JazzLive Intl. Fest Starts w/ David Sanborn and Rhythm & Groove at August Wilson; Urban Garden Party at Mattress Factory (Fri., 6/16/17)

1) There’s nothing like a jazz saxophone, and there are connoisseurs who say nobody blows it better than David Sanborn. That’s why he’s one of the top acts performing at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s JazzLive International Festival. A six-time Grammy winner, Sanborn plays at the high end, favoring the alto sax and sometimes pushing it to about as alto as it can go. He also enjoys tunes from all over the genre map, so his shows typically include a good bit of crossover and fusion material. Sanborn has played with nearly every big name you can think of; he was a regular guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and the latest of his 24 albums, 2015’s Time and the River, features numbers on the smooth-jazz side. 7 p.m. August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. (EC,RH)

2) There’s a big musical event occurring at Rhythm & Groove. Where is Rhythm and Groove you ask? Well you will find it tonight at the August Wilson Center. The party is the second event of Rhythm & Groove in 2017, a big jazz party at the August Wilson Center featuring the Caribbean music of Elan Trotman’s Tropicality, classic, jazz standards by Allan Harris, Latin grooves of Noel Quintana’s Latin Crew and a special appearance by Sean Jones. General admission and VIP tickets for Rhythm & Groove are available. The event is being held in conjunction with the Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival. 9 p.m. 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District.

Also the same night at the The Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival,  to further enhance festival goers’ experience, the celebration starts with a bash at the 9th Street Stage with Afroheat, a 3-hour party featuring DJ SMI spinning deep and funky afrobeat, afrohouse, afrolatin, afrofuture, and afroBrazilian rhythms that will keep you dancing all night long. The PJLIF will also have a JazzLive pub crawl, jam sessions, artist booths, vinyl record boutique, food trucks and a craft beer garden. The Cultural District Will be hopping!

3) Another signature Pittsburgh event is happening on the 16th—one of the city’s hottest parties—the Mattress Factory‘s 20th annual signature fundraiser, The Urban Garden Party. Indulge in food and  libations from 40 of the city’s top restaurants and bars. Partiers can dance the night away to live music, and much more. All proceeds benefit the Mattress Factory’s artistic programs, exhibitions, and education outreach. The Mattress factory is one of Pittsburgh’s longest-running contemporary art institutions and is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Music by LUXE Creative Resident DJ Samuel Andres and headliner Beauty Slap. There is a regular ticket and a VIP ticket for the event. The VIP ticket features sumptuous culinary creations and specialty cocktails from Pittsburgh master chef Bob Sendall and his staff at All in Good Taste Productions. VIP starts at 6 p.m., regular admission begins at 7:30 p.m. 500 Sampsonia Way. North Side.

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