer Steve Smith has been touring and recording with his all-star group Vital Information since 1983, making 2023 the 40th Anniversary of the group. Steve Smith and Vital Information celebrate the occasion with a newly recorded double CD release entitled “TIME FLIES.”
The newest line-up of Vital Information features virtuoso musicians with vast experience. Keyboardist Manuel Valera, a Guggenheim Fellow and Grammy nominated artist, was born, and raised in Havana, Cuba and is now living in NYC. Manuel plays and records with many of the New York jazz elite like Antonio Sanchez, Dafnis Prieto and John Patitucci. Electric Bassist Janek Gwizdala, originally from London, currently living in Los Angeles, records and tours with Peter Erskine, Mike Stern and Randy Brecker and is one of the most in-demand bass players in the world. Both new members of Vital Information are bandleaders and recording artists with multiple recordings to their names. The new trio version of Steve Smith and Vital Information collectively creates a powerhouse sound. Although the band is rooted in the straight-ahead swing of bebop, at times the group explores exotic time-signatures from the world of South Indian Carnatic music and have arranged adventurous funk-driven renditions of jazz standards. Seeing Steve Smith and Vital Information live-in concert is a perfect opportunity to experience their high-level musicianship, sense of joy onstage and collective virtuosic improvisation.
Find out more »MCG Jazz Presents Jeff Kashiwa at Pittsburgh Playhouse
Samara Joy at MCG Jazz
With a voice as smooth as velvet, Samara Joy’s star seems to rise with each performance. Winner of the 2023 GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album. Following her winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Joy has dug deep to discover her jazz roots without losing sight of the innate simplicity that makes her sound shine. Her first album announces the arrival of a young artist destined for greatness.
Find out more »
Danilo Perez’s Global Messengers
Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers project advances a mission which is wholly relevant today. When discussing the healing properties of music, the Panamanian jazz pianist, humanitarian, and educator speaks of “recovering the function of the artist as a tool to redirect humanity in a positive direction.” The Global Messengers came to fruition through the culture and experiences of its members, hailing from North and Central America, Europe, and Western Asia. Pérez uses their talents to make an impression through beautiful melodies and strikingly syncopated rhythms.
Danilo Perez – Piano
Farayi Malek – Vocalist
Angela Varo – Violin
Naseem Alatrash – Cello
Ian Ashby – Bass
Giorgos Lernis – Percussion
Bahar Badieitabar – Oud
Find out more »
MCG Jazz Presents Aurora Jazz Fusion at Reservoir of Jazz
Reservoir of Jazz – FREE!
Sponsored by Highland Park Community Council, RAD, and WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh
MCG Jazz presents Aurora
August 20, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Highland Park
5 – 7 p.m., HIGHLAND PARK, Highland Avenue and Reservoir Drive
Find out more »Innersense Sound Healing Event
Sound healing uses a variety of instruments and vocal tones to create vibrational frequencies that balance and heal mind, body and spirit. Sound frequencies work to break up blocks within our bodies allowing our energy to flow unimpeded while the cells in our body work to repair themselves and bring you back to physical and emotional wellness. The goal of sound therapy is ultimately balance and restoration. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket.
The event is at, Three Treasures Health
5822 Irish Town Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102
