Our Mission
MCG Jazz’ mission is to preserve, present and promote jazz.
Through our performances, we strengthen the long time Pittsburgh jazz community and contribute to the overall cultural and artistic diversity of the region.
MCG Jazz supports its mission through:
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a subscription based annual concert series featuring jazz legends and emerging artists;
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a recording label producing distinctive albums from a wide variety of artists;
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educational programs serving elementary, middle and high school aged students; and
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an archive of audio/video recordings, photographs, interviews and individual artist collections.
What We Do
Concert Series
MCG Jazz’s concert activities focus on:
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Presenting artistic excellence in an environment conducive to creative expression
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Engaging students to further their musical abilities and understanding of jazz
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Increasing public awareness and appreciation for jazz as an American art form
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Exposing diverse artists to the Western Pennsylvania region
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Documenting and making available, through web streaming, the performances for future generations and for the purpose of evaluating impact and procedures.
Recording Label
MCG Jazz has released 50 albums and videos commercially through brick and mortar and its digital download store.
Education
MCG Jazz has worked with countless K-12 schools, universities and colleges to create teaching modules that fit their jazz needs. We are uniquely positioned to help any age student learn more about this American art form.
Archives
Current MCG Jazz Assets derived from concerts, workshops, interviews, recording sessions, off-site productions and other events. The collection includes:
Photographic Images
Video Content
Audio Content
MCG Jazz CD Catalogue
MCG Jazz DVD Catalogue
PBS Specials
NPR Series
Oral Histories/Interviews
Jazz Education study guides, audio/video, professional development materials
Off-Site Productions of various audio/video/photo media from hundreds of events
Music charts of arrangements from small group to symphony orchestra
Various Printed Materials of contracts, media kits, grants, marketing materials, reviews clippings, etc.
Album Cover Art Collection
Artist Database
Song List of all compositions played at MCG
Mellon Jazz Festival Collection
Stanley Turrentine Collection
Herbie Mann Collection
Dr. John Wilson Archive
Jazz Books
Assets may be accessed for scholarly review by appointment only.
Virtual Programming
MCG Jazz offers a variety of interactive virtual programming to keep you connected to MCG Jazz and bring the New Jazz Age to you.
Live Performances
Each month we host a socially distanced live performance from the MCG Jazz stage and stream it LIVE! Subscribers will have a special code to watch the performance at their convenience within 48 hours.
Archive Concert Broadcasts
Each month we stream a concert from the 33-year history of MCG Jazz. Relive a show you attended or see one you may have missed.
MCG Jazz Spotlight Show
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, MCG Jazz hosts a 60-minute radio show on The Pittsburgh Jazz Channel, WZUM, 101.1 FM or stream online at wzum.org.
Guess the Soloist
Weekly we post a 30 second clip from an improvised solo from the concert archives. We encourage you to comment with your guesses. Watch for monthly contests!
Learning About the Legends
Pittsburgh has been home to so many of the musicians, arrangers, composers, and educators that created the music we know today as jazz. Weekly we give you a glimpse into the lives of MCG Jazz Pittsburgh Jazz Legends explaining why we pay tribute to these great Pittsburghers. At the end of each month a full transcription of each legend’s oral history will be released full of funny moments and life lessons.
Ask the Artist
Each month we will host a live chat session with an artist who has recorded on the MCG Jazz Label. Get your questions ready as you will be live with the artists!
Production Services
MCG Jazz offers production services. At the MCG Jazz concert hall where our industry standard video and audio recording capabilities will capture your performance for live streaming, live to tape broadcasts, studio album recordings, and college audition recordings. Led by our award-winning engineers and producer who will work with you to follow all guidelines. Rhythm section accompaniment available upon request.