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.

This episode pays tribute in loving memory to Jeffrey Newberry Sr. (Gospel Keynotes), Elder Goldwire McLendon (pictured) (Savettes), and Katie Sankey.

Alisa Rasera and John Brennan are the co-chairs of the Social Justice Ministry at Alameda’s Christ Episcopal Church. Host Scott Piehler talks Alisa & John about CEC’s work as host of the Alameda Warming Shelter, their ongoing shower program, recently launched laundry program, and other services to assist the unhoused of Alameda.

Remembering the late Pulitzer Prize winner Roger Wilkins. Roger Wilkins was a Pulitzer Prize winner, sharing the 1973 Pulitzer for Public Service with his Washington Post colleagues (Woodward, Bernstein, and Herblock) for their coverage exposing the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation. Wilkins was a distinguished journalist, civil rights leader, and professor, known for his powerful editorials and work in government and academia, including serving as Assistant Attorney General and as the first Black member of the New York Times editorial board. Wilkins Legacy: Wilkins' career spanned law, journalism, and education, consistently advocating for equality and challenging the nation to live up to its ideals, leaving a significant mark on American public service and civil rights.

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.