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DUQ Jazz: Regional Jazz Resources
Pittsburgh has a rich history in jazz and the region has an active jazz community today. To find out where you can go to hear great jazz or learn about the rich heritage of jazz, check out some of the following concert series, programs and organizations.
Venues for Jazz
Colleges and Universities with Jazz Studies Programs
Regional Jazz Societies
Jazz Educational Organizations
Library Resources
Venues for Jazz
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
Since 1987, the nonprofit Manchester Craftsmen's Guild has carried out their mission to "preserve, present and promote jazz" with an annual concert series of renowned jazz masters presented in an intimate theatre setting. Education programs include internships, master classes and opportunities for students to attend concerts at low or no cost. MCG also produces and distributes recordings with its jazz label, MCG Jazz. MCG has won GRAMMY's for recordings by the Count Basie Orchestra with the New York Voices, Paquito D'Rivera with the New York Voices, and Nancy Wilson.
Contact info:
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
1815 Metropolitan Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
412.322.1773
Erie Art Museum
Located approximately 2.5 hours north of Pittsburgh, the museum offers exhibitions, workshops, tours, lectures and special events throughout the year. They also present a concert series of nationally known jazz and blues performers.
Contact info:
Erie Art Museum
411 State Street
Erie, PA 16501
814.459.5477
Many clubs and restaurants in the region present local and national jazz artists. Click here for the DUQ Jazz Events Calendar.
Colleges and Universities with Jazz Studies Programs
California University of Pennsylvania
California University offers two jazz ensembles, the Tuesday and Thursday Jazz Bands. The groups perform around the California area and are featured in the annual Cal U Jazz Experience. The experience is a two-day jazz clinic featuring performances from several local high schools as well as instruction from jazz musicians and teachers.
Contact info:
California University of Pennsylvania Music Department
250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419
724.938.4242
Carnegie Mellon University
With a mission of creating new knowledge and innovative means for making music, the School of Music presents the CMU Jazz Ensembles, directed by David Pellow, as part of their yearly concert series.
Contact info:
School of Music
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412.268.2372
Duquesne University
The Mary Pappert School of Music has a longstanding tradition of presenting jazz through big bands and small ensembles. Jazz studies are directed by Michael Tomaro. For the past 20 years, the school has offered a week-long Summer Jazz Workshop, which includes lectures, performances and instruction for students at all levels, from age 13 to adult.
Contact info:
Mary Pappert School of Music
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.6080
Slippery Rock University
The SRU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Stephen Hawk, tours the globe to participate in several jazz festivals the world over. Besides visiting Canada, Asia and Europe, the ensemble performs frequent concerts on campus and also records CDs of their performances.
Contact info:
Slippery Rock University Music Department
1 Morrow Way
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
724.738.2444
University of Pittsburgh
Under the stewardship of Dr. Nathan Davis, the University's Jazz Studies Program includes an Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame, Sonny Rollins International Jazz Archives, The International Jazz Archives Journal and the weeklong Annual Jazz Seminar and Concert every fall with many jazz innovators and legends.
Contact info:
Department of Music
University of Pittsburgh
Music Building 110
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412.624.4187
Regional Jazz Societies
Pittsburgh Jazz Society
The Pittsburgh Jazz Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation and perpetuation of jazz. Now a long-established tradition, every Sunday evening the PJS hosts a free-to-the-public jazz party featuring local and nationally known jazz musicians at Rhythm House in Bridgeville. The PJS also maintains a Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame and sponsors the PJS Big Band, which was founded by DUQ's own Tony Mowod. Each year, the PJS awards educational scholarships to young student musicians.
Contact info:
Pittsburgh Jazz Society
PO Box 1333
Pittsburgh, PA 15230
412.343.9555
Allegheny Jazz Society
Throughout the year, the Allegheny Jazz Society presents nationally known jazz performers at the Gardner Theatre in Meadville. Each September, they organize Jazz at Chautauqua at western New York state's famous Chautauqua Institute.
Contact info:
Allegheny Jazz Society
283 Jefferson Street
Meadville, PA 16335
814.724.2163
Westmoreland Jazz Society
The Westmoreland Jazz Society was established by the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. The WJS is committed to providing high quality and diverse jazz performances. The jazz performances take place at the museum on the third Thursday of every month.
Contact info:
Westmoreland Jazz Society
Westmoreland Museum of Art
221 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724.837.1500
Jazz Educational Organizations
African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh
The AAJPSP is the only nonprofit African American organization created by retired and still performing African American musicians, who were former members of Local 471, the segregated musicians union. Since 1996, the organization has incorporated intergenerational performances with its oral history research and music education/advocacy.
Contact info:
African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh
6 Spruce Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
412.766.4969
Afro-American Music Institute
Founded in 1982 by Dr. James T. Johnson, AAMI helps musicians in greater Pittsburgh find their musical voices in jazz, gospel and blues. The nonprofit institute's music curriculum includes directing, improvisation and ear training, computer music labs, vocal technique, church music, basic music reading and theory and the music industry. AAMI has purchased the old post office building around the corner from its present location in Homewood. After minor renovations, the building will serve as the institute's new home later this year.
Contact info:
7131 Hamilton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412.241.6775
The Jazz Workshop, Inc.
Founded in 1973 by Harold Young, the nonprofit Jazz Workshop is based at the Homewood branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. It's educational programs include jazz instruction, Talent Night, jazz performances, a jazz ensemble, improvisation instruction, Jazz for Tots, Jazz Family Night and a jazz outreach program in which musicians teach children in underserved housing communities.
Contact info:
Jazz Workshop, Inc.
Carnegie Library
7101 Hamilton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412.731.3080
Library Resources
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
The main library in Oakland and its branches provide the public with a major collection of books, albums, CDs, videotapes, musical scores, magazines, archives and other jazz resources through the Music & Art Department. The collection includes both reference materials and materials available for lending. The Library's web site provides an online catalog of available materials and also a list of links for regional, national and international jazz resources.
Contact info:
Music & Art Department
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412.622.3105
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