SAN FRANCISCO, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Pacific Vista Productions) - Riverwalk Jazz, public radio's long-running, weekly jazz series, will now be heard Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. on Newark's Jazz 88, WBGO 88.3FM, beginning October 9.
Riverwalk Jazz, a favorite with jazz lovers for almost two decades, tells the story of jazz from its early beginnings. Each week, listeners on more than 150 public radio stations, XM Satellite and across the Web tune in to hear The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, described by The New York Times as 'a band with polish and style.' Joining the band are Grammy Award-winning host David Holt and guest musicians, including piano legend Dick Hyman, international jazz festival favorite Topsy Chapman and New Orleans trumpet ace Duke Heitger. Broadway's Vernel Bagneris lends his singing and comedic talents and portrays jazz greats like Jelly Roll Morton. Past luminaries who have graced the broadcasts include Sweets Edison, Doc Cheatham and Benny Carter.
In addition to live music performances, Riverwalk Jazz features historic interviews with the likes of Lil Hardin Armstrong and John Hammond. Nat Hentoff, in JazzTimes magazine, writes, 'What makes this radio series so distinctive is not only the quality of the music but also the documentary programs that become valuable additions to jazz history.'
The series is produced by Margaret Pick, PVPMedia, Inc. and cornetist Jim Cullum, owner of The Landing Jazz Club in San Antonio. As a teenager, he locked onto the sounds of Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke. Today, Cullum's acoustic, seven-piece, traditional ensemble specializes in acoustic jazz from 'between the wars' � pre-WWII, small, hot ensembles. Though early jazz is at the basis of their sound, the band transcends the genre, bringing its original compositions, high energy and virtuosity to the form.
WBGO is the winner of the Blues Foundation's Keeping the Blues Alive Award, and has twice won the Gavin Report's Jazz Station of the Year Award. With a mission that includes 'a belief in the vibrancy and continuance of jazz as a cultural art form,' it is a perfect fit with Riverwalk Jazz.
WBGO Program Director Thurston Briscoe points out, 'Our listeners have expressed an interest in hearing more pre-WWII jazz, and that's what Riverwalk Jazz delivers. The show offers exciting, live acoustic jazz by The Jim Cullum Jazz Band and top audio production. We're delighted to welcome Riverwalk to WBGO.'
'Everyone on the Riverwalk Jazz team is delighted that the show will be included in the WBGO lineup and will bring the classic sound of The Jim Cullum Jazz Band and an almost lost chapter of jazz history to their listeners,' says Margaret Pick, Executive Producer of Riverwalk Jazz. She adds, 'WBGO leads the industry in jazz programming, and it's an honor to be part of it.'
The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is heard live at The Landing in San Antonio and weekly on public radio's Riverwalk Jazz in more than 200 cities. The program is distributed by PRI and sponsored by Mission Pharmacal, makers of Citracal Calcium.
WHAT: Riverwalk Jazz, public radio's long-running program dedicated to presenting, preserving, and promoting Classic Jazz
WHERE: Newark, New Jersey Jazz 88, WBGO - 88.3FM
WHEN: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., beginning October 9, 2007
For MORE INFORMATION: go to https://www.riverwalkjazz.org or contact Jennifer Jensen at 707-778-0339 or [email protected]
