Author: Jazz90.1

JazzKidz – Week #5 – Jon Batiste

By: Jaclyn Breeze The piano has been an essential part of jazz since the genre began. It is both a solo and ensemble instrument since the player can produce a melody and harmony at the same time. Many players are proficient on the piano even if it is not their main instrument, as it is…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 16 – Jeff Harris

Jeff Harris has been a life-long fan of the blues. He discovered his passion for blues while growing up in the Bronx, avidly listening to left-of-the-dial radio stations and sneaking into blues and jazz clubs. He began seriously collecting blues while in high school and hosted a blues show for several years when he attended…

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Jazz90.1 Now Available on iHeart Radio App

Listeners can now tune in to Jazz90.1 on the nation’s largest and most popular broadcast app. The iHeartRadio app is available on over 250 platforms and over 2,000 different connected devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions and gaming consoles. Download the app for Apple devices HERE. Download…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 15 – Nate Jones

Nate Jones is our youngest volunteer DJ. He hosts a weekly program called “Jazz Wavelengths” on Jazz90.1. A life of following his passions (for the environment, art, and music) lead Nate to come and volunteer in 2021. As an artist himself (poetry, hip-hop and alternative rock music), jazz has been a consistent source of inspiration…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 10 – Andy Heinze

Andy Heinze is one of our longest-serving volunteer DJ’s. He came to the station in 1989, and now hosts a weekly program called “Andy’s Mood” every Friday night. Andy was raised on an eclectic musical diet that included Bebop, Big-Band, 70’s Fusion and hard rock. On this episode of WGMC@50, Andy reflects on his time…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 14 – Rick Petrie

Jazz90.1’s Rick Petrie has always been a fan of more adventurous types of music. Rick has hosted adventurous radio programs in Rochester since 1988, including “Nothing Is” and “Live China” on WITR, and “In All Languages” on WRUR. He currently hosts “North Star Sounds” on Jazz90.1 every Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to midnight. In…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 13 – Rob Linton

Jazz90.1 Station Manager Rob Linton came to WGMC in 2004 when he was just 24 years old and fresh out of graduate school. He had started his career first at WWWG 1460 AM in high school, then with Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartRadio,) at stations like 1180 WHAM, 95.1/95.5 The Nerve, Mix 1005, Sunny 102.3…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 12 – Cory Halloran

Monday evening host Cory Halloran first learned about Jazz90.1 when he was a student of Prof. Rob Linton at Monroe Community College, then St. John Fisher University. His interest in radio led him to an internship with the station while at Fisher, then an independent study, and finally as a volunteer host. Cory has hosted…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 11 – Dan Gross

Monday evening host Dan Gross has been a volunteer with Jazz90.1 since he was just 22 – and a recent grad of SUNY Oswego. During his time at the station, Dan has established himself as Rochester’s only legitimate music reporter – both recording artists and featuring them as part of The Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight…

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JazzKidz – Week #4 – Muddy Waters

By Jaclyn Breeze – The guitar is part of the string family. It has six strings that are strummed or plucked with the right hand to make sound. The pitch is changed by pressing down at different points on the strings with the left hand. Acoustic guitars are hollow, with a sound hole near the…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 9 – Otto Bruno

Otto Bruno has been with Jazz90.1 for nearly 25 years. In that time, he’s hosted a weekly program called “The Sunday Music Festa,” and previously hosted a show called “Sinatra and Co.” His love for ‘ol blue eyes even led him to host a Frank Sinatra marathon for his centennial a few years back. Otto…

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JazzKidz – Week #3 – Ella Fitzgerald

Vocal jazz emerged in the early 1900s, around the time that the blues were becoming popular. Much of the vocal jazz repertoire comes out of the Great American Songbook, which is a collection of the most popular songs and jazz standards that have stayed favorites for many years. Scat singing came out of the New…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 8 – Phil Dodd

Phil Dodd has been with Jazz90.1 since 1995. During that time, he has served in many volunteer capacities including weekend host, weekday host, volunteer coordinator and more. Heck – he’s just about done it all for the station that he loves. Phil talks about his time with the station in this week’s episode of…

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2023-24 – Week #2

SaxophoneBy: Jaclyn Breeze The saxophone is a woodwind instrument. The instrument is made of metal, but is classified as a woodwind because of the mouthpiece. It uses a wooden reed that vibrates against plastic to create sound when a player blows into it. It is one of the most recently invented instruments, developed in the…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 5 – Charyll Monk

Many long-time listeners and members remember Charyll Monk. She was the driving force behind development for Jazz90.1, and oversaw office operations, too. Charyll reflects back to her time with the station, and just how hard everyone worked to ensure its success in the “lean” years.

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 7 – Mike Serowik

Mike Serowik came to WGMC back in the 1980’s after falling in love with radio during his time at Purdue University. The college station was jazz and classical based, and jazz was Mike’s love. Mike eventually moved to Rochester to begin his career at Kodak, and he discovered WGMC-FM. He eventually landed a jazz show…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 4 – Eric Gruner

Eric Gruner served in many roles at Jazz90.1 before becoming the station’s General Manager. During his tenure, Eric was responsible for numerous projects that would enhance our listening area, including the addition of a second frequency on 105.1 FM to better serve the East Side of Rochester, and he would begin the lengthy and expensive…

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2023-24 – Week #1

TromboneBy: Jaclyn Breeze The trombone is a brass instrument. Players blow air into the instrument and change the position of the slide to change the notes. Historical accounts of trombones start as far back as 1466. Back then, it was good for outdoor events and concerts, as it can be a very loud instrument. It…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 6 – Jason Crane

Jason Crane was a young man when he joined Jazz90.1. He had already had an impressive career, and came to the station first as Development Director, then moved into the role of Station Manager. Jason worked tirelessly during his tenure to bring our power increase across the finish line before departing in 2004 for politics…

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WGMC@50 Podcast Series: Episode 1 – Todd Blide

Episode 1 – Todd Blide: For our first episode, we spent some time with one of the first students to be involved with WGMC-FM – Todd Blide. Todd was a volunteer from 1973 – 1980, and also served in the roles of Personnel Director, Continuity Director, News Director, Chief Engineer and others. He also hosted…

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