WKCR is thrilled to announce a special 24-hour broadcast on April 29th, 2026 celebrating the 127th anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington (1899-1974). Edward Kennedy Ellington was born in Washington D.C. to James and Daisy Ellington who were both pianists. They raised him with racial pride as to...

One of the greatest singers of the 20th century, a childhood of an abusive stepfather, becoming an orphan after her mother’s death when she was 15, and a state reformatory school did not keep Ella from fulfilling her destiny in jazz history. Her performing career began in November 1934 with...

  WKCR is pleased to announce our annual birthday celebration for celebrated bassist and pianist Charles Mingus for 24 hours straight from 12:00 am to midnight on April 22, 2026.   One of the most important figures in twentieth-century American music, Charles Mingus was a virtuoso bass player,...

WKCR is pleased to announce its 24-hour birthday broadcast honoring the life and legacy of El Rey of Timbales, Tito Puente, airing from midnight to midnight on Sunday, April 20th, 2026, in celebration of what would have been his 103rd birthday. This special programming will preempt all regularly scheduled...

WKCR is excited and honored to announce the 24-hour broadcast in celebration of the 98th birthday of one of the most iconic and influential voices in jazz history, Billie Holiday. Tune in on April 7 to WKCR 89.9 FM for a full day of music from the legendary “Lady Day,”...

WKCR is pleased to announce a special broadcast in honor of Béla Bartók’s 145th birthday, from 9:30 am to 9 pm EST on March 25, 2026. The special broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Wednesday programming and feature both his masterpieces and lesser-known works. Béla Bartók was born in...

WKCR is very pleased to announce our upcoming 24 hour birthday broadcast on March 27th for the one and only, the “Sassy,” the “Divine,” Sarah Vaughan. Vaughan had a range that went from baritone to soprano and with her inventive, lyrical style, she helped popularize the art of jazz singing...

We’ve extended our tribute to the life and legacy of Mr. Willie Colon. Now, listeners can also tune in on Sunday from 8am to 2pm est for an extended memorial broadcast.  Born in the South Bronx, here in New York City in 1950, Mr. Colon began playing the trumpet at...

WKCR is proud to celebrate the birthday of one of the most important and iconic musicians of the 20th century: Nina Simone. As part of our annual tradition, we will air 24 straight hours of Nina Simone on Saturday, February 21st, preempting all regularly scheduled programming for the day. Born...

Sid Gribetz presents Serge Chaloff on WKCR’s Sunday Profiles, February 15, 2026, from 2-7 PM. Chaloff was a fleeting star on the baritone saxophone during his brief lifetime, one of Woody Herman’s “Four Brothers” and a bebopping legend as well.   He was a sophisticated musician and...