Jazz Seminar brings smooth grooves to Pitt

37th Annual Pitt Jazz Seminar Today through Saturday 412-624-4187

Jazz fanatics… 37th Annual Pitt Jazz Seminar Today through Saturday 412-624-4187

Jazz fanatics take note: Pitt is going improv this week. Starting today, Pitt will host an array of international musicians for a week of performances, lectures, screenings and all things jazz. The 37th Annual Pitt Jazz Seminar will culminate in a concert on Nov. 3.

This year’s theme is “Jazz Meets the World,” but by bringing world-renowned jazz artists to campus for the concert on Saturday, the more apt title would be Pitt meets the Jazz World. Leading the headliners is saxophonist Benny Golson. Among the other guests included are Idris Muhammad on drums, Claus Reichstaller on trumpet and Yotam Silberstein on guitar.

The concert will be directed by professor Nathan Davis, head of the Jazz Studies program at Pitt and founder of the yearly event. Two artists will also be inducted into the University of Pittsburgh International Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame.

The performance takes place on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Carnegie Music Hall. Tickets are available to the public at $18 a pop, but students with a valid ID can get in for only a cool eight bucks. In addition, two films are being screened as part of the events for the week.

The first, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the WPU Assembly Room, presents the life and work of legendary pianist Thelonious Monk. As an interesting tidbit to note, Clint Eastwood produced the documentary. The second film discusses the inside points of the music and TV business. It will be shown Thursday at 7 p.m. in Heinz Chapel.

Friday and Saturday afternoons feature free public lectures and performances by the visiting artists in the WPU Assembly Room. A set of community outreach performances round out the activities being held at the end of the week.

For a full list of performers, performances and other information on the week’s events, call 412-624-4187 or check out www.pitt.edu.