MCG Jazz is preparing to celebrate a milestone season, marking 40 years of serving as a home for jazz music and its culture in the Pittsburgh region.

The jazz organization’s 4oth anniversary season for 2026-27 will be highlighted by performances from Gerald Albright, Billy Childs, José James, Arturo Sandoval, John Scofield and Yellowjackets with Kurt Elling.

“MCG Jazz presented its very first concert with Pittsburgh’s own Roger Humphries, Rabbit Barnes and Mark Strickland,” said Marty Ashby, the group’s executive director. “For the past 40 years, we’ve continued to showcase our hometown masters alongside hundreds of touring jazz legends, helping to keep Pittsburgh’s jazz community vibrant and thriving.”

The Sept. 26 season opener will include the induction of the the next group of Pittsburgh Jazz Legends, as well as a special performance celebrating the connection of Fallingwater and the Manchester Bidwell building, which houses MCG Jazz. The night includes two newly commissioned pieces: Mike Tomaro’s “Fallingwater” and Andy Farber’s “Usonian Suite.”

In its 40 years, the organization has presented more than 2,500 concerts at its 350-seat concert hall, with more than a half million guests.

Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III, a Pittsburgh native, has been named the 2026-27 Artist-in-Residence, following in the footsteps of keyboardist/producer Ray Angry (2024-25) and actress/singer Tamara Tunie (2025-26.)

“MCG has been a part of my lifelong journey with jazz from the very beginning, so it feels very full-circle to return home and have the honor of being the Artist-in-Residence for the 40th season — a thrill!” Benack said.

Full schedule

• Sept. 26: Jazz Legends Event: Fallingwater 90th Usonian Suite with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra

• Oct. 24: Rick Braun plays Chuck Mangione

• Nov. 14: Gerald Albright

• Nov. 20: John Scofield’s “Electrospective”

• Dec. 5: Stella Cole “Christmas Dreaming”

• Dec. 19: Spanish Harlem Orchestra — Salsa Navidad

• Jan. 30, 2027: José James sings Sinatra with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra

• March 6, 2027: Billy Childs’ 70th Birthday Band with Sean Jones, Steve Wilson, Matt Penman and Ari Hoenig

• March 20, 2027: Artist-in-residence Benny Benack III’s “The Magic of Manhattan”

• April 10, 2027: Yellowjackets with Kurt Elling

• April 24, 2027: Arturo Sandoval

• May 15, 2027: Django Festival Allstars with Anat Cohen