About the Uptown Jazz Series

The Mary Pappert School of Music is proud to present the Uptown Jazz Series, thanks, in part, to the generosity of the John R. Mattern Estate. These concerts regularly feature a variety of jazz styles from jazz faculty and visiting artists/ensembles.

Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the PNC Recital Hall. General admission tickets are a suggested donation of $10 and are available at the door (cash only, please).

In past years, this series has featured some sort of common thread. In its first year, UJS consisted of a showcase of the finest jazz performers and groups in Pittsburgh. More recently, the themes have included the history of jazz, retrospective concerts on influential jazz artists, concerts featuring the works of local jazz legends, and explorations of the influences that various types of media has had on jazz. 

Beginning with the 2022–2023 season, the Uptown Jazz Series took on a more concert-by-concert thematic approach.

This year's series, Retrospective, will look back at some of the previous UJS themes.

Upcoming Uptown Jazz Series Events

There are no upcoming events to display for this calendar.

Artistic Directors

 
Mike Tomaro plays saxophone.

Mike Tomaro, Program Director of Jazz Studies

Mike Tomaro has been the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA since 1997. Prior to his appointment at Duquesne, he lived in the Washington, D.C. area for seventeen years as a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble.

Read More about Mike Tomaro
A trombone player performing.

Jeff Bush, Assistant Program Director of Jazz Studies

Jeff Bush began studying music learning banjo and piano, after which he began his lifelong pursuit of the trombone. While a student at Youngstown State University, Bush performed with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Bush later toured with superstar Harry Connick, Jr.’s big band from 2007–2009.