Thursday Night Jazz: Kente Summer Madness Presents the Mark Strickland Quartet

Photo Credit: City of Asylum

Nothing says summer is here like the arrival of the Kente Summer Madness series at City of Asylum! The first of three concerts kicks off this July with legendary Pittsburgh guitarist Mark Strickland. Mark is no stranger to the Alphabet City stage, and his collaborations with some of the jazz scene’s most notable players are many, to say the least. Mark has performed with Grady Tate, Groove Holmes, Michelle Benson, John Heard, and Gene Ludwig, to name a few, and produced or engineered projects for the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Dakota Staton, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Smith, and more. 

In an interview with Jazz Guitar Today, Mark noted the tenacity of the many “monster players” Pittsburgh’s jazz scene has produced over the years and their influence on his chops as a musician: “You never knew what to expect, but it kept you sharp!” A monster player in his own right, this quartet performance, led by Mark Strickland, is not to be missed.  

This program is presented in partnership with Kente Arts Alliance, an African American arts organization whose mission is to present high-quality art of the African Diaspora. Kente’s aim is to present art with a purpose by presenting programs that entertain, inform, and uplift the residents of underserved communities.

About the Artist:

Mark Strickland is an American guitarist influenced by Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, and jazz and R&B legends. Mark began playing in 1963 in Pittsburgh, PA, mentored by regional R&B and jazz greats. Currently, Mark maintains a full-time performance schedule as a jazz guitarist, playing in jazz clubs, festivals, universities, and theatres, and is also a dedicated music educator with a private guitar studio for motivated students.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.