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...

WKCR celebrates the legacy of the great Phil Schaap on the anniversary of his very first broadcast on our airwaves, which took place on February 2, 1970. This 24-hour program will feature archival selections of Phil’s programs and interviews for WKCR. Phil Lives!

WKCR is pleased to bring you our 24-hour annual birthday broadcast for jazz great Roy Eldridge, “Little Jazz,” who would turn 115 today. We will preempt all regularly scheduled programming to bring you a full day of the music of this influential player of the swing era. Eldridge was born...

WKCR is pleased to present a joint birthday broadcast for composers Philip Glass and Franz Schubert on the 89th and 229th respective anniversaries of their births. The broadcast will run for 24 hours, preempting all regularly scheduled programs.  Franz Schubert was born in Vienna, Austria, on January...

WKCR is pleased to announce its annual 24-hour birthday broadcast honoring the life and legacy of legendary Brazilian giant, composer, pianist, guitarist, and bossa nova innovator, Antonio Carlos Jobim, airing from midnight to midnight on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in celebration of what would have been...

Sid Gribetz presents Johnny Griffin for five hours on the radio this Sunday January 18, 2026 on WKCR  Profiles from 2-7 PM. Johnny Griffin earned the nickname “The Little Giant” for his short physical height but big powerful sound on the tenor sax.  Coming out of the blues and swing...