SEASON PREMIERE
Meet Bill Strickland, a community leader, author, and the President and CEO of the non-profit Manchester Bidwell Corporation based in Pittsburgh. Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Bidwell Training Center and
Since 1987, MCG Jazz has brought audiences together with jazz artists at its 350 seat music hall in Pittsburgh for innovative 4-day performances and recordings. Many of these international masters of jazz would headline a list of Jazz’s “Needs No Introduction” — Joe Williams, Billy Taylor, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Ray Brown. MCG Jazz Archives now contain over 300 CDs worth of jazz history by those who represent the past, present and future of jazz music. The performance series, one of the oldest in the nation, is an anchor of Pittsburgh cultural and community life.
Internationally acclaimed saxophonist, Kenny Blake, has been performing for over 30 years. Kenny's smooth saxophone sound has thrilled audiences worldwide yet he keeps his roots and his home here in Pittsburgh. With five CD's to his credit his wide range of styles cover everything from swing, Latin, ballads, and standards of all kinds. Kenny works with an array of top musicians and can perform as a duo, trio, quartet and can even add a vocalist to provide a one of a kind evening of entertainment.