The impending winter storm didn’t keep crowds away for Saturday’s debut of “Freedom House,” L.E. McCullough’s play about the country’s first ambulance service staffed by medically-trained paramedics, Freedom House Ambulance Service in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.
But 24 hours later, with a massive winter storm having dumped more than a foot of snow across the Pittsburgh region, Monday’s jazz concert celebrating the play was rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 28.
MCG Jazz will present “A Concert Celebrating the Spirit of Freedom House,” as bassist Jeff Grubbs, drummer Roger Humphries, pianist Max Leake and saxophonist Mark Jackovic perform within the set of “Freedom House” on the New Hazlett Theater stage.
Jackovic, 36, of Pittsburgh, spoke with TribLive about playing alongside some of Pittsburgh’s jazz luminaries and creating music in the unique setting.
This interview has been edited for length.
Q: Have you had a chance to play before with this particular grouping of Pittsburgh musicians, and what are you most looking forward to?
A: I’ve been fortunate to perform with Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin and Max Leake many times since around 2016. When Marty Ashby asked me to lead the MCG Jazz School of Swing program that meant working with one of Pittsburgh’s greatest rhythm sections several times a year. Through the School of Swing program, MCG Jazz has inspired tens of thousands of elementary students to fall in love with the American music called jazz.
Each time I perform with these great Pittsburgh musicians I get another chance to learn more about the history of jazz. That is what I am most excited about and getting another opportunity to honor the great jazz musicians that happen to be from Pittsburgh.
Q: Do you think performing within the set of “Freedom House” will have an effect on how the performance plays out?
A: One of the great lessons I have learned from the founder of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Bill Strickland, is that “environment effects behavior.” The New Hazlett Theater set-up plus the set of “Freedom House” will absolutely affect how I play and how I interact with the musicians and audience.
Q: What is the biggest challenge in preparing for a performance like this?
A: My personal challenge in preparing for this performance is controlling and understanding my nerves. I have to remind myself that all the members of the band are working together each second to support one another. There are no feelings of animosity or competition. We are working together to present the music in the best way we can in the moment. I am so thankful to have another opportunity to make music with my friends.
Q: What can people attending look forward to hearing?
A: Well I don’t want to give to much away but I can say you can count on hearing a selection from Stanley Turrentine’s repertoire. As the education and archives manager at MCG Jazz I’m the steward of our Stanley Turrentine archives. With each passing year I learn more and more about why Stanley is a legend of jazz who again just happened to be from Pittsburgh.
Q: What should people know about Pittsburgh’s current jazz scene?
A: There are many organizations like MCG Jazz whose mission includes supporting the next generation of jazz musicians from Pittsburgh such as Center of Life, Afro-American Music Institute, and Urban Impact. These nonprofit arts organizations need your support more than ever.
If you want to go out and support jazz and the businesses where the music happens, listen to Pittsburgh’s jazz station, WZUM 101.1 FM, online or on the radio. They tell their audience about each week’s jazz performances throughout the city and the many neighborhoods that surround Pittsburgh.
I lead a jam session in Dormont the second Thursday of each month with the goal of creating a relaxed and nurturing environment to foster young musicians to engage with jazz and its creators. I am so grateful for Arsenal Cider House in Dormont and Parking Pad Productions for their support in giving Mark Jackovic and the Jazz Influence a space to allow this mentorship to happen.