Putting something meaningful (and joyful) on the calendar. This week KCSM met with Dr. Aaron Grizzell of the NorCal Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation to begin shaping The Sound of Freedom—a free, public event where jazz, blues, and gospel come together to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and explore America’s unfinished promise.It’s going to be music-first, with exceptional performances, just enough context to deepen the moment, and the kind of listening that brings people closer: to the artists, to one another, and to the values we share. And the timing couldn’t feel more right. We’re building toward 2026 as a uniquely resonant year: the 25th Jazz on the Hill arriving alongside the 250th birthday of the United States.One touchstone for the spirit of the program comes from Dr. King’s message for the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival, where he reflected on jazz as a music that can carry hardship and still rise with hope: “This is triumphant music.” We can’t wait to carry that energy into June’s Jazz on the Hill Festival. We’ll share more as The Sound of Freedom comes into focus.

This year, KCSM is proud to partner with NorCal MLK 2026 Music and the Movement. The MLK2026 Celebration Program will feature a celebration of music and the civil rights and social justice movements. We will celebrate the 60th anniversary of KCSM Radio, with a documentary screening and a historic conversation with KCSM media personalities, Clifford Brown, Jr., Jesse 'Chuy' Varela, Dr. Robert A. Franklin, Miranda Wilson, and award-winning music artist Tiffany Austin. For more information: https://norcalmlkfoundation.org/mlkcelebration/mlk2026/the-mlk2026-celebration-program-music-and-the-movement/

Hey Jazz Fans! Join Jesse “Chuy” Varela and his co-host, acclaimed jazz vocalist, Tiffany Austin for a special salute to the iconic jazz singer, Billie Holiday. We'll survey the life of Lady Day and hear her sing songs about the many manifestations of love from its joys to its heartbreaks.

Before they ever wrote a note together, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen were already at the top of their game. Cahn had made his name as one of the top lyricists of the swing era and was one of Frank Sinatra’s most trusted collaborators. Jimmy Van Heusen, was a master of the melody, writing singer-friendly tunes and scoring major hits with artists like Bing Crosby. In the mid-1950s, Sinatra brought them together- and that introduction changed everything. Join Joe Romagna as he highlights their songbooks with a romantic night of ballads, elegant melodies, and timeless classics.

Join Harry Duncan on Sunday, February 15 at 7pm for Mardi Gras Mambo, a special edition of In The Soul Kitchen celebrating the music of Mardi Gras in New Orleans featuring The Meters, Dr. John, The Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, Rebirth Brass Band and much more.

George Goldner, Part 1 - Rama Records. We begin a multi-part series on record man, George Goldner. He is said to have had the "golden ear" for hit records and songwriter Jerry Leiber even complimented his talent for picking hit songs by saying that Goldner had, "the musical taste of a fourteen-year-old-girl." Born to Jewish immigrants in 1919, Goldner's first love was Latino dance music and he began his career by opening night clubs and starting Tico Records, a Latino label in 1948. By 1953, he was interested in Rhythm & Blues and began releasing records under the Rama subsidiary. This week, we'll take a close look at Goldner's first R&B label, which helped put Rock n' Roll on the musical map with the 1953 smash, "Gee," by New York vocal group, The Crows. "Gee" crossed over to a very respectable #14 on the pop chart and just might be the first Rock n' Roll hit by a Rock n' Roll group. From there, Goldner signed The Wrens, The Valentines, The Joytones, The Heartbeats, The Harptones and other NY groups that are now considered vocal group royalty. His house band was led by the tenor great, Jimmy Wright, who put his sax stamp on all these classic records for Goldner's various labels. Next week in part 2, Matt The Cat will focus on Gee Records as we continue our look into the ground-breaking labels of George Goldner.

Norside Organ Trio Featuring Tommy Lehman. Mixing jazz, blues and funk with a healthy dose of the Hammond B3, the Pittsburgh based Norside produces a sound best described as Rust Belt Funk. Whether they’re playing alongside contemporaries such as The New Mastersounds and Bar Kays, or pushing boundaries with the Steeltown Horns, Norside embodies the commitment to giving the Hammond B3 room to breathe and pushing musical boundaries. For this performance, they’re joined by pre-eminent Northeast Ohio trumpeter Tommy Lehman. By this point in the program, Tommy needs no introduction but he travels extensively both as a member of Alla Boara and The Admirables and as the leader of multiple groups under his own name. Featuring Tommy Lehman on Trumpet, Skip Sanders on the Hammond B3, Steve Ippolito on Drums and Glenn Strother on Guitar, and from a March 13th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host forNorside featuring Tommy Lehman…Live at the Bop Stop.

This episode pays tribute in loving memory to Jeffrey Newberry Sr. (Gospel Keynotes), Elder Goldwire McLendon (pictured) (Savettes), and Katie Sankey.

Alisa Rasera and John Brennan are the co-chairs of the Social Justice Ministry at Alameda’s Christ Episcopal Church. Host Scott Piehler talks Alisa & John about CEC’s work as host of the Alameda Warming Shelter, their ongoing shower program, recently launched laundry program, and other services to assist the unhoused of Alameda.

Remembering the late Pulitzer Prize winner Roger Wilkins. Roger Wilkins was a Pulitzer Prize winner, sharing the 1973 Pulitzer for Public Service with his Washington Post colleagues (Woodward, Bernstein, and Herblock) for their coverage exposing the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation. Wilkins was a distinguished journalist, civil rights leader, and professor, known for his powerful editorials and work in government and academia, including serving as Assistant Attorney General and as the first Black member of the New York Times editorial board. Wilkins Legacy: Wilkins' career spanned law, journalism, and education, consistently advocating for equality and challenging the nation to live up to its ideals, leaving a significant mark on American public service and civil rights.