Chaka Khan headlines Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Chaka Khan will perform at the 11th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival this weekend.
The 10-time Grammy-award winning singer will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday at the Benedum Center, Downtown.
Khan’s musical repertoire encompasses rhythm and blues, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. She has released 22 albums and has had 10 Billboard No. 1 songs.
An afterparty — “Through the Fire” – will be held for Khan ticket holders at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
The festival, which runs through Sunday, is hosted by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and celebrates Black culture.
“Jazz is synonymous with Pittsburgh, and, for more than a decade, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival has been a hallmark event for our community as well as a destination for music lovers and the most innovative jazz musicians in the world,” said Janis Burley Wilson, president and CEO of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. “To address the changes that are happening globally, we have reimagined this festival to meet the challenges and create an event that is safe and sustainable. I am thrilled that we are able to come together in-person to enjoy this incredible group of artists at a time when our community needs shared, communal experiences again the most.”
Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination.
Masks are strongly encouraged, regardless of vaccination status, and required for all indoor events.
The event has partnered with CrowdPass, a secure software platform that allows ticket holders to upload their vaccination record in advance. Tickets can be purchased here.
“As we continue to address the evolving challenges that are happening globally, these updated protocols allow us to safeguard our community and everyone involved with the (Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival), which is a hallmark of our city and a beacon for some of the world’s greatest musicians,” Wilson said.
In addition to Khan, other performers include vocalist Dianne Reeves; Grammy-winning instrumentalist, composer and producer Marcus Miller; jazz bassist and bandleader Christian McBride’s New Jawn; award-winning jazz pianist and composer Patrice Rushen & Friends; three-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis; Grammy-winning vocalist Gregory Porter; vocalist Jazzmeia Horn; and two-time Edison Award-winning trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah.
The festival has partnered with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. At 11 a.m. Saturday, they will present “Jazz Time! A Musical for Children and Families” on YouTube.
A festival lineup can be found here.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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