We’re only weeks into 2019 and we already have some great highlights we wanted to share:

  • Our calendar year-end campaign was a resounding success as our donors offered unprecedented support;
  • KEF Store Canada joined us as the new sponsor of Afternoon Drive with Brad Barker Monday to Friday 2-6pm, and First Listen, Mondays at 10pm and Saturdays at 8am;
  • Osteopathic Wellness Medicine (OWM) Buffalo has joined us as the new sponsor for Sky’s the Limit with Amy Sky. Join Amy Sundays at noon;
  • Corey Butler and ten vocalists thrilled the audience at the 30th Edition of the One-Stop Vocal Jazz Safari on January 9th;
  • Our 43rd Annual Sound of Jazz Concert Season started 2019 with a capacity crowd at the Jazz Tribute to Paul Simon with musical director Levon Ichkhanian;
  • Earfood, a new column by arts writer Ashante Infantry debuted this month. Earfood aims to nourish and satisfy your sonic curiosity. Ashante’s first two installments are posted on www.jazz.fm; and
  • Our donors experienced a phenomenal lineup of Cuban and Canadian artists on the International Jazz Safari to Cuba. The week away in Varadero was described by donors as their best Safari experience to date.

 

JAZZ.FM91 has recently debuted several new shows. We hope you have been tuning in to hear:

Gumbo Kitchen: Introducing some new sounds to your Saturday, Gumbo Kitchen is a musical journey with your host Ronnie Littlejohn to his favourite city, and the birthplace of jazz: New Orleans, Louisiana. Gumbo Kitchen is an authentic exploration of New Orleans jazz, swampy funk and second line brass bands. Tune in Saturdays at 7pm.

Reel Jazz Radio: REEL JAZZ RADIO will give you an hour of ‘jazz on film…but on the radio!’ This five-part series celebrates the music that makes cinema sing. Each week, host Thom Ernst, from TVO’s Saturday Night at the Movies, will spin a selection of film scores that transport audiences beyond the onscreen images. Tune in Saturdays at 1pm.

Session Notes: Session Notes will give you behind the scenes access to the stories of recording sessions, from the session players themselves. These are stories you can’t find anywhere else. Our first episode will feature multi-instrumentalist Colleen Allen. Session Notes airs Sundays at 3pm.

Sky’s the Limit with Amy Sky: Internationally-renowned Amy Sky provides her perspective as an accomplished singer, songwriter and producer as listeners unwind during their Sunday afternoons. Sky’s the Limit with Amy Sky airs Sundays from noon to 2pm.

 

And this is just the start! We look forward to another exciting year of sharing the wonderful world of jazz with you – our listeners and donors. Thank you for tuning in and supporting JAZZ.FM91.

 

Here is what some of you are saying:

“I want to tell you .. today was one of the best of ANY listens I’ve had in a long time.. just a great combo, great thoughts/heartfelt words in between.. what a pleasure! Have been a JAZZ.FM91 fan forever but not tuned in for awhile and didn’t know about (Songs I Wish I Had Written) …I’ll be there next week! Thank you!”
— Pam Carter.

 

“Gumbo Kitchen! Wow!!! Love, Love, LOVE this new radio show!!!!! Great, varied, musical line up. Cool patter. Just excellent Ronnie Littlejohn! You transported me to steamy, hot New Orleans while I was standing in my kitchen on a freezing Saturday in Toronto. Well done!”
— Hilarie, JAZZ.FM91 Facebook follower.

 

“We have enjoyed JAZZ.FM91 for many years. Keep up the wonderful work you do.”
— Joanne Bouvette.

 

“How wonderful that as a performer there is a current outlet in JAZZ.FM91 looking to support local performers. JAZZ.FM91 provides them with new opportunities to share their gifts with a truly supportive audience.”
— Justin Bacchus, vocalist at JAZZ.FM91’s One-Stop Jazz Safari and Sound of Jazz Tribute to Paul Simon.


We would love to hear from you. Drop us a line at comments@jazz.fm