Carnegie Carnegie by Melanie Paglia: Jazz Stories series being told 'Downstairs'

Listen Locally Downstairs is getting personal in 2020 with a new series, Jazz Stories.

Since 2017, the Carnegie Carnegie’s intimate Studio space (Downstairs) has brought audiences close to the music and Jazz Stories promises to bring you even closer to the artists.

We’ve partnered with drummer, Thomas Wendt, of Lighthouse Arts, Inc. to curate a lineup of great local jazz musicians for the series. Wendt will serve as host, guiding audiences through the personal stories of six Pittsburgh jazz artists throughout the year. Our featured artists will share their stories, their roots, inspirations, and journeys in a concert celebrating each of their unique jazz careers. Artists will represent a diverse selection of jazz styles, instruments and tenure in the scene.

Jazz Stories is unique; we’ve taken what works well with Listen Locally Downstairs — the intimacy, the opportunity for audience and artist to connect — and really amplified that idea. Too often great musicians are relegated to the background in more casual venues where drinks and chatter pull focus. At the Carnegie Carnegie, the music always matters. That’s why we’re especially pleased to partner with Wendt, whose work with the Lighthouse Arts, Inc. serves to preserve and promote the history and culture of America’s musical heritage through education and outreach and (most importantly), by celebrating local, contemporary jazz artists. Talk about aligning missions!

Wendt selected guitarist Mark Strickland to kick off the series on Wednesday, March 18. This follows Strickland’s fabulous March 6 Music Hall performance with Jessica Lee in their salute to Pittsburgh’s own, Maxine Sullivan. In the Studio, Strickland and his trio will share some great stories and classic jazz guitar music inspired by the likes of Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and Grant Green. In addition to maintaining a full-time performance schedule, Strickland is also an accomplished sound engineer and dedicated music educator. He began playing in Pittsburgh in 1963, influenced by jazz and R&B legends who appeared in our regions renowned jazz clubs like Crawford Grill, the Hurricane, and the Roosevelt Theater.

The series will continue to run on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. March-May and September-November. Tickets are always $10. Your advance purchase ensures your seat and is greatly appreciated as it helps us to best prepare a great event for you.

We invite you to join us Downstairs for a laid-back, mid-week, conversational concert unlike any other around. And if you haven’t yet checked out our industrial, hipster chic, gymnasium turned multi-purpose Studio space this year, we’re thrilled to share that it now has a wonderfully welcoming entrance. Even better news — it has been enhanced with a full acoustic treatment - designed for a great listening experience.

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Doors Open at 6:30p.m., concerts begins at 7

Tickets: $10

Complimentary snacks, drinks available by donation.

March 18 - Mark Strickland

April 15 - George Heid III

May 20 - Lynn Speakman

For more information and ticketing, visit CarnegieCarnegie.org or call 1-800-838-3006.