On November 10th, the SF International Boogie Woogie Festival was held at SF Jazz, with artists from the USA, Germany, Spain. The sold out concert was a spectacular evening hosted by KCSM's Kathleen Lawton.

There’s no place like home. KCSM Station Manager Robert Franklin traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, home of Bobby Rush, the legendary and acclaimed 2024 Grammy Award Winner for Best Traditional Blues Album. We had a great time talking about his love of the South, his life, legacy and current plans for the coming year. Rush headlined the 47th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival held in Greenville, Mississippi in September.

San Francisco's GG Park featured, "A Love Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane" on September 21st Tem saxophonists (representing the entire family, from sopranino to bass) and a drummer performed a suite of Coltrane music arranged by the late Andrew White, a life-long Coltrane devotee. The event is a yearly labor of love brought together by Craig Bright's organization tranetraxx.org. Craig is an avid and passionate supporter of Jazz in all of its forms, and of KCSM as well. The saxophonists (left to right) included Lyle Link, Dave Salvator, Steve Nelson,Bob Kenmotsu, Charles McNeal, Jared Cruz, Jayn Pettingill, Dan Gonda, Doug Rowan, Michael Young. Drummer Deszon Claiborn kept it all inspired and Charles McNeal not only played but conducted. James Graves MC'd. Stay tuned for next year!

Kick off your holidays with a Thanksgiving morning special featuring an encore presentation of one of Alisa Clancy’s memorable food and drink shows. For over three decades Alisa hosted “A Morning Cup of Jazz” and distinguished her programs with whimsical playlists celebrating the holidays and special occasions.

Jazz Night in America pays tribute to the great "Sweet Papa Lou," Lou Donaldson. The legendary alto saxophonist passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 98. To honor his incredible legacy, we revisit our 2019 episode featuring an intimate interview between Lou and host Christian McBride, along with music from his quartet recorded in 2009.

Words and music with Carl Matthes, who in the early to mid-1960s worked with Jim Ball of Ball Records to record soloists, groups, and choirs, mainly from Los Angeles churches. Hear what LA gospel sounded like before the contemporary period.

In this episode we sit down with Kev Choice, a classically trained pianist, rapper, composer, and educator, who has reshaped the Bay Area music scene. Raised in Oakland with San Francisco roots, Kev blends hip-hop, jazz, soul, and classical music into a unique sound. His latest EP, All My Love, explores themes of love, vulnerability, and human connection, with soulful melodies and reflective lyrics capturing the complexities of relationships. Through music and mentorship, Kev uses his platform to inspire change and elevate consciousness.

Trudy Lynn is the featured guest this week. Rod Evans of living Blues wrote of Trudy Lynn, “with a voice that easily transitions from barroom growls to uptown sass and sophisticated soul, her special blend of blues, R&B and soul has won crowds from sweaty Houston juke joints to massive European festivals. Lynn talks about her music and her decades of joy performing blues music.

Tom Hodgkinson, editor of the Idler Magazine, shares his experience of running a magazine for over 30 years and the unexpected lessons he has learned. He emphasizes the importance of having a supportive network of talented friends and seeking advice from mentors who have successfully navigated similar ventures. Tom also discusses the challenges of marketing and the impact of digital platforms on the publishing industry. He highlights the value of building a community of readers and subscribers and the benefits of a subscriber-funded business model.