Even though the Jazz Studies Program in the Department of Music has been without a permanent director for more than a year, the annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concerts that the late Nathan Davis started more than 50 years ago will continue.

Started in 1971, it was the first academic jazz seminar in the country to feature international artists connecting with aspiring students in a free lecture format, then performing together as an ensemble at the end of the week.

The 53rd annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concerts will run from Oct. 30 to a concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 featuring jazz masters from around the country at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse, 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. In the past, the concluding concert has been at Oakland’s Carnegie Hall, but it is currently undergoing renovations.

This year’s national musician lineup for the Nov. 4 show includes: Victor Gould (piano); Keyon Harrold (trumpet); Camille Thurman (saxophone and vocals); Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Lenny White (drums); and Buster Williams (bass). Aaron Johnson (trombone), assistant professor and interim director of the Pitt Jazz Studies Program, will join the musicians on stage. During the concert, Pittsburgh trumpeter, arranger and long-time director of the Pitt Jazz Ensemble Ralph Guzzi will be honored for his years of service to the Pitt Jazz Studies Program.

Tickets for the Nov. 4 show are $40 for the public and $10 for students with an ID. Tickets are available at https://www.jazz.pitt.edu/jazzseminar. All other components of Jazz Week are free.

The Department of Music is currently seeking applications for the William S. Dietrich II Endowed Chair in Jazz Studies and Artistic Director of Jazz Studies, to begin on Sept. 1, 2024, pending budgetary approval. The job posting seeks someone with an “International reputation of outstanding accomplishment in jazz performance, recording, composition/arranging; record of excellence in teaching jazz performance, scholarship, and related subjects.”

Davis founded the Jazz Studies Program in 1969 and led it until his retirement in 2013. In 2013, world renowned jazz pianist and Pitt alumna, Geri Allen, took over as director until her death in 2017. Nicole Mitchell Gantt, an award-winning jazz flutist and composer, led the program from 2018 until last year, when she left for the University of Virginia. The program is currently led by interim director and professor Aaron Johnson.

Other Jazz Week activities and performances

OCT. 30

Noon: Performance by Pitt Small Jazz Ensemble, William Pitt Union Plaza

OCT. 31

Noon: Performance by Pitt Jazz Ensemble, William Pitt Union Ballroom

5:30 p.m.: “A Conversation with Jazz Photographer Jeffrey Kliman,” Hillman Library Archives & Special Collections Room, 3rd floor. Kliman and Archives & Special Collections Media Curator Miriam Meislik will focus on Kliman’s experiences photographing jazz legends. He will take audience members behind the scenes of the Newport Jazz Festival and similar events and will explain how his career evolved. A Q&A session will follow and some of Kliman’s work will be on display.

NOV. 1

7 p.m.: Film Screening: “A Great Day in Harlem” (1994), Cathedral of Learning, room G24. This acclaimed documentary, directed by Jean Bach, explores the story behind the famous jazz image that came about when photographer Art Kane assembled dozens of leading jazz musicians for a group photo in Harlem during the summer of 1958.

NOV. 2

7 p.m.: Film Screening: “Hargrove” (2022), School of Public Health auditorium, room G23. In a screening marking the fifth anniversary of Roy Hargrove’s death, this film follows the jazz trumpet legend through a summer European tour in what would be the last year of his life. Jazz icons from Sonny Rollins to Herbie Hancock reflect on Hargrove’s contributions and influence. Director Eliane Henri will present the documentary and take questions afterwards. This screening by Kente Arts Alliance is presented in cooperation with Pitt Jazz Studies.

NOV. 3

1 p.m.: Maya Kronfeld, a visiting scholar from Duke University, will address “Retheorizing Spontaneity: Between Jazz, Philosophy, and Toni Morrison’s Verbal Art.” Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

3:30 p.m.: Academic panel on “Ahmad Jamal: In Appreciation,” Pitt’s Hill District Community Engagement Center, 1908 Wylie Ave. Moderated by Michael P. Mackey, director of vocal music and the Masque Drama Society at Central Catholic High School, panelists will discuss the life and musical contributions of Pittsburgh pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal, who passed away in April of this year. Mackey, who holds a Ph.D. in music from Pitt, wrote his dissertation on Jamal.

7:30 p.m.: Solo concert by pianist Benito Gonzalez, Bellefield Hall Auditorium. $10 general admission; $5 students with valid ID. Find tickets here.

NOV. 4

Free jazz seminars

1 p.m.: Nicole Mitchell, flautist, professor of music at University of Virginia and former director of Pitt Jazz Studies, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

2 p.m.: Pianist Victor Gould, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

2 p.m.: Saxophonist and jazz vocalist Camille Thurman, Afro American Music Institute, 7131 Hamilton Ave.

3 p.m.: Trumpeter and hip-hop producer Keyon Harrold, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium