This month, KCSM Jazz 91 proudly celebrates Women’s History Month with a full lineup of special programming honoring the extraordinary women who have shaped jazz. All month long, listeners can enjoy curated shows spotlighting the groundbreaking artists, composers, bandleaders, and broadcasters past and present whose voices and vision have defined the sound of the genre. From trailblazing legends to today’s innovators, KCSM Jazz 91 highlights the significant contributions of women both behind the mic and on the bandstand—celebrating their enduring impact on the past, present, and future of jazz.

It was a special Valentine's Day here at KCSM with Tiffany Austin turning the day into a celebration of everything you love about Jazz. Listeners turned their donations into "Jazz Love Notes" - dedicating their gift in honor of someone special and shared short notes about what jazz or their favorite artists meant to them. It was a fun, funny and inspiring day!

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.

Part 2 of Duke Ellington: Reminiscing In Tempo: Suites & Other Extended Works. This week we present classic 1950s and 60s extended compositions from the pen of America's greatest composer. Including "A Tone Parallel To Harlem", plus excerpts from Such Sweet Thunder, The Queen's Suite, Suite Thursday, Afro-Bossa, and Far East Suite.

Nicole Zuraitis Two. Singer/songwriter/pianist, Nicole Zuraitis has a big heart and a big voice to match. She leans into both to spread her love and art around, always hoping to make the world a better place. Nicole first appeared on Jazz Inspired to discuss her CD How Love Begins, which went on to win a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. She won a second Grammy the following year, along with her husband, drummer Dan Pugach. Now, Live at Vic’s Las Vegas, her first recorded live, has two Grammy Nominations. I was curious how this recognition has changed her life and what she’s discovered from the experience.

Northeast Ohio based guitarist Tim Mirth specializes in adventurous and diverse compositions that speak to a desire to create, explore and bring energy to the world, whether he is performing with Night Terrors, Stellar Regions or leading his own touring trio. Saxophonist Justin Tibbs specializes in straight ahead power jazz designed to bring both noise and funk in both his own JT’s Electrik Blackout and as a member of the Acid Cats. This performance features the best of the two as both players combine to produce a sound that is both progressive and accessible. Featuring Tim Mirth on Guitar, Justin Tibbs on Saxophone, Bryan Thomas on Bass and Tony Kazel on Drums, and from a July 27th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host for the Tim Mirth Quartet, Featuring Justin Tibbs…Live at the Bop Stop.

Celebrate International Women’s Day from 7am-10pm with Rachelle Rabin, Clifford Brown Jr., Jesse “Chuy” Varela, Maria Marquez and Harry Duncan as they salute the contributions of women in jazz and related music’s from all around the world. IWD celebrations were started 33 years ago by (retired) Program Director Melanie Berzon and now a time-honored tradition at KCSM JAZZ 91. Historically IWD was founded 115 years in 1911 and started to recognize women’s achievements and rally for women’s equality. JAZZ 91 Highlights include: Rachelle Rabin - I’m going to play all the amazing women musicians, composers, vocalists, arrangers that I’ve discovered over the years and digging deep into my playlists for them. Clifford Brown Jr. - From 10a-Noon during Midday Jazz I'll be primarily featuring some of the women trailblazers in jazz including Mary Lou Williams, Clora Bryant and Melba Liston. From Noon - 2p, in the American Jazz Countdown slot, I'll feature more contemporary women jazz artists like Tia Fuller, Alexa Tarantino and Artemis. While highlighting instrumentalists, both segments will feature some vocals, brief interviews with a few of the artists, and will be comprised of all women headliners. Jesse “Chuy” Varela – I will be honoring female artists from Mexico, Brazil, The Caribbean, and Latin America. We’ll welcome Rita Hargrave, producer of “Salsa De La Bahia Vol.3 – Renegade Queens, the groundbreaking anthology showcasing the contributions of women in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Afro-Latin music scene, at 4:00pm. Maria Marquez - I will be doing three programs dedicated to women in March. On March 8th I will be focusing on Women from Africa and the others a mix a women artists from around the globe. Harry Duncan - I’ll be showcasing Women of Soul, Funk, Blues and Gospel on In The Soul Kitchen. Plus African women singers like Oumou Sangare from Mali and Sally Nyolo from Cameroon.

Northeast Ohio based guitarist Tim Mirth specializes in adventurous and diverse compositions that speak to a desire to create, explore and bring energy to the world, whether he is performing with Night Terrors, Stellar Regions or leading his own touring trio. Saxophonist Justin Tibbs specializes in straight ahead power jazz designed to bring both noise and funk in both his own JT’s Electrik Blackout and as a member of the Acid Cats. This performance features the best of the two as both players combine to produce a sound that is both progressive and accessible. Featuring Tim Mirth on Guitar, Justin Tibbs on Saxophone, Bryan Thomas on Bass and Tony Kazel on Drums, and from a July 27th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host for the Tim Mirth Quartet, Featuring Justin Tibbs…Live at the Bop Stop.

We feature the lead vocal work of living legends Dianne Williams and Michele Brown of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer "Warriors," plus selections from Sallie Martin & her Singers of Joy (pictured), Sammy Lewis, Southern Faith Singers, and others.

Liz Warmerdam is the President of the Alameda Backyard Growers. In 2025, their Project Pick program donated over 15,000 pounds of produce to the Alameda Food Bank. Host Scott Piehler talks with Liz about ABG, their services to local gardeners, including growing and pruning advice, resources to introduce children to gardening, and their Free Seed Libraries.

Tim Madigan, The Burning: The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, Part 2. The conclusion of Tim Madigan’s interview facilitated by Dr. Jean Moore. With chilling details, humanity, and the narrative thrust of compelling fiction, The Burning will recreate the town of Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explore the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its black residents and neighboring Tulsa's white population, narrate events leading up to and including Greenwood's annihilation, and document the subsequent silence that surrounded the tragedy.