Pitt Presents 46th Annual Jazz Seminar and Concert

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh Annual Jazz Seminar and Concert—one of the region’s premier jazz events—will run Oct. 31 through Nov. 5 and feature free lunchtime concerts, a jazz film screening, free on-campus seminars, and an outreach event in the Hill District, culminating Nov. 5 with a 7:30 p.m. concert at Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland.

Under the direction of renowned pianist, composer, and Pitt Jazz Studies Program Director Geri Allen, the following artists are expected to participate:

• Ambrose Akinmusire, award-winning trumpeter and composer;

• Dwayne Dolphin, a mainstay bassist on the Pittsburgh jazz scene who launched his career in the 1980s with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis;

• Perry Hughes, guitarist for Earl Klugh, Bob James, and Aretha Franklin;

• Dave McMurray, the multi-instrumentalist from Detroit who most recently performed on saxophone with Kid Rock;

• Jamison Ross, gifted drummer and vocalist and winner of the 2012 Thelonius Monk International Jazz Drums Competition;

• Fred Wesley, jazz-funk trombonist who was also music director and arranger for James Brown; and

• Cassandra Wilson, Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist.

S. Epatha Merkerson will serve as the emcee. An Emmy Award-winning actress, Merkerson is probably best known for her role as Lt. Anita Van Buren on NBC’s Law & Order. She also has worked extensively in the theatre; produced the award-winning documentary The Contradictions of Fair Hope; and currently plays hospital administrator Sharon Goodwin on NBC’s Chicago Med.

Concert Ticket Information

Orchestra or floor seats are $30 in advance, $35 at the door; general admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door; and tickets for students with valid ID are $10 in advance and at the door. Tickets are on sale at http://music.pitt.edu/tickets or through the University of Pittsburgh Stages box office by calling 412-624-PLAY (7529) or by visiting the box office on the 16th floor of the Cathedral of Learning Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m.

Pitt Jazz Ensemble Performance
(Free and open to the public)

Monday, Oct. 31
Noon
Lower Lounge, William Pitt Union
Performance by the full 22-piece Pitt Jazz Ensemble, made up of Pitt students and directed by Ralph Guzzi

Evening Jazz Presentations
(Free and open to the public)

Tuesday, Nov. 1
7 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, 650 Schenley Dr., Oakland
Artist Seminar: Dwayne Dolphin, bass
“Covering All Bassists”

Wednesday, Nov. 2
6 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Film Screening: ’Round Midnight
The film stars saxophonist Dexter Gordon and will be introduced by his widow Maxine Gordon.

Thursday, Nov. 3
7 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
“The History of Jazz”
Lecture and Q&A session by Maxine Gordon, scholar, researcher, and jazz archivist

Friday, Nov. 4
7 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
“The Business of Jazz”
Lecture and Q&A session by Linda Lorence, vice president of SESAC, the second-oldest performing-rights organization in the United States

Daytime Jazz Seminars
(Free and Open to the Public)

Friday, Nov. 4
Noon
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Cassandra Wilson, vocals
“Listen Like a Musician, Sing Like a Songbird”

1:30 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Fred Wesley, trombone
“The Role of Jazz in Funk”

3 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Perry Hughes, guitar
“My Life in Music”

4:30 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Jamison Ross, drums
“What Now?”

Saturday, Nov. 5
10 a.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Ambrose Akinmusire, trumpet
“A Letter to My Younger Self”

11 a.m.
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
S. Epatha Merkerson
“A Conversation with S. Epatha Merkerson”

Community Appearances
(Only the Hill House event is open to the public.)

Tuesday, Nov. 1
8 a.m.
Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School, 4060 Allequippa St., Oakland
University faculty members Ralph Guzzi and Yoko Suzuki will engage with Falk students.

Saturday, Nov. 5
10 a.m.
Hill House Association, Hill House Senior Center
2038 Bedford Ave., Hill District
Dwayne Dolphin, bass, and Dave McMurray, saxophone
“Jazz and the Quest for Individuality”

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