Jazz90.1 WGMC-FM first went on the air on November 1, 1973. On this page, we will be posting photos, documents, tributes and more, as we celebrate five decades on the air. We invite you to stop back often and view our history! If you have old photos from our past, or any special stories to share, please e-mail them to webmaster@jazz901.org.
So many wonderful people have walked through our doors over the years at Jazz90.1. When going through the many boxes of photos and documents that we have in storage, we have done our best to identify those people whom we know. Some however, we could not identify. If you spot a photo with no description and know the person(s,) please send along a snapshot of the picture, as well as the description of who is in the photo to webmaster@jazz901.org, and we will update the image.
Thank you to Nick Woyciesjes and Riley Smith for their hard work in digitizing all of these old images and articles.
Jazz90.1 WGMC-FM History In Photos
Join Us For Our 50th Anniversary
Gala In November!
Check Out Some Old Press Articles
Work To Begin On WGMC July 20 1972
WGRC takes applications March 1972 Student Newspaper
Student News Paper WGRC Nearing Reality with Bricklaying photo 1972
Money Major Hurdle for Station WGRC
Athena High Station on air in Fall
Articles on WGMC in the press part 2
You’re On The Air WGMC article
School Radio Not Just For Kids Pt. 1
School Radio Not Just For Kids Pt. 2
Jazz90.1 completed a large capital project in 2004, raising tens of thousands of dollars needed to increase its broadcast power from 2,500 watts, to 15,000 watts. This dramatically increased the coverage area in which WGMC-FM could be heard. Listeners and members pledged their financial support during what seemed to be an endless campaign. With their help and support, the dream of increased power became a reality! Here are some photos of the new 15kw transmitter being installed at our transmitter site.
Jazz90.1 “flips the switch” to 15,000 watts in early 2004. Pictured left to right at the power increase party, Greece Supervisor John Auberger, former Greece Chamber of Commerce President Carlos Mercado, former Greece Central School District Superintendent Steve Walts and Assemblyman Bill Reilich.
Celebrating 25 Years of WGMC – History (Published December 1999)
In December of 1999, one of our dedicated volunteers – Mim Cohn – undertook the extensive project to organize and parse through a quarter century of WGMC’s history. Although some pieces are missing, check out a very good summary of our history here.
Click Here to Watch “School for Jazz”
Local Rochester filmmaker Dave Esposito released a documentary showcasing Jazz90.1. “School for Jazz” celebrates the station’s 40th anniversary. Esposito and Agricola Media spent nearly four months shooting the project in an effort to showcase Jazz90.1’s history, and important place in the Rochester and international jazz scene. “School for Jazz” takes viewers on a tour and shows the history of Jazz90.1 WGMC-FM – one of the nation’s last remaining 24/7/365 public jazz stations. The short film can be viewed by clicking the link above this article.
Dave Esposito’s curiosity and passion for film began as a young adult when he threw away his TV and spent most nights at the local art house theater in Baltimore viewing everything and anything. The language and beauty of film captivated his imagination on many levels. Over the years, Dave has been fortunate to meet and work with some phenomenal individuals while pursuing his interests in woodworking, farming, and the arts. Past productions include From Talking To Playing, a profile of renowned New York City pianist & teacher Mira Armij Gill; Making & Mastering Wood Planes, a “how-to” mini-series with renowned woodworker David Finck; To Have & To Give, a heartfelt documentary about live organ donation, produced in cooperation with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City; and Captain-Story of a Fallen Soldier, a profile of a fascinating Vietnam veteran which has aired on WXXI, the local PBS affiliate in Rochester.
Jazz90.1 WGMC Cookbook
On Sale Now!
In the mid 1990’s, Jazz90.1 WGMC-FM released a cookbook filled with recipes from staff, volunteers and local musicians. Thanks to the work done by then Station Manager Eric Gruner and former Development Director Cheryl Monk, this cookbook was published and sold as a way to raise funds for WGMC.
Coming up this fall, we will offer a newly updated version of the WGMC cookbook, with all of the previous receipes, and lots of delicious updates. Order yours today by clicking HERE.
MORE Photos!
