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AWAACC: HELP FUEL THE FUTURE

5/3/2025

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Launches "Fuel the Future" Fundraising Drive
to Secure Its Next Chapter

PITTSBURGH, PA – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and one of the largest Black multi-disciplinary arts centers in the nation, today announced its "Fuel the Future" fundraising drive. Marking the 15th anniversary of its iconic building and August Wilson’s 80th Birthday, the Center aims to raise $1.5 million to ensure its continued impact and success for generations to come.

ANDY BEY: OCTOBER 28, 1939 - APRIL 26, W025

4/29/2025

Grammy-Nominated Vocalist/Pianist Andy Bey
Passes Away at 85

ENGLEWOOD, NJ, April 28, 2025 – Singer Andrew W. “Andy” Bey, who illuminated the jazz scene for five decades with his four-octave, vocal virtuosity, which encompassed his bellowing baritone and high flying falsetto, died on Saturday, April 26, at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, NJ, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was 85 years old. His death was announced by his nephew, actor/singer Darius de Haas.

JAMES MOODY'S 100th BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE CD & CONCER

4/26/2025

Celebrating Jazz Legend JAMES MOODY’S 100th BIRTHDAY
with a New Recording,
JAMES MOODY 80 YEARS YOUNG:
LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE, MARCH 26, 2005
featuring Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman,David Hazeltine, Adam Nussbaum, Randy Brecker, Paquito D’Rivera, Cedar Walton and Slide Hampton to be Released for the First Time on Origin Records on May 16, 2025

Birthday Tribute Concert
Set for May 27, 8:00 pm, at New York’s Sony Hall
Featuring Christian McBride, Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker,
Terri Lyne Carrington, Paquito D’Rivera,
Elena Pinderhughes and Madeleine Peyroux

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 26, 2025 – Tenor saxophonist and flutist James Moody (March 26, 1925 - December 9, 2010), whose hit song, “Moody’s Mood for Love” made him a popular jazz giant for seven decades, is being honored for his 100th birthday with a new CD, James Moody 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005, recorded during his week-long 80th birthday celebration. The CD will be released internationally on May 16 on Origin Records.

JAZZMOBILE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY CONCERT: WYCLIFFE GORDON'S INTERNATIONAL ALL-STARS & FRIENDS

4/18/2025

Jazzmobile Continues Its Celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month
with Wycliffe Gordon’s International All-Stars & Friends
on International Jazz Day, April 30, 7:00 pm, at Aaron Davis Hall

New York, NY, NY, April 16, 2025 – Jazzmobile, the first U.S. not-for-profit arts and cultural organization created just for jazz 60 years ago, continues its celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and International Jazz Day, UNESCO’s global celebration of jazz, with a night of straight ahead jazz and down home swing with the world-renowned trombonist, vocalist, trumpeter and bandleader Wycliffe Gordon and his International All-Stars & Friends at Aaron Davis Hall, 129 Convent Avenue in Manhattan, on Wednesday, April 30, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The concert, in conjunction with the City College Center for the Arts, takes place on International Jazz Day, which caps off Jazz Appreciation Month.

POETRY UNPLUGGED: ALWAYS AUGUST

4/18/2025

The Last Poets

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents
Poetry Unplugged: Always August,
A Night of Powerful Spoken Word and Art
Friday, April 18, 7:00 pm

PITTSBURGH, PA – The August Wilson Cultural Center proudly presents Poetry Unplugged: Always August, an electrifying evening of spoken word, music, and artistic expression, supported by Citizens. Taking place on Friday, April 18, at 7:00 PM, this highly anticipated annual event will take place in honor of what would have been August Wilson’s 80th birthday, celebrating his enduring legacy through the voices of today’s most influential spoken word artists.

CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

4/8/2025

Dee Dee Bridgewater, Branford Marsalis, Bilal, Kandace Springs,
a Pittsburgh Tribute to George Benson, Actor Keith David,
Jazzmeia Horn and More Headline
the 15th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Co-Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
September 18-21, 2025, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pianist Orrin Evans Hosts Third Annual THE JAZZ TRAIN™ Bringing Fans from New York City, Newark and Philadelphia to the Festival, on Amtrak September 18

VIP Tickets and Jazz Train Tickets are On Sale now www.pittsburghjazzfest.org

PITTSBURGH, PA, April 8, 2025 – August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) presents the 15th edition of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, featuring the city’s own iconic history along with legendary and contemporary jazz artistry. The majority of performances are FREE on Liberty Avenue in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh with food trucks, a beer garden and Game Zone, plus ticketed concerts at AWAACC.

DS Kinsel Presents New Work at AWAACC

3/17/2025

DS Kinsel's Work Inspired by August Wilson's Two Trains Running

DS Kinsel Presents New Work
at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Inspired by the August Wilson Archive

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Renowned visual artist and cultural agitator DS Kinsel will unveil new work created as part of the August Wilson Archive Community Artist-Scholar Award program sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Library System. The exhibition is on view March 6 until April 6, 2025, inside the 2nd floor Claude Worthington Benedum Gallery within the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC).

Four New York Public Radio Stations Form Tri-State Music Collaborative

3/12/2025

NEWARK, NJ – Four New York City-area public radio music stations are joining forces to form the Tri-State Public Radio Music Collaborative (TSPRMC), a landmark partnership between WBGO 88.3 FM (Newark Public Radio), WQXR 105.9 FM (New York Public Radio), WFUV 90.7 FM (Fordham University Public Radio) and WSHU 91.1 FM (Sacred Heart University Public Radio). The stations will collaborate to create content, build audiences and generate revenue.

THE JAZZ TRAIN Heads to Pittsburgh Jazz Fest September 18

2/28/2025

Save the Date for
the 15th Anniversary Celebration of
the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Co-Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
September 18-21, 2025

Tickets for THE JAZZ TRAIN, in Partnership with Amtrak,
and VIP PASSES
Are Available NOW at https://pittsburghjazzfest.org

Hosted by Renowned Pianist ORRIN EVANS,
THE JAZZ TRAIN Departs September 18
with Stops in New York, Newark and Philadelphia
and Returns September 22

PITTSBURGH, PA, February 26, 2025 – Save the date for the 15th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Co-Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (PIJF), set for Thursday, September 18 – Sunday, September 21, 2025. This year's festival celebrates 15 years of world-class jazz in Pittsburgh, boosting the local economy and enriching our community—a commitment shared by Highmark's charitable giving and community involvement program, Highmark Bright Blue Futures.

ROGER GUENVEUR SMITH RETURNS TO AWAACC

2/21/2025

Roger Guenveur Smith Brings Solo Performance
IN HONOR OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT,
to August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Thursday, February 27, 2025

PITTSBURGH, PA, February 20, 2025 – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is proud to present acclaimed actor Roger Guenveur Smith in his latest solo performance, IN HONOR OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, on February 27, 2025, at 7:30 PM. This powerful theatrical tribute, presented in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Theater and The House of Life Pittsburgh, explores the enduring legacy of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat through Smith’s signature blend of storytelling, history, and poetic lyricism.

<<Previous

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Launches "Fuel the Future" Fundraising Drive to Secure Its Next Chapter

Grammy-Nominated Vocalist/Pianist Andy Bey ​Passes Away at 85

Jazzmobile Continues Its Celebration of Jazz Appreciation Monthwith Wycliffe Gordon’s International All-Stars & Friendson International Jazz Day, April 30, 7:00 pm, at Aaron Davis Hall

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents Poetry Unplugged: Always August, A Night of Powerful Spoken Word and Art Friday, April 18, 7:00 pm

DS Kinsel Presents New Work at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center Inspired by the August Wilson Archive

Roger Guenveur Smith Brings Solo Performance IN HONOR OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, to August Wilson African American Cultural Center Thursday, February 27, 2025

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