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.

Thank you to the incredible audience that made the 20th Jazz on the Hill such a joyful celebration — the guests who filled the hill, the listeners who tuned in, the families who brought the next generation, and every person who helped make the 2026 festival feel unforgettable. Every cheer, every quiet listen, and every moment shared on the hill became part of something that reached far beyond the stage — from master artists to young musicians, from College of San Mateo to listeners around the world.If you missed the festival, or want to experience it again, listen to Jazz on the Hill on Spotify and join KCSM in bringing jazz to the world. Photos coming soon.

Thank you to everyone who made the first Friends of Jazz on the Hill gathering so full of purpose, celebration, and possibility. The evening honored Tuck & Patti with the ICON Award for their extraordinary artistry and brought our community together to support the next generation of jazz musicians. Because of the generosity in the room, the 2027 Youth Stage will have the support to grow — and, for the first time ever, KCSM can capture and share Youth Stage performances beyond the festival day. Even more young musicians will have the chance to be heard. Thank you for helping open the stage wider, carry the music farther, and make Jazz on the Hill possible for the next generation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Musings on Miles: An Evening with Sonny Buxton, a celebration of Sonny’s voice, legacy, and extraordinary place in Bay Area jazz. Through music, conversation, mentorship, and shared memory, the evening honored Sonny’s lifelong commitment to bringing jazz stories to the people. It also helped launch the Sonny Buxton Jazz Legacy Fund, supporting paid internships, mentorship, broadcast training, and opportunities for the next generation of jazz storytellers. We are deeply grateful to our guests, artists, donors, and listeners for helping carry Sonny’s legacy forward.

Part 3. Miles Davis @ 100, Ballads & Blues: Ballads. In celebration of his Centennial we present Miles in the company of Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, and George Benson.

Guitarist/vocalist, John Pizzarelli has enjoyed a long career delighting audiences with his swinging music and charming stage presence. As the son of famed guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John was exposed not only to Bucky’s talents growing up, but to the jazz greats in Bucky’s orbit. John and I have known each other since the early days of our careers, so today’s conversation was a fun reunion and a chance to talk about John’s new CD, Dear Mr. Bennett, which celebrates his friendship with Tony Bennett and the many ways Tony’s music continues to inspire him.

Max Schlenk Quartet. Northeast Ohio has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to jazz musicians, no doubt because of the plethora of jazz and classical educational programs. Many students come for a time and move on to other pastures but some, like Max Schlenk, kick the tires on larger markets but choose to make their way back, and we’re better for it when they do. The last time saxophonist Max Schlenk was featured on this program he was a student at Oberlin leading an Octet. Six years and one sojourn to New York later Max is back and he makes his home here in Northeast Ohio now as a bandleader and educator. This quartet performance features some of Max’s favorites along with a number of original compositions. Featuring Garret Folger on Trumpet, Tim Picard on Guitar, Jordan McBride on Bass, Jeremy McCabe on Drums and Max on Saxophones, and from an April 11th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host for the Max Schlenk Quintet…Live at the Bop Stop.

Imperial Records, Part 9 - 1956, Part 2. This week, we continue our Imperial series with part nine, focusing on Imperial's R&B releases from the second half of 1956. Fats Domino has the biggest hit of his entire career with "Blueberry Hill," a tune that Dave Bartholomew did not think he should record. It sold millions and millions and topped the R&B charts and landing at a whopping #2 on the pop chart. Matt The Cat presents the story behind that monumental release as well as spinning some great and seldom heard vocal group records from The Barons, The Victorials, The Dukes and The Honey Bees, a female group. We'll also dig on some solid R&B releases from Johnny Fuller, Ernie Freeman and Gloria Jean Pitts as we keep those records spinning on part nine of the Imperial Records Story.

Max Schlenk Quartet. Northeast Ohio has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to jazz musicians, no doubt because of the plethora of jazz and classical educational programs. Many students come for a time and move on to other pastures but some, like Max Schlenk, kick the tires on larger markets but choose to make their way back, and we’re better for it when they do. The last time saxophonist Max Schlenk was featured on this program he was a student at Oberlin leading an Octet. Six years and one sojourn to New York later Max is back and he makes his home here in Northeast Ohio now as a bandleader and educator. This quartet performance features some of Max’s favorites along with a number of original compositions. Featuring Garret Folger on Trumpet, Tim Picard on Guitar, Jordan McBride on Bass, Jeremy McCabe on Drums and Max on Saxophones, and from an April 11th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host for the Max Schlenk Quintet…Live at the Bop Stop.

William Luck guest hosts this week, with music from the Flying Stars of Brooklyn, Skylarks, Trumpets of Faith, Exciting Legion Aires, Gospel Melodyaires, and others."

Nick Luby has been the Chief of the Alameda Fire Department since October of 2021. A 28-year Fire Service veteran, Chief Luby oversees a department that responds to 10,000 calls a year, including responses by the CARE (Community Assessment Response & Engagement) Team, and innovative, alternative response to nonviolent individuals facing mental health crises. 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of AFD.

Dr. Neal King is featured this week. From a childhood destroyed by unspeakable trauma to his life as a psychologist and college president, Dr. Neal King opens up about his search for answers, the dark secrets he uncovered and the strategies that helped him survive in his powerful new book, Trauma is a Thief.