Jazz on the Steps: (1) Ben Barson (2) Funky Fly Project
Jazz on the Steps is a summer institution at the Homewood branch of the Carnegie Library, delivered by Dr. Jacqueline Young and Jazz Workshop. Two notable performances were Ben Barson (and compatriots) and Funky Fly Project. A nice touch: FFP brought Kool’s “Summer Madness” to its show.
Elias Khouri, Flood City Music Festival
Many months ago, I received an inquiry from Flood City’s management about one of Pittsburgh’s hottest commodities, and so it turned out that Elias Khouri’s band opened the 2019 festival. Notably, it was the first performance on the Community Foundation Oilhouse stage since new acoustic treatments were installed. It was good to see the band has retained the keyboard and sax additions that I saw last fall at PumpkinFest in Homestead.
A contact at Flood commented after the festival that they were “impressed by Elias’ poise in taped interviews and other contexts. Beyond his musicianship, he has a real talent for self-promotion, among many other intangibles. It will be exciting to watch his career develop.”
soulshowmike’s Shows of Note for this week
- Tune It! Tuesdays at Black Forge Coffee Shop, 8/20
- Thomas Wendt at Katz Plaza, 8/20
- A Taste of Soul at Genuine Pub, 8/20
- Ken Karsh at Flagstaff Hill, 8/21
- Spirit Sessions at Spirit, 8/21
- Gene Stovall at Spirit, 8/22 *******HIGHLY RECOMMENDED******
- Art In The Park at Penn Ave. Parklet, Wilkinsburg, 8/22
- Gladys Knight at Heinz Hall, 8/23
- Rock Reggae & Relief at Market Square, 8/24 & 8/25
- Tony Campbell at Wallace’s Whiskey Room, 8/24
- Ronni Weiss & Friends at Riverview Park, 8/24
- Yoko Suzuki Trio at Highland Park, 8/25
- Ras Prophet at Fox Chapel Yacht Club, 8/25
- George Heid at Wallace’s Whiskey Room, 8/25
- Smooth Groove Sunday at Rocks Landing, 8/25