The Pittsburgh Black Music Festival is a tribute to the legacy groups, artists, and promoters who pioneered black music in the city of Pittsburgh. It honors influential figures like Sellers McKee Hall, who organized the first Big Band competitions in the 1920s-30s, as well as renowned musicians including Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamal, Phyllis Hyman, and George Benson. The festival also recognizes Mary Lou Williams, who initiated the first Pittsburgh Jazz Festival at the Civic Arena in 1964, as well as the more recent Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival.
Since its inception in 2018, the Pittsburgh Black Music Festival has celebrated the three primary genres of black music created in North America: Gospel, Jazz, and Soul/R&B. The festival invites both local and national artists from across the country to join in the commemoration of black music in Pittsburgh.
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The festival will take place from July 13-15 at Point State Park and Liberty Ave. It offers free admission to attendees and provides a platform for small business vendors to showcase their art/crafts, food, and other items. The vendors will be set up on Liberty and Penn Aves (between Stanwix and Commonwealth Place) from 11 am onwards each day. By supporting these local vendors, festival-goers can contribute to the revitalization of the small black business community in Western PA.
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The Pittsburgh Black Music Festival promises great entertainment and an opportunity to celebrate black music in Pittsburgh. Here is the schedule of performances:
THUR July 13th:
- 4:30 pm: Roger Humphries
- 5:30 pm: Adam Hawley
- 6:30 pm: Will Downing
- 8:00 pm: The Black Byrds
FRI July 14th:
- 5:30 pm: Dorinda Clark-Cole
- 6:30 pm: Le’Andria Johnson
- 8:00 pm: Karen Clark-Shread
SAT July 15th:
- 2:30 pm: Tim Stevens Jazz Band (local)
- 4:00 pm: Rose Royce
- 5:00 pm: Ruff Endz
- 6:00 pm: DJ Mannie Fresh (50-year Celebration of Hip Hop)
- 7:30 pm: Musiq Soulchild
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Music fans are invited to join the Pittsburgh Black Music Festival for a fantastic celebration of black music, featuring talented artists and an opportunity to support local businesses.
