The 16th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) will observe the 250th birthday of the United States with “Our America 250,” a theme exploring the intersections of American history with jazz and related genres.
Jazz, Blues, Rock, Soul and More at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Janis Burley Wilson, the director of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (and president and CEO of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center), says that this year’s theme shows how vital American-born music styles have been throughout history — and today.
“We are exploring how jazz, blues, rock, soul, gospel, hip hop and jazz-adjacent musical styles have shaped American culture and global trends,” she says. “Our mission is to preserve the legacy of jazz and amplify the creativity of artists sharing their stories through music.”
For East Coast travelers, the experience begins before they even arrive in Pittsburgh. This year’s festival, which takes place Sept. 17-20, leaves the station aboard the annual Jazz Train. Passengers aboard the Jazz Train from New York City can jam on the rails with music from Orrin Evans and Company as the journey carries them straight into Downtown Pittsburgh.
For those unable to hop aboard the Jazz Train, the weekend kicks off on Sept. 18 with an opening night concert at the August Wilson Center featuring six-time Grammy Award winner Samara Joy. The PIJF press release states that Joy’s “impeccable artistry has captivated audiences at festivals and venues around the globe, establishing her as one of today’s leading voices in jazz.”
Indoor and Outdoor Parties and More All Weekend
Immediately following the opening concert, the festivities will transition into the signature Taste of Jazz / Taste of Pittsburgh Party. The party pairs world-class music with some of the city’s signature restaurants. Attendees will sample curated bites from Barcelona Wine Bar, Driftwood Oven, Ritual House, Fogo de Chão, Sarris Candies, Vallozzi’s, Talia, Alihan’s and the historic Original Oyster House while dancing to performances by Pittsburgh jazz icon Roger Humphries Sr., dynamic vocalist Anyah Nancy and Selecta, prominent Pittsburgh-based DJ.
The weekend continues with the outdoor, free jazz street party on Saturday and Sunday with live music on Liberty Avenue. Bring a chair, grab a delicious meal from a variety of food trucks — and let the kids play at the designated KidZone.
The broader weekend lineup features both ticketed showcases and free outdoor concerts. Among the performers: Lalah Hathaway, Terri Lyne Carrington, Orrin Evans, Sean Jones, Bernard Purdie, Eric Roberson, Lady Blackbird, Annie & The Caldwells, Nate Smith, Dwayne Dolphin, The Rakiem Walker Project, Jae Sinnett and more.
It’s a lineup that represents the past, present, and future of American music — and celebrates Pittsburgh’s ongoing claim as a home for great jazz.
For a full weekend schedule, visit: pittsburghjazzfest.org
Looking for more to do this week in Pittsburgh? Check out our community calendar of events.
Story by Kahmeela Adams-Friedson
Photos by Joey Kennedy