Hundreds of listeners gathered last week to start their holiday celebrates and the festive season with KCSM. It was an evening of good friends, good food and great live jazz! A Special thank you to everyone who brought a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots toy drive. Lots of local kids will have a happier holiday because of your generosity. (click story headline for more photo)

Sonoma Valley resident Kathleen Lawton was part of the lucky audience when soulful vocalist Allan Harris and guitarist Bruce Forman performed an extraordinary set at the Sebastiani Theater in Sonoma on Sunday December 7. The concert, dedicated to the music of Nat King Cole, was sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. (click header for more)

On Saturday night Kathleen Harris, KCSM Development Director, headed to the Golden Gate Theatre to soak in the sounds of live jazz from one of KCSMs favorites, Kamasi Washington, who delivered a powerful performance that had the crowd on its feet. After the show, Kathleen captured a special moment: Karen, a devoted KCSM fan, reaching out to thank Kamasi for the music that has meant so much to her. This simple handshake between artist and listener captures what KCSM is all about—real connections, shared love of jazz, and a community that stretches from the airwaves to the concert hall. A moment of pure jazz joy that reflects KCSMs unequaled connection to the Bay Area jazz scene.

New York City based composer and pianist Daniel Meron brought his trio to Clevland to perform pieces from his 2024 Pinch Records based release Pendulum. Over the past decade Meron has established himself as a prominent figure in the modern jazz scene releasing four critically acclaimed albums, along with featured performances at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Costa Rica Jazz Festival, and tours of the US, Canada, Europe and Israel. From a May 5th, 2024 performance that features Pablo Menares on Bass, Jimmy Macbride on Drums and Daniel Meron on piano, it’s the Daniel Meron Trio – Live at the Bop Stop.

Jimmy Witherspoon: 1950-56, Part 2. Jimmy Witherspoon is one of most influential blues shouters to emerge after WWII and yet he remains just a footnote in the evolution of Rhythm & Blues and Rock n' Roll. In part 1 of our 2-part feature on Spoon, we focused on his early recordings with Jay McShann's band from 1945-50. During that time, Spoon recorded his signature tune, "Ain't Nobody's Business," which topped the R&B charts during the summer of 1949. This week in part 2, we pick it up in 1950, while he's still recording for LA's Modern Records. Spoon would score his last hit, "The Wind Is Blowin'" for that label in 1952. Then he jumps over to Federal Records, where A&R man Ralph Bass tries a few new things, like pairing Spoon with the R&B vocal group, The Lamplighters. Having no charting hits on Federal, Spoon signs with Checker Records in Chicago, where only 3 singles are issued. It becomes clear that blues shouters like Witherspoon are out of fashion with the new Rock n' Roll record buyers, so he takes a stab at a Rock n' Roll song, "My Girl Ivy" for Atco in '56, before reinventing himself as a jazz singer. All of these records must be heard in order to appreciate the depth of styles and influence on Rock n' Roll Music that Spoon had.

Voyages: Stan Getz with Kenny Barron 1986-1991, Part 1. Featuring the hand in glove pairing of Getz's tenor and Kenny's piano.

Tony Award-nominated actress, singer, writer Melissa Errico is loaded with energy, ideas and inspiration. Melissa started singing at eleven and with her pianist father, trumpet-playing brother and Melissa on vocals, they would, in her words, make guerilla assaults on her neighbor’s pianos, going from door to door as a kind of Italian Partridge family, inviting themselves in to entertain anyone who’d have them. These adventures and others made clear where Melissa’s life was heading.

If you’re a fan of Gypsy Jazz, or are in tune with the extensive legacy of Django Reinhart, then Stephane Wrembel likely needs no introduction. But if you’re new to the genre you’ll be impressed with Stephane Wrembel’s extensive list of accomplishments and his gifts. His original compositions for movies, including Midnight in Paris, Vicky Christina Barcelona and Rifkin’s Festival have earned him global accolades. He’s performed among luminaries from John Schofield to Elvis Costello to Shelia E. There’s inspiration to be had and groundbreaking performances to be found across all 17 of his releases, including 2023’s Django New Orleans – selections from which are featured in this performance. Featuring Josh Kaye on Guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on Bass, Nick Anderson on Drums, and from a May 16th, 2024 sold out performance, it’s Stephane Wrembel – Live at the Bop Stop.

This episode includes music from The Dixie Hummingbirds (pictured), Philadelphia Voices for Christ feat. Kitty Parham, Pilgrim Jubilees, Operation PUSH Choir, Imperial Gospel Singers, Rev. J. S. Lane, and other featured performers.

Michael Meyers and Cary Weigle are the owners of Semifreddi’s Bakery. For over 40 years, Semifreddi’s has been bringing great baked goods to the Bay Area, and serving the area through educational outreach. Host Scott Piehler talks with Mike and Cary about the history of Semifreddi’s, their community commitment, efforts to eliminate food waste, and what makes Semifreddi’s the type of employer that people stay with for decades.

Speechless: How a Speech Therapist Lost Her Ability to Speak and Her Silent Struggle to Reclaim Her Voice and Life. This memoir by Vanessa Abraham, a Speech Pathologist who suddenly faced a rare neurological disease. Within a week, she went from being a mother and full-time employee to being unable to move, eat, or speak, relying entirely on others for care.In this emotional narrative, Abraham recounts her month-long stay in the ICU, grappling with profound challenges as a mother. The anguish of being unable to care for, hold, or communicate with her child weighs heavily on her. She confronts the emotional toll of her condition, including the psychological impact of her ICU experience and Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Abraham shares her mental struggles and feelings of isolation, but also chronicles her journey through rehabilitation, highlighting moments of resilience as she fights to reclaim her life. Her story offers profound insights into hope, fear, and the enduring strength of the human spirit amid adversity.