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.
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.
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.
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 swinging performer. Serge possessed a lithe, fleet, flowing conception propelled with a lighter tone and nimble execution on the big horn.
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.
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.
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 his 99th birthday. This special programming will preempt all regularly scheduled Sunday programming.
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 of his Chicago roots but also informed by the sophisticated developments of the bebop era, Griffin’s proficiency on his instrument and the fleet and darting lines of his attack make him one of our greats.
Tune in tomorrow, January 7, at 7 AM to hear an interview with jazz titan and multi-instrumentalist David Murray in advance of his performance at NYC Winter JazzFest. Host Rachel Smith talks with David Murray about the iconic quartets he has led and been a part of throughout his career, his creative and compositional process, and his latest two albums.
As always, you can listen at 89.9 FM on your radio dial or stream the interview online at wkcr.org
Sun Ra visits WKCR! Is he eating ice cream? Yogurt? Who knows?
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