For our 10/6 Tennessee Border Show, WKCR will be celebrating the life and legacy of Kris Kristofferson who passed away this past week. Tune in to hear his music as well as covers of his songs and tracks from artists he inspired! Hosted from 12-2 by Ale Díaz-Pizarro
WKCR is very excited to announce a three-part birthday celebration for virtuoso Yusef Lateef. We will dedicate all three of our jazz shows (5-8:20 AM, 12-3 PM, 6-9 PM) to Yusef’s music. He was born William Emanuel Huddleton in Tennessee, but moved to Detroit at five years old. There, he discovered the sounds of jazz from the likes of Milt Jackson, Paul Chambers, Elvin Jones, and Kenny Burrell. He bought an alto saxophone for $80 when he was eighteen and started to play.
Tune in to WKCR on Thursday, October 10, for 24 hours of Thelonious Sphere Monk’s music in celebration of the 107th anniversary of his birth. Monk was born in North Carolina, but moved into the San Juan Hill (now Lincoln Center) neighborhood of Manhattan at 4 years old. He started playing piano at age 9, learning in the stride piano style. Monk dropped out of high school to pursue music. In 1941, Kenny Clarke hired Monk to be the house pianist at Minton’s Playhouse, the epicenter of “modern” music.
Tune into WKCR 89.9 FM or wkcr.org this Sunday, September 29th, 2-7 PM EST for a Sunday Profile featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant, praised by Angela Davis as "her generation's most accomplished jazz vocalist." Hosted by Ari, this Sunday Profile starts at the beginning of Salvant's career and features selected performances up through her newest studio album, Mélusine. Salvant's incredible storytelling shines through in each performance, particularly Mélusine, which illustrates the Euro
WKCR is excited to announce a special 48-hour salsa festival broadcast starting on Monday, September 30, in honor of Puerto Rican salsa legend Héctor Lavoe’s birthday. The festivities will continue on Tuesday, October 1, celebrating the greats of salsa. During this time, all regularly scheduled programs will be preempted. WKCR takes pride in being the first radio station to bring salsa music to the airwaves of New York City in 1971.
WKCR mourns the loss of Philly native jazz icon Benny Golson, after it was reported today that he has passed away at the age of 95. An incomparable musician, composer, and arranger, it is hard to imagine what the jazz world would be like today without his contributions over a near 70-year career.
Tune into WKCR 89.9 FM or wkcr.org on Sunday, September 22 from 2 - 7 PM (ET) to catch host Rachel Smith's five-hour profile of master musician, composer, and bandleader Charles Mingus. The interview will feature Mingus music, recorded from the '50s through today. The music will be enhanced with exclusive interviews with Charles's son Eric, a musician in his own right; Charles's friend and biographer Janet Coleman; and many members of the Mingus Big Band. Learn about the man and his music––only on WKCR!
WKCR is delighted to announce a unique 24-hour broadcast to celebrate the life and work of pioneering music historian, feminist, and record-label head Rosetta Reitz. This broadcast will truly be one of a kind, including both the entire catalog of Rosetta Records—a label founded by Rosetta Reitz that released often sidelined or underappreciated music of early women of the Blues and Jazz—and special interviews, recordings, and finds from the WKCR library and other archival collections.
WKCR announces a special 24-hour broadcast on Friday, September 27, in celebration of the centennial of Bud Powell’s birth. This celebration will preempt all regularly scheduled programs.
Join WKCR on Monday, September 23 as we conduct our annual all-day tribute to John Coltrane on the 98th anniversary of his birth.
On Monday, September 16th, Caribe Latino and Urbano Latinx will be pre-empted for a
3-hour Mexican Independence Day special, playing traditional and contemporary music from all over the country. Tune in from 10pm-12am to hear Ale Díaz-Pizarro, and then stay tuned 12am-1am to hear Natalie Najar.
Listen at 89.9 FM NY and stream at wkcr.org.
Tune in on Sunday, September 15th, 2 - 7 PM EST, for a deep dive into the work of one of hip hop’s most influential and transcendental artists: André 3000. From putting Southern hip hop on the map in Atlanta-based duo Outkast to his critically acclaimed features, and now to his solo venture into spiritual, ambient jazz, André 3000’s evolution as an artist and a visionary has continually ascended beyond the boundaries of genre.
Listen at 89.9 FM in NY & wkcr.org anywhere around the globe.
WKCR is deeply saddened by the passing of Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes who was a catalyst in defining the sound of Latin pop and dance music and bringing Bossa Nova to the U.S in the 1960s. Mendes’ ensemble Brasil ‘66 hit single “Mais Que Nada” boosted his music career. The Band’s mix of light jazz, a bossa nova beat, and contemporary soft pop melodie perfectly captures why Bossa Nova is so incredibly.
Sid Gribetz presents Dinah Washington for five hours this Sunday September 1, 2024 from 2-7 PM on WKCR.Washington was born on August 29, 1924 and thus we celebrate her centennial this year. We’ll utilize the time on WKCR’s schedule on Sunday to pay a fitting tribute.
Dinah called herself "The Queen Of The Blues", and she was that, and then some, a larger than life character and a dynamic singer of great jazz, pop, rhythm and blues, and the American Popular Songbook.
WKCR is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary jazz guitarist Russell Malone, who passed away yesterday. Malone was not only a brilliant musician but also a warm, generous soul who played a vital role in the New York jazz community. Known for his heartfelt playing, lightning-fast technique, and deep connection to the blues, he was also a mentor to many young musicians. His presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him and hearing his music.
Tune in to WKCR tomorrow, Friday 16th, during Out to Lunch at 1pm, as the Alfredo Colon sextet joins host Satchel Peterson with a set of original music. With him, Alfredo brings a group of some of the most talented emerging artists present on the New York jazz scene today including: Ryan Easter on trumpet, Lex Korten on piano, Steve Williams on bass, and Connor Parks on drums. Stick around after the set for an interview with Alfredo about his latest music and upcoming performances.
WKCR is elated to announce two very special birthday broadcasts: Lester Young, known also as “Prez,” and Charlie “Bird” Parker. In keeping with tradition, we celebrate each of these legends with a 24-hour birthday broadcast: August 27 is all Prez and August 29 is all Bird. Since they were born just two days apart, we also preempt the day in the middle: on August 28, we play Prez until noon, then switch to Bird.
With Piece by Piece—a Lego movie about Pharrell Williams rise to stardom,—releasing on October 11, it’s only fitting that you join us in a 5 hour journey into the genius of one of the most prolific artists of our generation. With over 2800 credits as a producer, song writer, vocalist, and arranger, Pharrell’s musical legacy is vast. Tune in at 89.9 FM or stream it on wkcr.org as we chronicle the depths of this legend's discography from 2-7 pm EST on Sunday, August 11th.
This Thursday, August 1, at 12 noon (ET), WKCR welcomes the John David Simon Sextet! Hosted by Rachel Smith, they will perform live on the air.The sextet features John David Simon on tenor sax and flute, David Sneider on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rob Block on guitar and piano, Tom Kirchmer on bass, Mike Campenni on drum set, and Tara Nova on vocals.The set will be followed by a brief in-studio interview.Tune in at 89.9 FM or wkcr.org to catch this special live show!
WKCR is very excited to celebrate––for the second time this year––the birthday of cornet, trumpet, and vocal jazz legend Louis Armstrong. A much beloved figure, Armstrong is equally well known by his nicknames “Satchmo,” “Satch,” and “Pops.”
Tomorrow, Sunday, July 21st, WKCR will honor the life and work of Bernice Johnson Reagon. Beginning with our Amazing Grace program at 8am, the broadcast will run through The Moonshine Show and our memorial broadcast will feature the music of Reagon including work from her time with the Freedom Singers and Sweet Honey in the Rock.
Tune in to join us in honoring an artist, scholar, and activist who left a profound impact through her music and teachings.
8am - 12pm on WKCR 89.9 FM
This Saturday, July 13, celebrate the birthday of the great Albert Ayler with WKCR. From 3-6 PM, host Rachel Smith brings in bassist Steve Tintweiss and producer Jeff Lederer to shine a spotlight on Ayler’s late recordings, particularly the July 1970 concerts at the Fondation Maeght—released in full on the 4-CD or 5-LP set, Revelations. Change the way you remember Albert Ayler. Tune in at 89.9 FM or wkcr.org.
In honor of an upcoming concert on July 20, at the Town Hall in collaboration with the Indo American Arts Council in NYC, join WKCR host Manisha for an interview with DR. L. SUBRAMANIAM & KAVITA KRISHNAMURTI during tomorrow’s Raag Aur Taal from 7-9 pm EST.
Tune in this Sunday, July 7th, from 2-7 PM EST as host Maki Nientao explores the life and music of pianist Sonny Clark, featuring an interview with author Sam Stephenson. One of the great jazz pianists to emerge from the Pittsburgh area (including Mary Lou Williams, Earl Hines, Billy Strayhorn, Ahmad Jamal, and Erroll Garner), Clark was a skilled accompanist as well as a swinging and soulful soloist whose music was profound through its clarity and straightforwardness.
WKCR is elated to announce a 24-hour broadcast in honor of the great saxophonist Albert Ayler. With a distinct sound and style revered by John Coltrane, Ayler was an icon of avant-garde jazz.
Tune in this Sunday from 2-7 PM EST for a look into the vast discography of guitarist and composer Jeff Parker. A career spanning numerous decades and genres, Parker is well-known for his prolific work with a multitude of bands, including the alternative instrumental rock group Tortoise, the jazz-funk ensemble of Isotope 217, and the free jazz of the Chicago Underground, as well as many other appearances on albums featured as a sideman.
Tune in on Thursday, July 4 as we celebrate the chosen birthday of trumpeter, vocalist Louis Armstrong with 24 hours of his music beginning at midnight. In his autobiography, Swing That Music, Louis Armstrong titled the first chapter “Jazz and I Get Born Together.” Dating his birthday July 4, 1900 (as his mother had always told him), Armstrong created a mythology that linked his own birth to the birth of Jazz and the birth of America.
Sid Gribetz presents Harold Land for a five hour retrospective radio program this Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 2-7 PM on WKCR. Land was best known as the tenor saxophonist in the original Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. But his prolific and accomplished career lasted more than four decades thereafter, although never gaining the more widespread fame that he deserved. Land possessed a firm sound and ingenious creativity on his saxophone and also was an inventive composer.
Sun Ra visits WKCR! Is he eating ice cream? Yogurt? Who knows?
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