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Chicago designated Host City of International Jazz Day 2026UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock are pleased to announce the designation of Chicago (USA) as host city for the 2026 International Jazz Day World Concert. This edition will mark the 15th anniversary of the event and coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. (more)

We asked our listeners to support the next generation at our "Passing the Torch," celebration for Jazz Appreciation Month and you showed up! It was an afternoon of amazing young jazz musicians from St. Ignatius Preparatory School, SF Conservatory of Music (RJAM), CSM Big Band and an appearance by none other than celebrated pianist Larry Vuckovich who all delighted a full house - and the many viewers who tuned in on Facebook. Thank you all for showing your support! If you missed the event, you can watch it on Facebook. (click the story subject for the Facebook Link)

Part 1. Erroll Garner: The Complete Concert By The Sea. With the jazz piano giant in one of the most famous jazz concerts ever.

Jesse “Chuy” Varela welcomes acclaimed multi--instrumentalist, Steve Wilson. One of the preeminent reed players of his generation, Steve Wilson has graced the bands of Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, and the big band of Gerald Wilson, to name a few. Currently at the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA., Wilson talks about his new album, “Enduring Sonance,” his first in 10 years as a leader, and his fascinating career.

We revisit my 2000 conversation (one of my first for Jazz Inspired) with author, film critic and film historian Leonard Maltin. We discuss Leonard’s favorite jazz, growing up in a musical family, his own piano playing and his four-hand duet with me on Entertainment Tonight early in my career. Yup, Leonard did a five-minute feature on me for ET. In TV terms that’s VERY long. These days even Taylor wouldn’t get five minutes on ET, so this was a career changing moment for me that I owe to Leonard.

Nathan Paul: Life’s Notes. Nathan-Paul grew up a pastor’s son in Cleveland, and knows how to deliver sound medicine to the people. His velvety lo-fi sounds are a vibe-heavy soul party, fusing modern trap, 70s funk, and fiery southern gospel. And Fusion is an apt word for this performance, which he terms Life’s Notes. This show is steeped in improvisation, borders on free jazz but really is best described as an hour of experimental Fusion. Featuring Garret Folger on Trumpet, Zaire Darden on Drums, Kip Reed on Bass, Chris Anderson on Trombone, Howard Alexander on Piano and Nathan Paul on Saxophones and from a September 27th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host for Nathan Paul: Life’s Notes…Live at the Bop Stop.

This episode includes sets in loving memory of Nate Luckett (pictured) (Luckett Brothers of Milwaukee) and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. plus Caravans, Stars of Virginia, Bishop G.E. Patterson, and others.

Melanie Dixon is the President of the College of Alameda. Host Scott Piehler talks with Melanie about the role of CoA in the community, the benefits of being part of the Peralta Community College District, and the life-changing opportunities offered by CoA programs like Automotive and Aviation Maintenance Technology.

This week’s program features an encore interview with the acclaimed jazz singer, Dianne Reeves. Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan. Reeves father sang, her mother played trumpet, her uncle is bassist Charles Burrell and her cousin is George Duke. Her father died when she was two years old, and she was raised in Colorado by her mother, Vada Swanson, and maternal family. In 1971, she started singing and playing piano. She was noticed by trumpeter Clark Terry, who invited her to sing with him. "He had these amazing all-star bands, but I had no idea who they all were! Said Reeves, “The thing I loved about it was the way they interacted with each other – the kind of intimate exchange that I wasn't part of.”

Amelia Knott discusses the multifaceted nature of art therapy, its significance in mental health, and her personal journey into the field. She shares insights on adapting art therapy practices to the digital realm, discussing her recent book, The Art of Thriving Online. Amelia emphasizes the role of creativity in personal and collective healing, the value of both online and in-person communities, and how we can navigate our world more mindfully.