Barry Harris’s passing left a deep hole in the jazz community. One New York Times article famously reads “He played with Charlie Parker. For 15$ he’ll play with you.” This article of course describes the Barry Harris Tuesday workshops that he held for about 50 years in NYC which has been revered by jazz musicians and listeners as THE class for learning how to play the music.
On Sunday, December 10, tune in from 2-7 PM for an extensive profile on Bossa nova. Jazz host Rachel Smith tracks this genre––from its inception to its adoption into the American jazz scene to its surprising crossovers––in this 5-hour special program.Program schedule to be released soon! Image credits to respective owners.
WKCR is excited to announce a special birthday broadcast in honor of the legendary jazz trumpeter, Donald Byrd. As an influential figure in the world of jazz, Donald Byrd's contributions to the genre have left an indelible mark, inspiring countless musicians and enthusiasts around the globe. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Saturday shows.
We are very excited to announce that one of the defining voices of the newer generation of talent carrying forward the jazz legacy, Sean Mason will be joining WKCR in Studio for a live performance along his contemporary, Chris Lewis, playing music from Sean’s latest release: “The Southern Suite”. This Monday, November, 20th at 7:30pm on Jazz Alternatives, Sean and Chris will play a duo set, followed by an in-studio interview with Sean Mason to talk about his album and performance.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the timeless legacy of jazz icon Coleman Hawkins available for listening on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Tuesday shows.
Now is the time to help support your favorite radio station!
If WKCR contributes to your day in any way, we ask that you help support us stay on air. We are rely entirely on support from listeners so now is the time to help us stay on air, stay commercial free, stay 'alternative!'
Donate today through the link on our website (big yellow button!) or by calling (212) 851 - 2699 !
You can also support us via check by sending it to
WKCR FM
2920 Broadway
New York, New York
10027
Now is the time to help support your favorite radio station!
If WKCR contributes to your day in any way, we ask that you help support us stay on air. We are rely entirely on support from listeners so now is the time to help us stay on air, stay commercial free, stay 'alternative!'
Donate today through the link on our website (big yellow button!) or by calling (212) 851 - 2699 !
You can also support us via check by sending it to
WKCR FM
2920 Broadway
New York, New York
10027
WKCR announces a set of special memorial broadcasts honoring the life of American bassist Richard Davis, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for October 23rd-27th. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Out to Lunch shows.
On Sunday, October 29th, programmer Ian Pumphrey will guide 89.9 FM through the legendary story of one of Japan’s greatest musical groups—Fishmans. With a dub-oriented, dream-pop sound like no other, this Sunday Profile will feature a captivating mix of a band that has garnered an international cult-following.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 93rd birthday of American trumpeter Clifford Brown, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Monday, October 30th, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Monday shows.
Sid Gribetz presents a special five hour radio show celebrating the career of alto saxophonist Ernie Henry this Sunday October 22, 2023 from 2- 7 PM on "Jazz Profiles."
Not well known even in his brief lifetime, Ernie Henry was an astonishing musician of grace, style and profound emotion. Henry came up in the bebop days and was a key member of Dizzy Gillespie's 1948-9 big band, and he also participated in the more lyrical side of bebop with Tadd Dameron, Fats Navarro, Howard McGhee, and Walter "Gil" Fuller.
WKCR is proud to announce a 80-hour celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, the genre that revolutionized our societies and minds and remains an unfettered celebration of Black joy, creativity, and liberation. Our broadcast can be found on FM and HD radio and online all day from Wednesday, November 15 to 8am Saturday, November 18, 2023.
WKCR announces a 24-hour birthday celebration for Celia Cruz, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online all day on Saturday, October 21. This special broadcast will preempt regularly scheduled programming, running from what would normally be Som do Brazil to Saturday Night at the Opera.
WKCR announces a 24-hour birthday celebration for Fela Kuti, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online all day on Monday, October 16th. The special broadcast will run from the beginning of The Celtic Show until the end of Caribe Latino. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Monday shows. Owing to the 24-hour Ragas Live broadcast that will interfere with Fela Kuti’s actual birthday, October 15th, this broadcast will air the day after his birthday.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 83rd birthday of American saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 9.33 hours on Friday, October 13, 2023. The broadcast will take place during our jazz shows on Friday: Daybreak Express from 5-8:20 am, Out to Lunch from 12-3 pm, and Jazz Alternatives from 6-9 pm.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 106th birthday of American pianist Thelonious Monk, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Tuesday shows.
WKCR announces a 24-hour birthday celebration for Lata Mangeshkar, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online all day on Thursday, September 28th. The special broadcast will run from the middle of Som do Brasil until the end of The African Show. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Thursday shows.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 97th birthday of American saxophonist John Coltrane, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Saturday, September 23rd 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Saturday shows.
WKCR announces an overnight birthday broadcast jointly celebrating Fiona Apple and Nas, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online from 10 PM on Wednesday, September 13th to 6 AM on Thursday, September 14th. The special broadcast will run from Nueva Cancion until one hour into Thursday’s Daybreak Express. The broadcast will preempt all regularly scheduled Wednesday night early Thursday morning shows.
WKCR announces a 24-hour birthday celebration for Sonny Rollins’ 93rd birthday, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online all day on Thursday, September 7th.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 111th birthday of American composer John Cage, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Tuesday September 5th, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Tuesday shows.
Our annual three day birthday celebration for Lester Young and Charlie Parker is just around the corner!
August 27th, the 114th anniversary of the birth of Lester “Prez” Young will feature 24 hours of only Prez on WKCR’s airwaves.
August 28th will feature 24 hours of both Lester Young and Charlie Parker.
August 29th, the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Charlie “Bird” Parker will feature 24 hours of only Bird!
Tune in for this 72 hour radio tradition! On 89.9 FM in NY and streaming at wkcr.org
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 122nd birthday of American trumpeter Louis Armstrong, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Friday August 4th, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Friday shows.
Sid Gribetz presents a five hour radio broadcast celebrating the career of Elmo Hope, this Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 2-7 PM on "Jazz Profiles" on WKCR.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the 53rd birthday of American drummer Brian Blade, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Tuesday July 25th, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Tuesday shows.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the (alleged) 100th birthday of American drummer Philly Joe Jones, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Saturday July 15th, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Saturday shows.
WKCR announces a special broadcast celebrating the (alleged) 122nd birthday of American trumpeter Louis Armstrong, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online for 24 hours on Tuesday July 4th, 2023. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Tuesday shows.
Tune in tomorrow from 10am-12pm during The Moonshine Show to celebrate the life and work of bluegrass-mandolinist revolutionary and Kentucky-native, Bobby Osborne, who tragically passed away on June 27th.Osborne’s legacy lives on through his surviving brother and fellow co-founder of legendary bluegrass group, the Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne.
Join us this Saturday from 2PM to 6PM ET for a special four-hour celebration of blues legend Willie Dixon, songwriter, bass player, bandleader, and producer for the legendary Chess records and an unequaled contributor to the legacy and musical canon of the blues. We’ll play some of the numerous hits from his catalog as well as numerous other recordings and deep cuts.
89.9 FM and WKCR.org
ICYMI: The July issue of our On-Air Guide highlights our special broadcasts for the month, with pieces on Louis Armstrong, Willie Dixon, Mercedes Sosa and Wu - Tang Clan.
Check it out via the link here: https://issuu.com/wkcrfm/docs/july_onair
WKCR is currently covering these events on Columbia’s campus. Regularly scheduled programming will be intermittently preempted by these developments as they progress. Tune in at 89.9 FM or WKCR.org.
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