Join KCSM Jazz 91.1 and the Friends of Jazz on the Hill for An Evening with Tuck & Patti—a special live performance and conversation with the 2026 Jazz on the Hill ICON Award recipients. This intimate program features a selection of live performances by Tuck & Patti and an on-stage conversation reflecting on their artistry and influence, with an opening performance by the Jazz Education Ensemble (Oakland). (click story subject for ticket link)

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)

JAZZ in IRELAND: Part 2 of a new series of articles from Ireland and Europe for KCSM.org INTRO by Melanie O’Reilly, jazz singer, radio host & producer, jazz educator. Happy International Jazz Day from Ireland! On this day when jazz is celebrated around the world, we continue our new series of regular articles on Jazz in Ireland on the KCSM website. In this Part 2 of the series, guest writer musician & musicologist Mark O’Callahan continues with the story of Jazz as it unfolded in Ireland and how, despite the obstacles stated in Part 1, the brilliant and innovative Irish jazz artists started to emerge after 1945 into the 1950’s 60’s & 70’s; also included is an introduction to the extraordinary and influential Irish guitarist Louis Stewart.Part 3 of the series Jazz in Ireland will continue next month with a more in-depth exploration of Louis Stewart, his peers, and the generation of Irish jazz musicians he influenced. (click story subject to continue)

The musical depth of John Beasley as a pianist, composer, arranger, sideman, and educator, is profound. His work with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Sergio Mendes, Steely Dan, and countless others, has given him a unique and diverse musical experience that has led to a string of assignments as musical director for International Jazz Day, American Idol, and other stage and television productions. Tune in as John Beasley joins Jesse “Chuy” Varela to talk about his latest album, “Invisible Piano” with the SWR Big Band from Stuttgart Germany and his upcoming presentation, “Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100 All-Star Centennial Celebration,” on Thursday May 14 at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco.

Saxophonist Nicole Glover, known for her work with Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and the ensemble Artemis, reflects on the challenges and turning points that shaped her path in music and how she came into her own as both a singular voice on the tenor saxophone and a bandleader in her own right.

Part 1. Jimmy Smith: The 1960s Verve Small Group Recordings. We tell the story of the organ giant Jimmy Smith in the company of Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, and more.

Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb’s latest CD Sweet Dreams is a tribute to the music of The Eurythmics, an idea inspired by her being asked to be a part of a 2023 international Jazz Festival which had the theme of celebrating world-famous duos. Kristin was given a choice of focusing on the Carpenters or The Eurythmics and for multiple reasons, including that she felt it would be the more challenging of the two options, Kristin chose The Eurythmics. I met Kristin Korb on a jazz cruise in 2009 and became fast friends. I’ve been on stage with another woman only a handful of times during my long career, so our sets were especially welcome. Playing with Kristin is great fun not only because of her deep swing feel and time, but because of her dedication to her craft and her determination to move through life with positivity and joy, a focus I admire and try to practice myself.

Indianapolis based guitarist Charlie Ballantine returns to our stage and to our program – this time in front of a live audience. Charlie released two albums in 2021; Cold Coffee is a collection of his own works and Life is Brief – a Tribute to Bob Dylan, which landed on Jazziz Magazine’s Top Ten Best Releases list. His most recent release is 2024’s East by Midwest and he performs selections from it on this episode. Featuring Charlie Ballentine on Guitar, Quinn Sternberg on Bass and Paul Wells on Drums, and from April 10th, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for the Charlie Ballantine Trio…Live at the Bop Stop.

Music on this episode comes from James Cleveland (pictured) & Gospel Chimes, Sis. Wynona Carr, Jessy Dixon & Chicago Community Choir, Holy City Travelers, Cosmopolitan Community Church Choir, a special selection from the Kronos Quartet, and others.

Abby Thorne-Lyman is the Director of Base Reuse and Economic Development for the City of Alameda. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the closure of Alameda Naval Air Station, host Scott Piehler talks with Abby about the challenges and opportunities of managing what many have called “The most desirable real estate left in the Bay Area.”

A Portrait of Bobby Rush. Rush reflects upon his 2024 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album and his recognition by the Mississippi Legislature Concurrent Resolution saluting and extending congratulations to the 90-year-old Mississippi Blues Legend for winning the prestigious Grammy Award.