Showing posts with label Pittsburgh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh. Show all posts

Saturday, May 17, 2025

House of Waters


 "House of Waters" performance was fantastic. A combination of Jazz, Rock, and World music. The program was part of Jazz Poetry month, organized by City of Asylum. Participating poets were Rania Mamoun, Solfia Elhillo, Nathan Osorion, and Haleh Liza Gafori (who has translated a collection of Rumi's poems)

Top-notch artistry.

5/17/2025

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Candlelight Concert

 


Candlelight concert

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

May 3rd, 2024

Rainy night!

Monday, January 29, 2024

City of Asylum Jazz Series: Paul Thompson Honors Wayne Shorter

Thursday night's event was a tribute to jazz legend Wayne Shorter, by Pittsburgh Jazz bassist and educator, Paul Thompson.

The performance was focused on acoustic works of Wayne Shorter's discography. Pieces such as Children of the Night, Virgo, Yes or No, Witchhunt, Both Sides Now, and Joy Ryder were played. Beautiful music and masterfully organized, as always!

Featured Musicians:

Paul Thompson: bass

Scott Boni: sax

Joe Sheehan: piano

George Heid III: drums


1/25/2024

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Saturday, October 21, 2023

The Barber of Seville

 


Music by Gioachino Rossini

Libretto by Cesare Sterbini

Attended 10/20/23

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Viewing Immigration Through a New Lens

Nicolò Filippo Rosso and Jose Munian, City of Aylum, 4/15/2023

It's no secret that I highly rate brave, independent, and conscientious journalism. Saturday was an opportunity to see the works of a photographer firsthand.  Nicolò Filippo Rosso's works were presented in the format of a photodocumentary directed by Jose Muniain. This exhibition was focused on a project titled Exodus. Rosso's worked extensively in South, Central, and North America. He tells the story of mass migration and the ordeal tens of thousands of these underprivileged communities face. 

I found the pictures moving and the innovative narrative and sharp direction of Munian helped make the message more poignant. I could see among the audience, individuals who shared my sensation of grief and shock by watching this documentary. The story itself is a humanitarian crisis that has been poorly handled globally. But I want to pay tribute to Mr. Russo for the dedicated effort he has put in. That was an example of why in the free world, journalism is considered a key pillar for progress.

Pedram
4/15/2023


Tuesday, April 4, 2023

 


Great jazz performance from the Dan Pugach Nonet hosted by City of Asylum (April 3rd, 2023)

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Three Rivers Art Festival

 Three rivers art festival. 

Attended on June 6th, and it was a special day with nice weather. I was slacking off after a nervy day. 

A cool breeze on my skin, with great tunes and a heavy heart.


Pedram, 6/7/22

 

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Sunday with Thomas Wendt Quintet

 


I attended this performance by Thomas Wendt quintet last week (Sunday, July25th) at the Sampsonia Way Tent. It was an event organized by the City of Asylum.

This was a group of top-notch musicians and accordingly, they selected a very nice repertoire. There were songs by a number of Jazz legends: Victor Young and Ed Washington ("My Foolish Heart"), Walter Bishop Jr., James Williams (hailing from Memphis), ...

It was a wonderful evening with beautiful tunes.

Thomas Wendt Quintet:

James Moore – trumpet

Jeff Bush – trombone

Deanna Witkowski – piano

Tony DePaolis – bass

Thomas Wendt on Drums




Sunday, May 30, 2021

Sunday in the Park

Sunday, March 23rd, 2021, Flagstaff Hill

 Last Sunday was a fascinating performance and more importantly a celebration of a new season in our social functions.

The playlist included the following:

  • "Canzonetta sull'aria", The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
  • "Madamina, il catalog e questo", Don Giovanni (Mozart)
  • "Un di see ben rammentomi", Rigoletto (Verdi)
  • "Par le rang...Salut a la France", The Daughter of the Regiment (Donzetti)
  • "Tous less trois reunis", The Daughter of the Regiment (Donizetti)
  • "Acerba volutta" Adirana Lecouvreur (Cilea)
  • "Au fond du temple saint", The Pearl Fishers (Bizet)
  • "Signore, ascolta", Turandot (Puccini)
  • "Largo al factotum", The Barber of Seville (Rossini)
  • "Habanera, Carmen (Bizet)
  • "La donna e mobile", Rigoletto (Verdi)
  • "Pa-pa-pa...", The Magic Flute (Mozart)
  • "Ah! Quelle est cette voix...Chere infant que j'appelle". The Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach)

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Monday, December 21, 2020

Sergei Rachmaninoff

 A pretty late discovery. The first time I listened to Rachmaninov with intent and engaged with his music was in April 2019 when Concerto no. 4 in G minor for piano and orchestra was performed by Garrick Ohlsson and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.


I have bought Rachmaninoff's complete orchestral works conducted by
Pavel Kogan and Evgeny Svetlanov. Particularly, I have listened to Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2 and they are truly moving. I am listening to digital versions and I can just imagine how this pleasure would have been enhanced listening to these symphonies live or on vinyl. 

Maybe someday!