Summer is quickly yielding to the breezy grasp of its first cousin, autumn this September, as a host of jazz festivals make their way to various stages across New York City and beyond.
A combustion of jazz and everything in between happens at The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, a four-day celebration held Sept. 18-21 with live music events held at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC). The Saturday and Sunday outdoor concerts are FREE and take place on the streets of Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh.
For those jazz enthusiasts looking to swing before Pittsburgh, best hop aboard the jammin’ Jazz Train hosted by the creative pianist, composer Orrin Evans (live jazz performances onboard). The train departs for Pittsburgh on September 18 and returns on September 22. Participating Amtrak stations are New York, Newark, N.J., and Philadelphia. The diverse lineup features such notables as Branford Marsalis Quartet, the blues pleaser GRAMMY Award-winning, 24-year-old Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, all-female Be’La Dona Go-Go band, actor, singer Keith Daivid, Jazzmeia Horn (sings with the spirituality of Nina Simone and Abbey Lincoln), NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tarbaby, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, the distinct vocals of Bilal, Eric Benet, and Michael Mayo (his debut at Pittsburgh Jazz Fest). Mayo brings a fresh new sound to the giant pond of vocalism, an inventive singer whose soft, fluctuating riffing scats dance like a bird in the sky. On his latest album “Fly” Deluxe Edition (Mack Avenue Music 2025), he is just as amazing on his originals like “Bag of Bones” and “I Wish” or covers like “Speak No Evil,” or “Spring Can Really Hang You Up.” He flies in that distinct category with Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Chet Baker, and Miles Griffith. “It’s an honor to have the ability to approach the music with curiosity and realize there is more to be observed,” said Mayo during a phone interview. Guitarists Dan Wilson and South African Jonathan Butler will pay tribute to the master George Benson.
Black history and jazz culture come together for a special festival tribute to pioneering producer, and entrepreneur Leon Hefflin, Sr., who, from 1945-1958, produced the largest jazz festival in America, The Cavalcade of Jazz at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. The PIJF is produced by its founder, Janis Burley Wilson, celebrating her 15th year as producer of one of the major jazz festivals in America. Her working with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust enticed her curiosity. “I didn’t know anything about planning or booking festivals, so I started traveling to festivals around the country and incorporated that knowledge into our Pittsburgh Festival,” explained Wilson, also President and CEO of August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC). For a complete schedule and ticket information, visit pittsburghjazz.org.