Thursday Night Jazz: Off Minor & Emmett Goods Honor J.C. Moses

Pittsburgh-born trombonist Emmett Goods returns home to celebrate his grandfather, the legendary drummer J.C. Moses. Largely forgotten, Moses was an important part of the post-bop NYC Jazz scene of the 1960s, performing and recording with Clifford Jordan, Kenny Dorham, Eric Dolphy, Archie Shepp, Charles Lloyd, Bud Powell, and Don Cherry, among many others. Emmett and company will perform compositions associated with J.C.’s long career, while discussing his life and legacy.

About the Artists:

As a performer Emmett Goods has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists crossing over multiple genres. In the jazz arena he has shared the stage with Dr. Billy Taylor, Eddie Harris, Louie Bellson, Avery Sharpe, Wycliffe Gordon, and Roger Humphries among others. In the area of Pop music he has performed with the Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight. Latin music is a specialty of his, and as such, he has performed with the likes of Ismael Miranda, Kevin Caballo, Domingo Quiñones, Tony Vega, and Yomo Toro. He is also a member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra and leads his own band: the Latin Jazz Project. Emmett has recorded with artists such as the Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, El Camino (2021); Jennifer Holliday, The Song is You (2014, Shanicie); Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling, Destined for Greatness (2009); Mausiki Scales & the Common Ground Collective, The Water Brought Us, (2008); and Donnie McClurkin, Demo (2007). These just highlight some of the great studio work Dr. Goods has done.

Thomas Wendt is a graduate of the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and has been a professional musician since the age of 14. Based in Pittsburgh, Thomas is an active member of the current Jazz scene playing with groups led by Joe Negri, Dwayne Dolphin, Mark Strickland, Kenia, and the latin Jazz group Salsamba, in addition to leading his own groups including the sextet, Firm Roots. He is also a member of the newly reformed Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. Thomas has played with many visiting international Jazz greats including Clark Terry, Donald Byrd, David “Fathead” Newman, Benny Golson, Monty Alexander, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Curtis Lundy and Geri Allen. Recently Thomas has played with NEA Jazz Master Hubert Laws at several major Jazz festivals and with pianist Alan Broadbent for the Nyack, NY library Jazz series, as well as traveling with alto saxophonist Jim Snidero. He has recorded with Gene Ludwig, Sandy Staley, Maureen Budway, Steve Davis and Jay Ashby, Joe Negri, David Budway, Ron Affif, Freddy Cole and Sean Jones (w/ the Pgh Jazz Orch.), Gloria Reuben and Brazilian vocalist Kenia. Thomas has been on the faculty of The Afro-American Music Institute since 1998 and Duquesne University since 2015 where he teaches drums, chamber Jazz ensemble and Jazz history.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant Cucina Alfabeto is open for dinner from 5-9pm. Please visit Open Table or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.