One of the roads to Jazz in America begins in Pittsburgh. The Hill District, especially the Lower Hill, is where people congregated from all over, some undercover, to enjoy this amazing music founded in Pittsburgh.
We enjoy recordings of some those who founded the Pittsburgh sound today. Here is a short list of performers we cherish. Earl Hines, Stanley Turrentine, Erroll Garner, Art Blakey, Mary Lou Williams, Lena Horne, Billy Strayhorn, Maureen Budway. Current performers who can be heard around town, nationally and internationally include George Benson, Roger Humphries, Kenny Blake, Paul Thompson, Sean Jones, Etta Cox, Leo Pellegrino, Frank Cohen and many more.
WZUM brings back Jazz to the airwaves that the demise of WDUQ left behind through 101.1 FM with its clear, clean sound throughout the city, 1550 AM and 88.1 FM. The future will include collaborations with organizations such as the African American Music Institute and others to show how jazz is alive, well and growing in Pittsburgh.
Scott Hanley returns to Pittsburgh taking the helm as General Manager of WZUM, also as the announcer of Sunday Jazz. Chuck Leavens, President of Pittsburgh Public Media and Chief Engineer of WZUM announces weekdays. Tony Mowod can be heard evenings. The Voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a life-long Jazz aficionado, Bill Hillgrove runs Saturday Jazz.
Here are a few news reports, placed through my efforts, touting the Grand Opening of the new 101.1 FM Signal!!
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Triblive.com
Pittsburgh Business Times
WTAE-TV Web Site
http://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-jazz-radio-station-wzum/14456415