August Wilson African American Cultural Center CEO and Artistic Director, Janis Burley, explains the many events of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. The Festival, that runs from September 19-22, includes two days of free events, ticketed happenings at the Cultural Center, the Jazz train from New York to Pittsburgh, and multiple community happenings.
The stars include Robert Glasper, Sean Jones, Chris Coles, Thomas Wendt, Shemekia Copeland, Vanisha Gould, Orrin Evans, Maysa, Howie Alexander, Marsha Ambrosius and many more. Janis compares Pittsburgh to other major jazz festivals in Detroit and Montreal, explains how the Festival will keep everyone safe. Janis also remembers her time working for Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and discusses Charles Bell, recently profiled in the New Yorker Magazine.
Charles Bell, is a Carnegie Mellon University grad, jazz pianist, and composer whose music was performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony. He still has family connections to Pittsburgh through his son , drummer Poogie Bell.
Visit https://pittsburghjazzfest.org/ to get the full itinerary of the weekends events, and find tickets!