WKCR is very excited to present the second installment of our annual birthday broadcast for cornet, trumpet, and vocal jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Satchmo is the only figure at WKCR with the distinct honor of two birthday broadcasts every year: one on July 4 (which he cited as his birthday in his autobiography Swing That Music) and one on August 4 (which records suggest was his true birthday).
New York, NY — July 7, 2025 — WKCR 89.9 FM is excited to announce a 10 hour broadcast on Saturday, July 13, in celebration of the life and music of avant-garde saxophonist Albert Ayler (1936–1970). Known for his radical reimagining of jazz, Ayler forged a deeply spiritual and emotionally raw sound that redefined the genre and remains unmatched to this day.
WKCR is pleased to announce a special broadcast in honor of Gustav Mahler’s 165th birthday, for 24 hours on July 7, 2025. The special broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Monday programming and feature both his masterpieces and lesser-known works.
NEW YORK, NY — July 4, 2025 — WKCR-FM is proud to continue its long-standing tradition of honoring the life and legacy of the legendary Louis Armstrong with a 24-hour broadcast exclusively featuring his music, beginning at midnight on Friday, July 4th, 2025. All regular programming will be preempted for this annual tribute to one of the greatest icons in American music.
Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross brought the art of ensemble group vocals to a higher level. Bebop singers Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross each individually were pioneers of vocalese, the style of writing lyrics to recorded instrumental solos to create new songs. The synergy of the group was even more remarkably creative.
WKCR is excited to announce our upcoming Anthony Braxton Birthday Broadcast, in honor of the musical pioneer’s 80th birthday. The broadcast will run for 8.5 hours from 9:30 AM-6 PM in place of regularly scheduled programming.
WKCR pays tribute to the life and work of Al Foster, who passed away on May 28, 2025 at the age of 82. Aloysius Tyrone Foster was born on January 18, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia, where he began playing the drums at age 13. He began his career when he was only 20 years old, making his recording debut with Blue Mitchell. He is best known for his work with Miles Davis, who first heard Foster play in 1972.
Sid Gribetz presents a five hour tribute to pianist Harold Mabern this Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 2-7 PM on WKCR.
Mabern was born March 20, 1936 in Memphis and raised in that Southern town, surrounded by many great young jazz players in his school. Mabern’s own mentor and friend, only a couple of years older, was Phineas Newborn. His schoolmates and lifelong associates included Frank Strozier, George Coleman, and Booker Little.
WKCR is excited to announce a special 24-hour broadcast for May 22nd celebrating the 11th anniversary of the arrival of Sun Ra (1914-1993). The special broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Thursday shows.
Tune in this Thursday, May 8 between 5am-3pm for WKCR’s Keith Jarret birthday broadcast and collaboration between our jazz and classical departments!
Sun Ra visits WKCR! Is he eating ice cream? Yogurt? Who knows?
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