MCG JAZZ AWARDED A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS GRANT FOR "CELEBRATING THE NATION'S 250TH BIRTHDAY WITH MUSIC FROM U.S. MILITARY BANDS
Plus, on June 18, 2026, the U.S. Navy Band Commodores,
the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, will perform two free public concerts
at the MCG Jazz Music Hall.
| Pittsburgh, PA | June 2026 |
MCG Jazz is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for “Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military Bands.”
U.S. military bands have long reflected the nation’s spirit through a rich range of musical traditions—from marching and orchestral to vocal and jazz—and engage communities nationwide through ceremonial, educational, and public performances. In the lead-up to and during our nation’s historic milestone, projects across the country will feature free concerts, community performances, educational residencies, and large-scale civic events with bands from all military branches.
A grant of $13,000 will support public performances and educational programming featuring the United States Navy Band Commodores in recognition of Freedom 250.
Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Mary Anne Carter said, “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support projects that celebrate the enduring legacy of U.S. military bands. These awards recognize the vital role military bands have played throughout American history—from the nation’s earliest days to the present—as powerful symbols of national identity, bringing music to public life and honoring service through a wide range of musical styles and traditions.”
On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, will perform two free public concerts at the MCG Jazz Music Hall. Since 1969, the Commodores have represented the United States through performances that celebrate the rich tradition of American jazz while supporting educational, ceremonial, and community engagement efforts nationwide.
"Jazz is America's art form. At its heart, it's a conversation, bringing different voices together, listening deeply, and creating something larger than any one individual could create alone,” says Marty Ashby, Executive Producer of MCG Jazz. “The story of jazz is the story of American creativity, honoring tradition while always reaching for something new. We're honored to welcome the Navy Commodores to MCG Jazz and to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary through a musical tradition that continues to connect people across generations and communities.”
In addition to the performances, members of the Commodores will participate in educational programming with regional students, including a discussion and open sound check experience that will provide young musicians with an opportunity to observe and learn directly from professional performers. These activities reflect MCG Jazz's longstanding commitment to preserving, presenting, and promoting jazz through both performance and education.
Founded in 1987, MCG Jazz is one of the nation's longest-running subscription jazz concert series and has been recognized by DownBeat Magazine as a Great Jazz Venue for nine consecutive years. Through nearly four decades of concerts, recordings, and educational initiatives, MCG Jazz has connected audiences with many of the most important voices in jazz while helping to ensure the vitality of the art form for future generations.
Tickets are free, but must be reserved at mcgjazz.org or by calling (412) 322-0800. Limit 4 tickets per order:
For more information on the other “Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military Bands”grants, visit arts.gov/news.
For more information on MCG Jazz or the upcoming show,
please contact MCG Jazz at 412-322-0800 or visit www.mcgjazz.org.
Media inquiries: Marty Ashby MAshby@manchesterbidwell.org or Ashley Boynes-Shuck ABoynesShuck@manchesterbidwell.org.
