MCG Jazz

All arts and music programs of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild share a common vision born from founder Bill Strickland's personal experience: Our lives will be enriched, even transformed, through direct involvement in the making of art and personal exposure to the masters who teach and perform.

The mission of MCG Jazz is to preserve, present, and promote jazz. MCG Jazz strengthens the Pittsburgh jazz community and contributes to the overall cultural and artistic diversity of the region through its performances. MCG Jazz reaches both a national and international audience with its live recordings. Four of these MCG Jazz produced recordings have won Grammies of five that have been nominated.

Since 1987, MCG Jazz has brought audiences together at its 350-seat auditorium/music hall in Pittsburgh for innovative four-day performances and recordings. Many of these international masters of jazz—Joe Williams, Billy Taylor, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Ray Brown—need no introduction. MCG Jazz archives now contain more than 300 CDs worth of jazz history by those who represent the past, present, and future of jazz music. The performance series, one of the oldest in the nation, is an anchor of Pittsburgh’s cultural and community life, celebrating 20 years in 2006–2007.

The jazz artists come to MCG to perform with an understanding that we are a school, and most leave feeling that they received more from their MCG experience than they gave. They frequently mention “hope” and “the spirit of the place.” Many come back, choosing to record something unique on the MCG Jazz label.

Visit the MCG Jazz website for more information about upcoming releases and performances.