Melanie Berzon, Director of Operations/On Air Announcer At the Mic

Article by:
Melanie Berzon, Director of Operations and On Air Announcer

Ever wonder what goes into putting together a KCSM Radio Pledge Drive? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Although we here at KCSM only come to you for support three times a year (January, May and September) we are actually working on our Pledge Drives every month of the year.

Let’s take our upcoming Fall Pledge Drive as an example. Our Spring Drive ended in May. Two weeks later we met to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. We also had to start thinking about our September Drive. The things we consider are: What artists would you be interested in learning more about? Are there any milestone Birthdays or Anniversaries coming up? Which musicians are hot at the moment? Our crack team of announcers go to work researching and taking the pulse of the Jazz and Music community.

For instance, this is the year of the centenary of the great Thelonious Monk’s birth.

But wait! Are there any new or reissue CD’s that would be of interest to you? Any special programs or educational documentaries that we can access? Would you like to add a Bebop Royalty custom made T-Shirt to your wardrobe? What other logo items would you appreciate? These (and others) are the types of questions we ask ourselves over and over again. All this takes time, energy and deep thought.

Our mission is two-fold:

1. Entertaining you and keeping Jazz alive on the airwaves
2. Raising the money we need to keep the station viable and successful

It’s not easy balancing the two. But it’s a task we take on with great joy and passion. As well as enormous responsibility and commitment.

Because you, the music, and the musicians are worth it! We hope you think so too and will continue to support us.

KCSM Volunteer Diane D.

Article by:
Diane D., KCSM Volunteer

Looking back, it was the very first pledge call I took that did it – the listener was so nice, and went for a “Phat Pack!”

I was hooked on volunteering at KCSM.

The Pledge Room was a fascinating place to start.

The cast of characters answering phones range from teens to retirees, from musicians to teachers to ministers.  Without exception, they are generous in time and spirit.  For many of them, this is not their only volunteer gig;  away from the station they care for and tutor kids, assist seniors, coordinate community music groups, serve as docents, restore native landscapes, and much more.

The station staff, from producers to on-air hosts to the back office staff work hard to put on the show, but never so hard that they don’t show their appreciation for the phone volunteers.

For the geeks among us, another volunteer opportunity at the station is digitizing the vast KCSM vinyl library.  A lot of great jazz from the past has not been released digitally, so this is our chance to preserve it.  That is rewarding on its own, but an added perk is that you have a chance to listen to great music you may never have heard before.  And there’s job security!  In addition to the KJAZ library we inherited, Chuy is always finding a treasure trove of LPs in someone’s garage or storage unit and putting them into the mix.

If you’re not into phones or computers, but still want to volunteer, never fear!  There are opportunities galore being the face of the station at jazz events, shipping thank you gifts, folding/stuffing envelopes for mailings, helping out in the care and maintenance of volunteer staff, and more.

To find out more about how to volunteer, email fmvolunteers@kcsm.net

Article by:
Rene Renard, KCSM Engineer

Ever find yourself in a situation where you can’t listen to KCSM-FM on the radio? Maybe the FM reception isn’t so great where you work and your boss won’t allow you to install an outside antenna. Or you’re traveling to another city that’s way beyond Jazz 91’s reach. There is an easy solution; KCSM-FM offers free Internet streaming of our live radio broadcast at our website or via our free mobile app designed for your iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet.

Using your desktop or laptop computer connected to the Internet, navigate on over to www.kcsm.org. On the upper left side of the page you’ll find a large green “Listen Live” button. Mouse click on that button and you’ll be directed to our streaming page. The web stream will automatically launch and play the same great sounding music you hear broadcast over-the-air on Jazz 91. You’ll find links to our playlist and to our show archives hosted by Radio Free America. Our stream URLs can also be found on the same page if you prefer to stream KCSM via iTunes or other media players.

If you’d like to listen using a mobile device, download the free KCSM iOS streaming app for iPhone or iPad from the Apple App Store. You will find the Android version for phones and tablets in the Google Play Store. These apps feature playlist access as well as an alarm clock and a sleep timer so you can begin and end your day listening to KCSM! Allow “push notifications” during installation for a chance at special news, information and giveaways from KCSM.

KCSM mobile apps use the advanced codec recommended by NPR Labs (HE-AACv2) and sound great. The apps will work using Wi-Fi or most cellular data services. Be aware when using your cellular data plan, streaming with the KCSM app uses roughly 1GB (gigabyte) of data for every 35 hours of listening.

For more information regarding streaming KCSM or for any other KCSM-related technical advice, please send an email addressed to techissues@kcsm.net. Happy listening!

Ella, born in 1917 in Virginia and we are celebrating her  100th birthday at KCSM. Ella got her start at the famous talent shows at the Apollo theatre in Harlem. She went on to work for Chick Webb’s big band and went on to stardom.

From here web site:

Dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat King Cole, to Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman. (Or rather, some might say all the jazz greats had the pleasure of working with Ella). She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common – they all loved her

Join KCSM on Sat 20 May from 10am-2pm when Mel and Sonny will celebrate Ella’s 100th birthday!

It has been 50 years since the Summer of Love in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco. KCSM is celebrating with one of the iconic singers of the psychedelic era, Janis Joplin. Her unmistakeable voice and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, provided many of the hits during the Summer of Love.

From her website biography:

She claimed the blues, soul, gospel, country and rock with unquestionable authority and verve, fearlessly inhabiting psychedelic guitar jams, back-porch roots and everything in between. Her volcanic performances left audiences stunned and speechless, while her sexual magnetism, world-wise demeanor and flamboyant style shattered every stereotype about female artists – and essentially invented the “rock mama” paradigm.

Celebrate the legacy of John Coltrane with KCSM. Born Sept. 23^rd 1926, KCSM is showcasing his superb virtuosity and spirituality. Coltrane’s jazz career started after he left the Navy. His first band was with Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. He was part of the NY music scene and joined the Miles Davis Quintet in 1958. Their he would develop his “sheets of sound” technique and establish himself as a premier tenor player. He went on to release his albums “My Favorite Things”, “Giant Steps” and “A Love Supreme”.

Starting on Friday 5/12 2pm-6pm with Chuy and Mel KCSM will be celebrating the music of John Coltrane. Things continue on Sat 5/12 from 10am-6pm with Sonny, Mel and Dick and finish on Sun 5/12 with Sonny and Mel from 10am – 2pm.

Kind of Blue has been the top selling jazz album for many years. In Oct 2008 it was certified as quadruple platinum in sales. What makes it so popular? For a lot of people Kind of Blue was their into to jazz. The opening track So What has a kind of sassy attitude. All Blues swings gently and is very approachable. This is what caught people’s attention. These songs also showcased the “jazz style” of solos and improvisation and interplay between the musicians.

On Fri May 5th from 2pm-6pm Chuy and Mel will be showcasing this classic album.

Sonny, Mel and Dick will be on Sat 6 May from 10-6 and Keith and Mel will be on Sun 10am-2pm.

Listen in.

Happy International Jazz Day! This is the season to celebrate Jazz around the world. Last week was the Ella Fitzgerald Centennial Birthday and this last weekend was Duke Ellington’s birthday as well as International Jazz day. KCSM is continuing the celebration over the next 3 weekends with special programming. We will be featuring:

Mile Davis – master trumpeter of the 1940s-90s, Miles and his groups were always at the forefront of what was new
Friday, 5/5, 2-6PM with Chuy & Mel
Saturday, 5/6, 10AM-6PM, with Sonny, Mel & Dick
Sunday, 5/7, 10AM-2PM, with Keith & Mel

John Coltrane – the musician who has defined the tenor saxophone in jazz
Friday, 5/12, 2-6PM with Chuy & Mel
Saturday, 5/13, 10AM-6PM, with Sonny, Mel & Dick
Sunday, 5/14, 10AM-2PM, with Keith & Mel

Ella Fitzgerald’s Centennial Birthday – “The first lady of song” Ella Fitzgerald was the top jazz vocalist for more than a half century. Learn more about Ella and help us celebrate her 100th birthday.
Saturday, 5/20, 10AM-2PM, with Sonny & Mel

Janis Joplin – Janis, a unique blues, soul, gospel, country and rock singer of the 60s. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love with Janis and KCSM.
Friday, 5/19, 2-6PM with Chuy & Mel
Sunday, 5/21, 10AM-2PM, with Keith & Mel

So tune in to KCSM on the air or on the web at KCSM Jazz 91

Mike Claire, President
College of San Mateo
San Mateo County Community College District

Dear KCSM Listener,

My name is Mike Claire and I am the President of College of San Mateo. I am also an avid jazz fan and a fellow KCSM-FM supporter. In addition, I was a professional musician at one time, and I have played in many jazz combos over the years.

I share these details with you because I share your passion for jazz. I understand fully what makes KCSM-FM unique, and I appreciate the trust and the support that you have placed with KCSM-FM. That is why I am writing to you directly.

There have been some recent news articles about proposed changes at KCSM-FM. I want to assure you that there are no plans to sell KCSM-FM, change the genre, or remove the remaining on-air personalities.

You may have read that most of KCSM-FM’s DJs will no longer be on-air after July 1, 2017. This is not true. It is true that 3 of the part-time DJs are no longer with KCSM. However, there are no plans to “lay-off” the remaining DJs. There was a miscommunication, which has now been corrected. I know that this has created unnecessary confusion and anxiety for all. On behalf of the management team at KCSM-FM and the College of San Mateo, I apologize.

It has also been reported that KCSM-FM is in financial trouble yet has a sizeable reserve. KCSM-FM operated at a deficit in 2016 and used some of its reserve to cover excess expenses. While the station has a reserve, the reserve is meant to cover major emergencies, not operating deficits. The station’s reserve will be exhausted rather quickly if KCSM-FM does not bring its operating expenses in line with revenues over the next few years.

The good news is that KCSM-FM’s financial situation is not dire. I am confident that the station will be able to bring expenses in balance with projected revenues—with minimal impact to the on-air programming that we all enjoy.

At the same time, I do not want to make false promises. Over the last four years, weekly hours provided by part-time DJs have increased by 28%. Thus, part of the solution to the deficit has been to make some adjustments to programming. This is a tough balancing act, and I know that some of the changes have upset listeners.

I will be working directly with KCSM-FM to look for budget reductions in areas that do not impact on-air programming. While I cannot promise that we will be able to restore all of the live hours, we will do our best. Regardless, I do not anticipate any additional reductions to live programming.

Many of you have shared your concerns and your support of KCSM-FM and its importance to the jazz community. I appreciate that KCSM-FM has such dedicated listeners. I am looking forward to working closely with the KCSM-FM team so that with your continued financial support, we can deliver the programming that you enjoy.

Mike Claire, President
College of San Mateo