Sunday, November 19 2006
If you love jazz in all its myriad forms, especially deep tracks of "classic" jazz, then you may want to tune your radio to what in my opinion is THE greatest jazz radio station on earth - WBGO-FM, a/k/a "Jazz 88." If you live in the New York metropolitan area you can listen at 88.3-FM, and WBGO is commercial-free, too. I've been a member of the station for years, and since I now live outside the reach of their antenna, I listen at
www.wbgo.org. I'm particularly fond of "The Blues Hour," which airs Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. (ET) hosted by Michael Bourne, who's also a cigar smoker.
In addition to all the great programming you'll hear on WBGO, they also offer some wonderful off-air cultural exhibits and concerts held at the radio station's headquarters at 54 Park Place in downtown Newark, New Jersey.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, WBGO is currently featuring an art exhibition in their art Gallery through December 2nd entitled "The Art of Latin Music." The artists featured in this exhibit include Cynthia Carris Alonso whose photography reflects music and daily life in Cuba; Amy Kool who will present her "Mambo Mandalas," inspired by LP recordings of salsa, meringue and bossa nova; and Cheryl Gross whose series entitled "Smoke" are works inspired by the myths and cultures of the Cuban Cigar.
Those who want to see the exhibit can visit the WBGO gallery Mondays through Fridays from 9am - 5pm. For more information on the "The Art of Latin Music" click here, or call 973-624-8880. To listen to WBGO live online, and learn how to become a member, visit their website at www.wbgo.org.
And don't forget: Jazz and cigars make a harmonious combo. Light-up and listen.
~ Gary Korb
