The Pittsburgh Jazz Celebration Features Pittsburgh Jazz Greats; White Sox vs. Pirates (Tues., 6/16/15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaAauKc5XfA

1) Jazz written by Pittsburghers and played by Pittsburghers marks the beginning of the annual Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival. It’s the Pittsburgh Jazz Celebration at Heinz Hall! This celebration is a two-parted one. Part one features David Budway, Roger Humphries, and Sean Jones, among other musicians. After intermission, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, plus Ramsey Lewis and Kurt Elling, will play the music of Billy Strayhorn, George Benson, and Henry Mancini. (Yep, even Henry Mancini was from Pittsburgh. Well, Aliquippa specifically.) The orchestra will also play a tribute to the late Ray Brown, a double bassist who worked with (and was briefly married to) Ella Fitzgerald. The orchestra’s own double bassist, Jeff Grubbs, will solo. Clips from a new PBS documentary highlighting Pittsburgh’s jazz legacy will be interspersed throughout the evening. Additionally, Gloria Reuben hosts. Many remember her as Jeanie Boulet on NBC’s “ER.” This year, she also released a jazz album through MCG Jazz, which is based in—where else?—Pittsburgh. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

2) The Pirates are in action again today against the Chicago White Sox in a 7:05 p.m. interleague game at PNC Park. The Sox, at press time,  currently sit three games below .500 in the American League’s Central Division, while the Pirates are four games above .500, seven wins behind First place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League’s Central Division. 115 Federal St., North Shore.

3) Getaway to the tropics with a trip to Brillobox for Tropical Tuesdays. There you’ll feel the trade winds (breeze from the air conditioner) soothing your overdue vacation bones. Here’s a sampling of their specials: $3 select craft cans, $4 frozen drinks, $10 California bubble bath, $10 Eva Peron, $7 Fernet con cola, and $6 Coronita Margaveza. You can also sop up the island drinks with $7 pineapple soy-glazed chicken or tofu skewers served with Caribbean sweet potato salad. Shoes and shirt required. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield.

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