By The sixth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival pushed the boundaries of styles and genres. The three-day event, which concluded Sunday, focused on music ranging from traditional jazz and rhythm and blues, to soul and Latin jazz Afro Peruvian style.
Among the headliners included the Grammy-award winning pianist/bandleader Eddie Palmieri and his Big Salsa Orchestra, to the iconic multiple Grammy-winning pianist Chick Corea and his Trilogy Trio, which featured virtuoso bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade, who has performed and recorded with everyone from Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell to Wayne Shorter.
The event had three stage set up along Penn and Liberty avenues in the Cultural District. Local musicians also performed in Downtown clubs and restaurants.
“Pittsburgh has a lot of great musicians and we deserve to have a festival here,” said Janis Burley Wilson, director of jazz programs for Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and founder and organizer of the Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival.
The festival concluded with fans dancing along Penn Avenue to the music of Eddie Palmieri’s and his Big Salsa Orchestra.
“I’m happy to be back in Pittsburgh,” said Mr. Palmieri before stepping onto the stage. From the looks of it, the crowd was happy he was back, too.