In the late 80s, musician Marty Ashby worked for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and experimented with smaller jazz events on the side. Then he met the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. He knew he'd found his calling.
Ashby took a chance, he said, quitting the PSO and setting out to create a jazz subscription series. More than 30 years later, he's produced thousands of concerts and scores of albums, including five Grammy winners, and remains the executive producer of MCG Jazz.
WESA’s Bob Studebaker talked to Ashby about his career and his staying power in Pittsburgh jazz.
Later in the program, 90.5 WESA's Chris Potter explains the latest in the long-awaited OnePGH initiative announced last spring. The program was supposed to create avenues through which nonprofits, foundations and private business could support the city's social well-being, but planning and partner buy-in have been slow-going.
President Trump often references Pennsylvania as a site for the coal industry's rebirth, but as Keystone Crossroads’ Jen Kinney reports, he may have trouble scoring a second victory in 2020.
And a compensation fund for survivors of child sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy is expected to begin accepting applications later this month. Tribune-Review reporters Jamie Martines and Aaron Aupperlee explain how the fund works, how survivors are responding and loopholes that could make some victims ineligible for financial support, plus the financial fate for dioceses who've faced similar scandals.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators join veteran journalist Kevin Gavin, taking an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
