The first night of the 13th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival got off to a powerful start with performances from Nigel Hall and Madison McFerrin at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
Throughout his career, Nigel Hall has established a foundation of funk, onstage and in the studio, proving himself to be a true student of the music. His unique sound, built upon pages torn out of the golden-ages of R&B, funk and soul, have made him the musician he is today; an accomplished vocalist, keyboardist, studio musician and member of the Grammy-nominated funk-jazz-soul-hip-hop-psychedelic-jam-experimental titans Lettuce.
It was especially nice to hear emotional songs from Madison McFerrin's debut album "I Hope You Can Forgive Me" and get a chance to say hello after her set.
McFerrin produced the majority of the album herself. It features contributions from her father, Bobby McFerrin, as well as the 2022 single “Stay Away (From Me).”
Ledisi is the headliner tonight at the Cultural Center. You can hear my entire interview with Ledisi here.
Saturday and Sunday's lineup is at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.
