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ERIC BENET Added to Pittsburgh Jazz Fest

6/10/2025

Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter
ERIC BENÉT
Just Added to the Saturday Lineup
of the 15th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
September 18 – 21, 2025

Saturday and Sunday Concerts Are Free on Liberty Avenue
in Front of the August Wilson African Cultural Center

PITTSBURGH, PA - June 4, 2025 - Vocalist/songwriter Eric Benét, who has been one of the most soulful and enduring R&B artists since the ‘90s with his chart topping hits, vibrant videos and intriguing collaborations, is newly added to the 15th edition of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, on Saturday, September 20. The concert is free on Liberty Avenue in front of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) in downtown Pittsburgh.

BOBBY WEST'S REQUIEM FOR MARY TURNER

6/4/2025

Pianist Bobby West and Visual Artist Lori Precious Unveil
REQUIEM FOR MARY TURNER,
Their Impassioned Masterpiece that Commemorates the Martyrdom
of an African-American Woman
and 135 Other Women
Who Were Victims of Lynching

LOS ANGELES, CA, June 4, 2025 – Pianist/composer Bobby West is a four-decade “overnight sensation” who burst on the jazz scene a few years ago, with two critically acclaimed releases, Leimert Park After Dark (2021) and its 2023 follow-up Big Trippin’. Today he returns with Requiem for Mary Turner, which includes his classical 13-minute oratorio performed by a 22-piece symphonic orchestra, along with 10 other selections that span jazz, classical, gospel and ballad genres.

GEORGE BENSON SALUTE and TASTE OF JAZZ PARTY

6/4/2025

Guitarist Dan Wilson (Photo by Brent Veverka)

The 15th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Presents An All-star Tribute Honoring
Pittsburgh’s Own GEORGE BENSON
Led by Jazz Guitarist DAN WILSON
and Special Guest JONATHAN BUTLER
Friday, September 19, 8:00 pm
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

The Celebration Continues at 9:00 pm
with the TASTE OF JAZZ PARTY,
An Unforgettable Evening Where Foodies and Jazz Lovers Unite

PITTSBURGH, PA, May 16, 2025 – Foodies and jazz enthusiasts unite at the 15th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield on Friday, September 19, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), for a very special tribute honoring Pittsburgh’s own George Benson followed by the Taste of Jazz Party, one of the city’s most highly anticipated events of the year.

AWAACC: HELP FUEL THE FUTURE

5/3/2025

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Launches "Fuel the Future" Fundraising Drive
to Secure Its Next Chapter

PITTSBURGH, PA – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and one of the largest Black multi-disciplinary arts centers in the nation, today announced its "Fuel the Future" fundraising drive. Marking the 15th anniversary of its iconic building and August Wilson’s 80th Birthday, the Center aims to raise $1.5 million to ensure its continued impact and success for generations to come.

ANDY BEY: OCTOBER 28, 1939 - APRIL 26, W025

4/29/2025

Grammy-Nominated Vocalist/Pianist Andy Bey
Passes Away at 85

ENGLEWOOD, NJ, April 28, 2025 – Singer Andrew W. “Andy” Bey, who illuminated the jazz scene for five decades with his four-octave, vocal virtuosity, which encompassed his bellowing baritone and high flying falsetto, died on Saturday, April 26, at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, NJ, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was 85 years old. His death was announced by his nephew, actor/singer Darius de Haas.

JAMES MOODY'S 100th BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE CD & CONCER

4/26/2025

Celebrating Jazz Legend JAMES MOODY’S 100th BIRTHDAY
with a New Recording,
JAMES MOODY 80 YEARS YOUNG:
LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE, MARCH 26, 2005
featuring Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman,David Hazeltine, Adam Nussbaum, Randy Brecker, Paquito D’Rivera, Cedar Walton and Slide Hampton to be Released for the First Time on Origin Records on May 16, 2025

Birthday Tribute Concert
Set for May 27, 8:00 pm, at New York’s Sony Hall
Featuring Christian McBride, Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker,
Terri Lyne Carrington, Paquito D’Rivera,
Elena Pinderhughes and Madeleine Peyroux

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 26, 2025 – Tenor saxophonist and flutist James Moody (March 26, 1925 - December 9, 2010), whose hit song, “Moody’s Mood for Love” made him a popular jazz giant for seven decades, is being honored for his 100th birthday with a new CD, James Moody 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005, recorded during his week-long 80th birthday celebration. The CD will be released internationally on May 16 on Origin Records.

JAZZMOBILE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY CONCERT: WYCLIFFE GORDON'S INTERNATIONAL ALL-STARS & FRIENDS

4/18/2025

Jazzmobile Continues Its Celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month
with Wycliffe Gordon’s International All-Stars & Friends
on International Jazz Day, April 30, 7:00 pm, at Aaron Davis Hall

New York, NY, NY, April 16, 2025 – Jazzmobile, the first U.S. not-for-profit arts and cultural organization created just for jazz 60 years ago, continues its celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and International Jazz Day, UNESCO’s global celebration of jazz, with a night of straight ahead jazz and down home swing with the world-renowned trombonist, vocalist, trumpeter and bandleader Wycliffe Gordon and his International All-Stars & Friends at Aaron Davis Hall, 129 Convent Avenue in Manhattan, on Wednesday, April 30, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The concert, in conjunction with the City College Center for the Arts, takes place on International Jazz Day, which caps off Jazz Appreciation Month.

POETRY UNPLUGGED: ALWAYS AUGUST

4/18/2025

The Last Poets

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents
Poetry Unplugged: Always August,
A Night of Powerful Spoken Word and Art
Friday, April 18, 7:00 pm

PITTSBURGH, PA – The August Wilson Cultural Center proudly presents Poetry Unplugged: Always August, an electrifying evening of spoken word, music, and artistic expression, supported by Citizens. Taking place on Friday, April 18, at 7:00 PM, this highly anticipated annual event will take place in honor of what would have been August Wilson’s 80th birthday, celebrating his enduring legacy through the voices of today’s most influential spoken word artists.

CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

4/8/2025

Dee Dee Bridgewater, Branford Marsalis, Bilal, Kandace Springs,
a Pittsburgh Tribute to George Benson, Actor Keith David,
Jazzmeia Horn and More Headline
the 15th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Co-Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
September 18-21, 2025, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pianist Orrin Evans Hosts Third Annual THE JAZZ TRAIN™ Bringing Fans from New York City, Newark and Philadelphia to the Festival, on Amtrak September 18

VIP Tickets and Jazz Train Tickets are On Sale now www.pittsburghjazzfest.org

PITTSBURGH, PA, April 8, 2025 – August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) presents the 15th edition of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, featuring the city’s own iconic history along with legendary and contemporary jazz artistry. The majority of performances are FREE on Liberty Avenue in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh with food trucks, a beer garden and Game Zone, plus ticketed concerts at AWAACC.

DS Kinsel Presents New Work at AWAACC

3/17/2025

DS Kinsel's Work Inspired by August Wilson's Two Trains Running

DS Kinsel Presents New Work
at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Inspired by the August Wilson Archive

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Renowned visual artist and cultural agitator DS Kinsel will unveil new work created as part of the August Wilson Archive Community Artist-Scholar Award program sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Library System. The exhibition is on view March 6 until April 6, 2025, inside the 2nd floor Claude Worthington Benedum Gallery within the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC).

<<Previous

Pianist Bobby West and Visual Artist Lori Precious UnveilREQUIEM FOR MARY TURNER,Their Impassioned Masterpiece that Commemorates the Martyrdomof an African-American Womanand 135 Other Women ​Who Were Victims of Lynching

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Launches "Fuel the Future" Fundraising Drive to Secure Its Next Chapter

Grammy-Nominated Vocalist/Pianist Andy Bey ​Passes Away at 85

Jazzmobile Continues Its Celebration of Jazz Appreciation Monthwith Wycliffe Gordon’s International All-Stars & Friendson International Jazz Day, April 30, 7:00 pm, at Aaron Davis Hall

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents Poetry Unplugged: Always August, A Night of Powerful Spoken Word and Art Friday, April 18, 7:00 pm

DS Kinsel Presents New Work at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center Inspired by the August Wilson Archive

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