PITTSBURGH
Tony Bennett, others to perform in leaner Mellon Jazz Festival
Tony Bennett headlines a much smaller Mellon Jazz Festival 2002 in Pittsburgh.
Bennett will sing at 8 p.m. June 14 at Heinz Hall. Tickets: (412) 392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org
Instead of sprawling throughout the city, the festival will host a handful of concerts June 13-16.
Also scheduled:
Pittsburgh Jazz Society Big Band, noon June 13 at One Mellon Center Plaza. The band features young professionals and college and high school musicians under the direction of Ralph Guzzi.
Geri Allen, 8 p.m. June 13 at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild. The pianist has taught at Howard University and the New England Conservatory of Music. She has played with Mary Wilson of the Supremes, and her husband, trumpeter Wallace Roney. Ms. Allen earned Denmark's Jazzpar prize and played Mary Lou Williams in the film "Kansas City." Tickets: (412) 322-0800 and www.mcgjazz.org
Pittsburgh musicians Mark Perna, John Schmidt, Mike Sakash and Dave Turner with Eric Susoeff and Eric DeFade, 5 p.m. June 15 at Point State Park.
Pianist and organist Gene Ludwig, following the Perna and company performance June 15 at Point State Park.
Dr. John, following Ludwig's performance June 15 at Point State Park. He grew up in New Orleans learning music from Allen Toussaint, James Booker and Huey Smith, played R&B and rock sessions, and hit the charts in the '70s with "Iko Iko," "Right Place, Wrong Time," "Such A Night," and "Rite Away." His latest album is "Creole Moon."
Rene Marie, 6 p.m. June 16 at Point State Park. Although she sang as a teen-ager, it wasn't until her mid-40s that Ms. Marie concentrated on music. Her albums include "How Can I Keep From Singing?" and "Vertigo."
Kenny Garrett, following Ms. Marie's performance June 16 at Point State Park. The saxophonist has played with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Mel Lewis Orchestra, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw and Miles Davis. His latest album is "Happy People."
Also in conjunction with the festival, the MJF/MCG Student Jazz Spectacular will be culminate with a 3:30 p.m. April 28 concert at the Byham Theater, Pittsburgh.
Drummer Stephen Marks of Hickory High School has been selected to participate.
Jazz pros will work with the students Saturday at MCG on the technical aspects of playing, phrasing and tone development, and then in groups.
The students will join the professionals for the Byham concert.
Teachers will include trumpeter Claudio Roditi, saxophonists Nathan Davis and Karolina Strassmayer, pianist James Williams, trombonist Jay Ashby, guitarist Steve Brown, drummer Jamey Haddad and bassist Dwayne Dolphin.
The Point State Park, One Mellon Center and Byham concerts are free.
Information: www.mellon.com/jazz
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Published Friday, April 26, 2002