Results for "Pittsburgh"

Jeff Grubbs

Born: July 2, 1963

Jeff Grubbs, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is a jazz bassist who is also a veteran member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He received his musical training at Youngstown State University, The Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Southern California. In 1986, Jeff won one of Downbeat Magazine’s “Dee Bee” awards for Best Collegiate Bass Soloist, and has since performed in the local jazz scenes of Cleveland, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and Pittsburgh with a number of internationally recognized jazz artists including Nat Adderly, Mose Allison, Terrence Blanchard, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Kurt Elling, Roger Humphries, Ramsey Lewis, Joe Lovano, Ellis Marsalis, Chris Potter, Diane Schur, Lonnie Smith, Ira Sullivan, Billy Taylor and Joe Williams

Tania Grubbs

Born: October 5, 1965

Vocalist TANIA GRUBBS doesn't just sing nice songs. She crafts stories out of well-chosen songs with love and care - and lets the listener feel the spirit behind each note. She doesn't stand in front of a stellar band of sidemen. Her voice is an integral instrument in a quintet of equals, a guiding thread that weaves everyone together whether singing a warm, engaging note, a challenging phrase, an especially stirring arrangement, a soulful turn, or hopeful sentiment.

When world-renowned trumpeter Sean Jones described Tania Grubbs, he said knowing her has been a joy, “not only because of her skill as an artist but because of her connection to humanity.”  There probably couldn’t be two more perfect words to describe not only Tania but her fascinating, beautiful music: joy and humanity. 

Joe Sheehan

Born: February 6, 1981

Joseph Sheehan is a composer, pianist, and educator immersed in classical, jazz, and world musics. In his music Sheehan aims to share joy, depth, and beauty, connecting with artists and audiences of diverse musical communities. Sheehan’s music celebrates and explores a tapestry of both song and dance, forms at the root of many musical cultures throughout the world. An independent study of traditional song and dance in Ghana, West Africa, from 2008-09, was especially influential on Sheehan’s musical language. West African music, as well as jazz, has informed recent pieces such as Vibraphone Loops, for vibes and tape, featuring a solo percussionist accompanied by soulful harmonies and synth loops; and Dances from Afar, a suite of three distinctive dances for violin and piano

Jeff Bush

Apollo, Pennsylvania native Jeff Bush began studying music at the age of four on an unlikely instrument, the banjo. He followed with the piano and then discovered the trombone which has become a lifelong pursuit. Working as a professional musician while still a college student, Bush performed with The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and toured with The Glenn Miller Orchestra. In his final year of undergraduate study, Bush became linked to one of his musical heroes, receiving the Frank Rosolino Memorial Scholarship. The award featured Bush at the 1999 International Trombone Festival and allowed him to study in Berlin, Germany with acclaimed trombonist, Jiggs Whigham. In 2000 Jeff moved to New York City to begin a Master's degree at The Manhattan School of Music and to pursue a freelance career which continues to flourish today

Paul Cosentino

Born: December 7, 1966

Paul Cosentino has been a full-time musician and bandleader for over 30 years, specializing in classic jazz and popular music from the 1920s to the 1940s. Paul plays an antique Albert System clarinet, which gives him a wonderfully distinctive sound not often heard on today’s bandstands. In addition to providing vocals, Paul also splits time on the alto and tenor saxophones. Paul has an extensive repertoire of tunes encompassing the Great American Songbook- written by some of the best-known composers of American popular song. He is also well versed in early New Orleans jazz, the Swing Era, big band riffs, and everything in between. Paul is known globally for his enthusiastic, energetic, and powerful performances.

Kenia

Born: August 26

KENIA is renowned for her ability to translate the complex rhythms of her Brazilian homeland into jazzy creations that made her a star of the smooth jazz movement two decades ago. Her 2016 release on Mooka Records, “On We Go,” is a fresh collection of songs that will entice a new generation of listeners, as it showcases Kenia at the top of her form with a seductive, polished vocal phrasing. “Once again, the vocalist has bridged jazz, international pop and Brazilian music and done so effortlessly, in one of her best works to date” (Jazz Corner). “It’s hard to believe Kenia approaches any song with any trepidation

Jeff Lashway

Pianist Jeff Lashway hails from Pittsburgh — While he has played, toured and recorded with several artists, he is best known for his tenure with jazz legend Maynard Ferguson. Jeff was Maynard's final pianist. On his first release, "Reunion," he is reunited with longtime friend Vinnie Colaiuta. This is a rare straight-ahead session for Vinnie. Also on board is the amazing vocalist Jimmy Hall, formerly the lead singer with Wet Willie. This is an incredibly accessible, swinging CD, with stellar performances by all the musicians, including Jim Rotondi, John Allred and Jeff Rupert.

Joe Negri

In 1999, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust honored me by naming me the "Established Artist of the Year." I remember telling them that my career has been a "work in progress" since age three. As a child performer, I performed on radio and appeared in theatrical and stage productions throughout the tri-state area. I was even chosen to become one of Pittsburgh's "Stars of Tomorrow." A voice change shattered my confidence and I stopped performing. Shortly after, I began to seriously study the guitar. By age sixteen, I was playing well enough to win a job with one of the country's top swing bands. I soon became a featured member of the band and traveled nationally with them for about two years

Tony Mowod

Tony Mowod, Executive Producer / Jazz Host, at WDUQ-FM 90.5, (his four hour nightly show is heard on the JazzWorks jazz network broadcasting 24/7 to public radio stations across the country), is also the President and Founder of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society, and has been one of Pittsburgh's most enduring champions of jazz for over four decades. Even as a teenager, Tony, dazzled by the tremendous number of jazz greats from his native Pittsburgh, responded to them not only as a fan does, but as a young musician himself. (The vibraphone was his instrument of choice after studying classical piano as a youngster.)

While attending Duquesne University, Tony embarked on his broadcasting career at WDUQ

Reggie Watkins

Born: August 24, 1971

Trombonist, pianist, arranger and composer Reggie Watkins has released five recordings as leader. The March 28th 2025 release of Rivers (BYNK Records) features Watkins on trombone with his quartet playing all of his original compositions and arrangments. In addition to composing and performing with his own groups, he is a member of the 3X Grammy nominated group Orrin Evans' Captain Black Big Band, The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Steeltown Horns and Keystone Jazz Collective. Watkins has toured and recorded extensively with artists such as trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, Jason Mraz, The Temptations, Postmodern Jukebox, Dumpstaphunk, and saxophonist Richie Cole.