Jazz Harpists: The music of Dorothy Ashby

With the health, well-being, and comfort of all as our top priorities, City of Asylum requires that our staff, artists, and all those attending an event be fully vaccinated. Please click here to learn more about our Covid 19 policies. 

Yoko Suzuki has created a brand new series of jazz concerts at City of Asylum that combine her saxophone skills with her expertise in ethnomusicology. This year Yoko explores the history of female jazz harpists / composers and the rarely heard contributions they made to the jazz scene. The first concert in a series of three spotlights the music of Dorothy Ashby. 

In the world of jazz, harpist Dorothy Ashby had a unique and singular presence. She was a bebop master on her instrument, and used her talents to convince naysayers who insisted the harp belonged in the classical realm. 

The program includes a conversation with Ashby scholar and harpist Dr. Jennifer Betzer followed by a concert featuring Pittsburgh based harpist Nuiko Wadden. 

Featured musicians: 

Nuiko Wadden – harp

Jeff Grubbs – bass

James Johnson III – drums

Yoko Suzuki – saxophone

Theron Brown – piano

Maureen Conlon-Gutierrez – violin

Rochelle Agnew – violin

About your visit: 

The in-house restaurant 40 North  will be closed but a cash bar will be available.