Since 1982, Tom Pethic has been a part of the Rochester jazz scene. Here’s the story of how Tom discovered his love for jazz. At age 21, he heard Joe Romano, the legendary Rochester jazz saxophonist. Romano was performing at The Portside, a local jazz hang-out that was located at the southern end of Irondequoit Bay. Night after night, great jazz music filled the air. As Tom was taking in the emotion that was coming from the bell of Romano’s sax, his life changed. Eventually he needed an outlet for his new found love, jazz music. Pethic ended up seeking out his own jazz radio program. His dream of doing radio became reality, as his first Artistry in Jazz program aired on Jazz 90.1, on October 18th, 1982.

Over the years, Tom Pethic has interviewed many of the world’s finest jazz musicians. They include Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Chick Corea, Les Paul, Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Freddy Cole, Pete LaRoca, Cedar Walton, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Joe Romano, Bucky Pizzarelli, Larry Willis, Ravi Coltrane, Dena DeRose, Joey DeFrancesco, Jon Hendricks, and Kenny Washington.

Artistry in Jazz can be heard Saturdays from 4:00-6 p.m. on Jazz90.1. For more information, you can visit www.artistryinjazz.org

Check out Tom Pethic’s Jazz Favorites Playlist