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KCSM Jazz 91 presents Jazz On The Hill 2026 - A free community event. As a thank you, to our listening community we invite you to join us for a fun-filled day of Jazz! Your support throughout the year means the world to all of us at KCSM. Our line-up includes jazz, blues and Latin music presented on two stages! Food, beverages, and a variety of vendor booths will also be available. Come early to claim your spot! Located in front of the Library, building 9. Visit Jazz On The Hill 2026 for more information and directions (FREE Parking!)

Congratulations and good luck to KCSM’s very own Chris Cortez, who was nominated for the 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in the category Bay Area Audiocaster of the Year! VOTING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Jayn Pettingill will be making a presentation on Duke Ellington and radio at The JazzSchool - a free and open to the public event. Her presentation will focus on how technology (radio) bloomed at just the right time for Ellington and for Jazz. (click story subject for more)

In our continual invitation to students of the Berkeley High School Jazz Band as part of the BHS Honors Project, initiated by band director Sarah Cline, we welcome Roshan Nazar, a young trumpet player, who will join Jesse “Chuy” Varela on to present a feature on trumpeter, Roy Harhgrove, and his Neo-Soul leanings. The premise of the project is to allow these young jazz musicians to explore other facets of the jazz world other than playing their instruments. One of the options is to produce a radio program about their instrument or a particular aspect of jazz.

Jazz Fest in America. Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes sunshine, fresh air, and music festival season. This week, Jazz Night in America becomes Jazz Fest in America, with sets from Gabrielle Cavassa at Exit Zero, Cory Wong at the Newport Jazz Festival, and Gregory Porter in Saint Lucia.

Founded in Chicago and Led by Bassist Kevin Robert Martinez, Reclamation Band is modern jazz with an open rural backdrop. Its unique combination of composed and improvised elements evokes an array of moods and styles such as Americana, Avante-Garde and Blues. A number of things make this group’s sound unique. The first is the equal division between a guitar and two saxophone leads versus a rhythm section that includes Bass and Bass Clarinet along with drums. I’m a sucker for the Bass Clarinet sound and Kevin really understands how to leverage that sound in a way few other composers do. The second is that the group functions more as a versatile collective than as a fixed unit. Some configurations exchange a saxophone for a trumpet while others exclude guitar. (click story subject for more)

This episode includes "in loving memory" sets for Roscoe Robinson and Jessie Jeffcoat (Five Singing Sons), plus selections by J. Robert Bradley, Ora Lee Hopkins (pictured) & New Nazareth BC Choirs and others.

Heidi M. Bennett is a Social Media Specialist, currently working with the folks at Alameda’s beloved Julie’s Tea Garden, as well as the West Alameda Business Association. She’s also a podcaster, event planner, and a Compassionate Community Connector, a skill set that is more than welcome in 2026.

Part 2. Sonny Buxton is a legendary Bay Area jazz performer, night club owner, retired KCSM radio host, and former pro football player for the Oakland Raiders. Sonny shares career highlights in part two of the program.