5th Annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival Welcomes Rachelle Ferrell, 6/19-21

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) on June 19 - 21, 2015. The three-day festival boasts international flair and promises the best jazz in a variety of settings: outdoor stages, ticketed special engagements, and indoor "gigs" at over 20 small venues through Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District. This year, the festival will present artists with both international reputation -- and musical origins. PJLIF attracts more than 20,000 attendees from around the country.

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Rachelle Ferrell | Friday, June 19 at 8pm | Tickets are $38
Ticketed Performance at the August Wilson Center (980 Liberty Avenue)
One of the most distinctive voices in music, Rachelle Ferrell is equally at home with gospel, blues, jazz or classical music. Her collaborations with people like Joe Sample, Lalah Hathaway, Gerald Albright and Will Downing have places her as a favorite amongst jazz and soul music. Don't miss this rare appearance of this formidable performer in the beautiful theater at the August Wilson Center.

Ginger Baker's Jazz Confusion will also be held at the August Wilson Center on Saturday, June 20th at 9pm. Ticket prices start at $42.25

Bourbon & Bass | Friday, June 19 at 6:30pm | $45.75
Ticketed event at Peirce Studio, Trust Arts Education Center (805/807 Liberty Avenue)
Every system, every group, every organization has a foundation; that element that holds things together; that constant...
In the whiskey world in America, some say bourbon is the backbone of whiskies. In the music world some say it's the bass that is the engaging rhythmic constant. We'll let you be the judge as we present BOURBON AND BASS: A MUSICAL TASTING EXPERIENCE. Join musician Dwayne Dolphin Trio and the founder of Raise Your Spirits, Max Miller, as they take you on a journey through the history, origins and elements of bourbon and bass. Three craft bourbon expressions...world class musicians...one unforgettable evening. Limited seating is available.

Mary Lou Williams, The Lady Who Swings the Band | Monday, June 15 at 6pm | Free admission
WQED Viewing Party | Savoy Restaurant (2623 Penn Avenue)
She was ahead of her time, a genius. During an era when Jazz was the nation's popular music, Mary Lou Williams was one of its greatest innovators. As both a pianist and composer, she was a font of daring and creativity who helped shape the sound of 20th century America. And like the dynamic, turbulent nation in which she lived, Williams seemed to redefine herself with every passing decade.

From child prodigy to "Boogie-Woogie Queen" to groundbreaking composer to mentoring some of the greatest musicians of all time, Mary Lou Williams never ceased to astound those who heard her play. But away from the piano, Williams was a woman in a "man's world," a black person in a "whites only" society, an ambitious artist who dared to be different, and who struggled against the imperatives of being a "star." Above all, she did not fit the (still) prevailing notions of where genius comes from or what it looks like. Time and again, she pushed back against a world that said, "You can't" and said, "I can." It nearly cost her everything. For more information, call 412-281-0660.

Rodger Humphries Jam Session | Thursday, June 18 at 8pm | Free admission
James Street Gastropub & Speakeasy (422 Foreland Street)
The best Jam Session in the city. Roger Humphries is rated by music critics as one of the most exciting percussionists in the business. He has provided the rhythmic beat for such greats as Ray Charles, Horace Silver, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Stanley Turrentine, James Moody, Lee Morgan, Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Green, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, J.J. Johnson, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, Joe Williams, Milton Jackson, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Witherspoon, Nathan Davis, Pete Henderson, Don Patterson, Gene Harris, Grant Green, George Harris, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Dogget, Jack McDuff, and a list of great musicians that goes on and on and on.On February 23, 2008 the state of Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh issued a proclamation as Roger Humphries Day. He was given a certificate of recognition for his legendary performance in the field of music and teaching.

Jazz Tour of the Historic Hill District | Saturday, June 20 at 10am | $15 Elise H Hillman Auditorium (1825 Centre Street) *45 minute tours beginning at 10am, 11:30am and 1pm.
Kaufmann Center and the the Hill House Association are presenting an amazing opportunity to experience some of the hottest and most historic jazz spots in the city of Pittsburgh. Visit the Hill District's legendary jazz scene in this guided tour and relive a part of Jazz History at such hot spots as the Court of Ideas, the Crawford Grill, the Legacy, the New Granada and the Original Savoy Ballroom! Molley's Trolleys will pick up tour participants at 7th & Penn in front of the Benedum, and return guest back to the Benedum at the end of the tour.

CURRENT SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES:

Friday, June 19, 2015

• Nate da Phat Barber (DJ), 9th Street Stage, 7-9pm
• Aaron Abernathy & the Nat Turner Band, 9th Street Stage, 9:30-11:30pm

Saturday, June 20, 2015

• Mavis "Swan" Poole and Soul Understated, 9th Street Stage, 2-2:45pm
• Craig Handy and Second Line Smith, Penn Ave. Stage II, 2:45-4pm
• Big City Line Dance, UPMC Dignity & Respect Campaign, 9th and Penn., 4-4:45pm
• Murray, Allen, Carington, Penn Ave. Stage I, 4-5:30pm
• Somi, 9th Street Stage, 5:30-6:30pm
• Songs for My Father Reimagined, Sean Jones/ Rodger Humphries, Penn Ave. Stage II, 6:30-7:45pm
• Joey DeFrancesco Quartet, Penn Ave. Stage I, 7:45-9:15pm

Sunday, June 21, 2015

• Camila Meza, 9th Street Stage, 2-2:45pm
• Bebel Gilberto, Penn Ave. Stage II, 2:45-4pm
• Christian McBride Trio, Penn Ave. Stage I, 4-5:30pm
• Etienne Charles Calypso Review, 9th Street Stage, 5:30-6:30pm
• Sammy Figueroa and his Latin Jazz Explosion, Penn Ave. Stage II, 6:30-7:45pm
• Average White Band, Penn Ave. Stage I, 7:45-9:15pm

Full biographies and additional artist information can be found here: TrustArts.org/jazzlivefest.

ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

A free Jazz Crawl in the Cultural District, featuring 150 local and regional musicians at multiple venues kicks off the Festival Friday, June 19, from 5:30-9 p.m. In addition to late-night club performances, Jam Sessions at locations throughout the Cultural District begin at 10 p.m., June 20 and June 21.

AFTER THE CRAWL, enjoy the following late-night events taking place within the Cultural District and beyond.

• BILL'S BAR AND BURGER, Westin Convention Center Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue | Mark Lucas at 9pm
• JAZZLIVE JAM SESSION, Sonoma Grille, 847 Penn Avenue | Roger Humphries at 10:30pm
• HOWL AT THE MOON - 125 7th Street | FREE ADMISSION with your PJLIF map after 9pm
• JAMES STREET GASTROPUB & SPEAKEASY - The Boilermaker Jazz Band, Ball Room, 422 Foreland Street, Northside | Swing Lesson at 7pm and Show at 8pm | Cost is $5
• RIVERS CASINO - Levels Lounge, 777 Casino Drive Pittsburgh PA 15212 | Antoinette with No Ordinary Soul at 10pm
  www.riverscasino.com/pittsburgh/

Showcase Noir marks its 12th year for this African American Designer Market that includes pottery, paintings, jewelry, fiber works, and sculptures available for sale by some of the world's finest artists.

New this year, the Festival will introduce elite craft beer tasting courtesy of our official beer sponsor, North Coast Brewing Company, as well as a special ticketed event with Raise Your Spirits, LLC, the gateway to the enjoyment of fine craft spirits.

The special pop-up vinyl record store, Trust Vinyl, will return to downtown's Cultural District, offering visitors the opportunity to purchase vinyl in this old-fashioned record store, which will be located at 820 Liberty Ave. on Friday and Saturday from 12-9 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m. Regional vendors include Jerry's Records, J.Malls, Bob Shekerko, Jimmy Blackford, Dennis Mccarthy, Tim Harris, Paul Tescher and Gus Payne.

The outdoor Night Market presented by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will feature some of Pittsburgh's most creative independent vendors of food, music, art, jewelry, clothing, crafts, and more. The Night Market, located at 8th Street and Penn Avenue, with be open June 19 from 5:30pm-11 pm and June 20-21 from 2pm-9pm.

JAZZLIVE FRIENDS
The Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival greatly relies on the support of individuals like you. Join the Jammin' JazzLive Club today and receive terrific festival benefits all while preserving the rich legacy of Jazz in Pittsburgh! For more information, click here.

PARTNERS & SPONSORS
The Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and partners including City of Pittsburgh, MACY'S, Courtyard Marriott, WESA 90.5FM, WYEP 91.3FM, MCG Jazz, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Yamaha, Northcoast Brewing, Downbeat Magazine, P&W Foreign Cars, and Rivers Casino.

All artists and show times are subject to change. For updates, a full list of artist biographies, sponsors and more information, visit TrustArts.org/jazzlivefest.

Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival
The Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) is a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. This festival, aimed at connecting the community to jazz, will bring prominent jazz musicians and visual artists to Pittsburgh's Cultural District to present Grammy-winning performers, jazz and jazz-influenced musical performances, and visual art. More than 20,000 visitors will visit the Cultural District to partake in this year's event. For more information, visit TrustArts.org/JazzLiveFest.

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh's most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country's largest land masses "curated" by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh's quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.

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