The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Celebrates National Jazz Appreciation Month in April

In collaboration with BNY Mellon, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will commemorate National Jazz Appreciation Month with Grammy Award winners, renowned musicians and iconic jazz masters this April 2013. Janis Burley-Wilson, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement/Jazz Programs is extremely excited about bringing these acts to Pittsburgh. "All of the artists that are featured this year dig down deep into their musical souls to create their own inimitable sound." She added, "We are proud to have these artists take the Cabaret Theater stage this April."

Lou Donaldson was named as a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master for 2013. He is a Bebop Alto-Saxophone titan and has played professionally for over six decades. "Sweet Papa Lou," has recorded and performed with Art Blakey, MiLes Davis and Theolonious Monk just to name a few.

Kenny Garrett is a Grammy Award winning American post-bop jazz saxophonist and flautist who gained fame in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and MiLes Davis' band. He has also recorded or performed with Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and McCoy Tyner.

Nicholas Payton is a Grammy Award winning Trumpeter from New Orleans Louisiana. Known for his prowess on the Fender Rhodes piano as well, Payton recently released "#BAM Live at Bohemian Caverns."

Veteran soul singer, Bettye Lavette, brings her caustic survivors wit to every performance. She has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and her latest CD is titled "Thankful N Thoughtful".

Sean Jones and Friends finish the month long celebration with their popular Jazz meets Funk repertoire. Funk and jazz drummer, Poogie Bell has played with Marcus Miller, Jill Scott and more, and is celebrated as one of the best funk drummers in the world. Sean Jones is a trumpeter, composer and educator. He was formerly the lead horn player with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Jones is currently a professor of Jazz Studies at Duquesne University and has eight critically acclaimed jazz albums to his credit.

All performances will take place at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. For tickets call 412-456-6666 or visit TrustArts.org.