The much anticipated trailer for the documentary on jazz violinist Billy Bang entitled Billy Bang: Long Over Due. Directed by award winning director Oscar Sanders this film will be released in 2012.

Billy Bang Video Trailer on YouTube

New York City jazz musicians deserve a retirement like anyone else. Sign their petition to help them earn pension payments from NYC jazz clubs — at no cost to the clubs or musicians. Go to their website to find out more and sign the petition: http://justiceforjazzartists.org

International Jazz Day to be Celebrated with All-Star Concerts in Paris, New Orleans and New York Video Streams of all 3 Concerts Live on Jazz Day and Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

On Friday, April 27, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock will kick-off the first annual International Jazz Day with a full day of events including live performances, Master Classes, and discussions featuring Marcus Miller, Barbara Hendricks, Hugh Masekela, Dee Dee Bridgewater, plus much more. Please visit http://unesco.org for complete details.

The day will conclude in a concert of jazz luminaries including: Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Swan Berger, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Igor Butman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gerald Clayton, Klaus Doldinger, Dominique Fillon, Antonio Hart, Barbara Hendricks, Nicole Slack Jones, Manu Katché, Eric Lagnini, Bireli Lagrene, Jean Felix Lalanne, Nguyen Le, Lionel Loueke, Michel El Malem, Tania Maria, Hugh Masekela, Marcus Miller, China Moses, Michael Rodriguez, Isphar Sarabski, Ben Williams, and many others. John Beasley will serve as Musical Director.

JazzDay.com will be presenting Live Video Broadcasts of these performances:
April 27 - UNESCO, Paris: 8pm(CET)/2pm(EDT)
April 30 - Congo Square, New Orleans: 8am(EDT)
April 30 - United Nations, New York: 7:30pm(EDT)

The concert will be streamed live at: JazzDay.com and MonkInstitute.org

The JazzROYalty Series

Featuring Roy Ayers

Saturday, April 28 - 8:00 PM

The New Hazlett Theater

$25 - $30  (At the Door)

Ticket Information in the Left Column

Vibraphonist/vocalist Roy Ayers is among the best-known, most-loved and respected jazz/R&B artists on the music-scene today. Now in his fourth decade in the music business, Ayers, known as the Godfather of Neo-soul, continues to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers. In the ’60s he was an award-winning jazz vibraphonist, and transformed into a popular R&B bandleader in the ’70s/’80s. Today, the dynamic music man is an iconic figure still in great demand and whose music has been sampled by music industry heavyweights, including Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac, and Ice Cube.
Ayers recently recorded with hip-hop artist Talib Kweli (produced by Kanye West) and jazz/R&B singer Will Downing. Many of Ayers’ songs including “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,”, “Searchin”, “Running Away” have been frequently sampled and remixed by DJ’s worldwide.

Directions to the New Hazlett Theater

OPEK Plays the Music of Miles Davis

New Hazlett Theater
Allegheny Square East
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Fri. May 25, 2012 at 8:00pm

Event Link

Miles Davis' contributions to American music can hardly be understated. He was mainstream yet controversial, influential yet individual, his music both ear-catching and challenging. OPEK, Pittsburgh's most interesting collective of creative improvising musicians, will take on this great music. Expect to hear works ranging from the early "Birth of the Cool" sessions all the way to Miles' later funk-influenced grooves. OPEK will put its own stamp on this music, just as it was intended to be played.

 

The Mostly Miles OPEK Ensemble Is:
Ben Opie: alto saxophone, electronics, etc
Lou Stellute: tenor saxophone
Rick Matt: baritone saxophone
Kevin MacManus: trombone
Ralph Guzzi: trumpet
Chuck Austin: trumpet
Ian Gordon: trumpet
John Purse: guitar
Daryl Fleming: guitar, fuel can
George Jones: congas, percussion
Paul Thompson: bass
Lindsey Horner: bass, bass clarinet
David Throckmorton: drums

A Center for Dynamic Art, History & Culture

One of only two major arts institutions in the world named for Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright and Pittsburgh native August Wilson, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture engages regional and national audiences in its mission of preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating and shaping the art, culture and history of African Americans utilizing the rich history, legacy and culture of African Americans from Western Pennsylvania as a foundation.

Check out the website for all upcoming events: AugustWilsonCenter.org

980 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3736 412.258.2700

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CJ's in the Strip:
Restaurant & Lounge

ROGER's JAZZ JAM SESSION with Roger Humphries and the RH Factor quintet and jazz legends of Pittsburgh

Every Thursday Night
8:00PM to 12:00AM

Price: No Cover Charge 2901 - 2911 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.cjsinthestrip.com www.rogerhumphries.com

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Jazz Night at Savoy

Every Monday Night

with the Roger Humphries Trio

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2623 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

412.281.0660

SavoyPGH.com

Google Map Link

The Thunderbird Cafe & Lounge

The Thunderbird Cafe & Lounge is one of the premier live music venues in Pittsburgh. Located in historic Lawrenceville on Butler Street, The Thunderbird Cafe features top national artists as well as established & up and coming local bands.

Our state of the art sound system, and comfortable atmosphere make the Thunderbird Cafe a great place to enjoy live music, good food and drinks, and friends.

4023 Butler Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15201 | 412-682-0177 | Google Map Link

ThunderbirdCafe.net

James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy is a family owned bar and restaurant, located in Pittsburgh's Historic Deutschtown. On the main level of this beautiful 19th century building, enjoy lunch or dinner from our eclectic menu, where old world meets new. There's something for everyone, from wings to exciting entrees.

If you're a beer lover, this is the place for you! Our beer list features local breweries, a multitude of craft beer, and your tried and true domestic favorites. During the evening, come on down to the Speakeasy to enjoy your favorite cocktail, grab a bite to eat and listen to live, local jazz, blues and acoustic artists

422 FORELAND STREET | PITTSBURGH, PA 15212 | 412.904.3335 | Google Map Link

JamesStreetGastroPub.com