What a special event it was right here at KCSM! Omar Sosa, Cuban composer, pianist and one of the most versatile jazz artists on the scene today visted KCSM for a LIVE performance on Thursday, 2/12/2026. Omar fuses a wide range of jazz, world music, and electronic elements with his native Afro-Cuban roots to create a fresh and original urban sound – all with a Latin jazz heart. Omar Sosa’s musical trajectory has taken him from Camagüey and Havana to touring in Angola, the Congo, Ethiopia, and Nicaragua in the 1980s; to a sojourn in the African-descent communities of Ecuador in the early 1990s; to an extended presence on the San Francisco Bay Area Latin jazz scene; to his current engagement with artists from France, Cuba, Brazil, and several North, West, and East African nations.

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.

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.

Very Very Threadgill. Henry Threadgill, NEA Jazz Master and one of the world's leading avant-garde composers and arrangers, turns 82 on February 15. To celebrate, we present a 2014 Harlem Stage concert honoring his 70th birthday, curated by pianist Jason Moran. Dozens of musicians who have played alongside Threadgill throughout his storied career gathered to perform his groundbreaking compositions while the maestro himself watched from the audience.

Tres Pontas: Milton Nascimento With Wayne Shorter, Part 2. Presenting the iconic Brazilian composer-vocalist in collaborations with jazz giants Shorter and Hancock.

Connection Through A Lens. Fimmaker Nic Askew shares his approach to capturing human essence through film, discovered spontaneously with a camera in a hotel room. He emphasizes stillness and presence in allowing authentic expression and connection, discussing the profound impact of giving undivided attention and being fully present without judgment.

Jackie Warren is a legend behind the piano, from her work in the 3D Jazz Trio, to her work with Tito Puente and her place as one of the anchors of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. She leads this performance, where she’s joined by Saxophonist Steve Kortyka. Beyond the four releases as a band leader, Steve is a core member of the Brian Newman Quintet and his work anchors releases by Tony Bennett and live performances with Lady Gaga. But wait, as they say, there’s more. Jim Rupp joins this group on percussion and beyond some legendary performances with Woody Herman, Ray Charles and Natalie Cole and his extensive work as a drum educator Jim has forgotten more about drum performance than many of us will ever know. George Delancy rounds out this quartet on bass. George was a core member of the Larry Fuller Trio and has performed with Ben Patterson, Wynton Marsalis and Houston Person, among others. Enjoy this talented quartet as they perform a mix of standards and originals. From February 8th, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for the Jackie Warren Quartet…Live at the Bop Stop.

Music from Sis. Rosetta Tharpe, The Harmonizing Four (pictured), Thomas Whitfield Company, Treadwell Community Singers, Patterson Singers, two "send me my flowers" living legend sets for Rev. Ernest Franklin, and others."

Coming Soon.