people
want to expand their listening from their old
favorites. Having jazz on the radio is so important
to the jazz community because it is right in front
of you and people can just stumble into it. Many
listeners do just that, and one woman who did
just that said, “I used to pop in for five
minutes when the commercials were on the other
station, but the music started to really grow
on me and I would stay longer and longer, and
now KJZZ is my favorite station at night.”
 “Another
facet of KJZZ at night is that I interview artists
who are performing in the Valley, some local,
some national and all with something interesting
to say about their music, their instruments and
how jazz works. It gives people a greater depth
of understanding of how the music comes together,
and hopefully encourages listeners to get out
and hear jazz in person. That interaction between
who is performing in town right now and what you
hear on the radio generates a real awareness of
the jazz community and how we can all work together
to promote the wonderful variety of this music.
The more often you hear about who is playing where,
the more likely you will turn off the TV and drive
somewhere to hear music.
“This
is such a difficult time for local performers
to find an audience; because of the economy people
stay home, and some venues have cut music. I think
one of the best things we can do for jazz, besides
support public radio, is to go out to a place
that has live music, to support the efforts of
restaurant owners and club owners who hire musicians.
So if you go out to dinner, choose a place with
a pianist or guitarist over one that doesn't;
that will help keep the players making the music
you love. And on your way to dinner, have KJZZ
on your radio, and you just might hear the artist
you are going to hear.
“I
think we need many more years of good jazz on
the radio. Even though there are ipods and downloads
and cable, there is nothing like radio to surprise
you with something new or delight you with something
you may not have heard in a while, and to be in
touch with what is happening in our own jazz community
today and keep you informed about it. Public radio
is the main place to find jazz all over the country,
because the people know that this music is a true
American art form that only we can care for.
“KJZZ
has a pledge drive March 11-16. You can support
jazz by making a pledge during the jazz hours,
after 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Monday nights.”
Thanks, Blaise. See you on the radio!
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