Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with KCSM. Our theme, "Passing the Torch," honors jazz's tradition and its influence on generations of musicians. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or new to the genre, there's something for everyone. Join KCSM at the KCSM studio in the lower level of the CSM Library (Building 9) for a day of music, culture, and celebration with light refreshments. Everyone is Welcome! Free Parking!

KCSM Proudly presents "Celebrating 60 Years of Broadcast Excellence. This documentary chronicles KCSM's history and its commitment to Jazz, told by the dedicated curators and fans who make the station swing.

On November 26, 2024 KCSM's own Jesse "Chuy" Varela hosted the Oaktown Jazz Workshops 30th Anniversary celebration at Yoshi's at Jack London Square in Oakland. Founded in 1994 by Khalil Shaheed to educate and illuminate young people to jazz music, the event featured the John Santos Sextet, Richard Howell, the OJW Alumni Band and the current OJW Performance Ensemble. Much love goes out to OJW Executive Director Ravi Abcarian and photographer David De Hart for the photos. (click the headline for more photos of the celebration)

Brenda Earle Stokes. Canadian pianist/vocalist/songwriter/educator, Brenda Earle Stokes’ latest CD, Motherhood explores the joys and challenges of that much celebrated but often under-appreciated role. Stokes lets her fellow mothers know they aren’t alone on this wild ride and clues in everyone else on what mothers are really thinking.

Dan Wilson. From his work with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride, to his extraordinary solo work, we were lucky to snag Akron’s own Dan Wilson for an intimate trio evening celebrating his release of his fourth album Things Eternal.

Early Etta James. Producer Jerry Wexler called Etta James, "The greatest of all modern blues singers." That's great praise coming from a guy who worked with the greatest of the greats for 50 years. Etta had an amazing talent for mixing a bit of tenderness and heartbreak into her gritty, tough and soulful voice. She had a style all her own and she played by her own rules. Her success on record was equally matched by her personal failures off-mic, dealing with drug addiction, bad relationships and financial problems. This looks at how this incredible legend got started, focusing on Etta's first recordings from 1954 to her great rise in 1960. Through these records, you'll hear that even in her early days, Etta's music had great depth and variety.

Jazz Night in America remembers the legendary vocalist and pianist Andy Bey, who died on April 27 at the age of 85. Originally produced for his 80th birthday, this special episode revisits a conversation between Andy and producer Herb Jordan, along with powerful performances from a 2002 concert in New York City. We celebrate the life, music, and enduring spirit of a singular jazz voice.

Dan Wilson. From his work with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride, to his extraordinary solo work, we were lucky to snag Akron’s own Dan Wilson for an intimate trio evening celebrating his release of his fourth album Things Eternal.

Caste Aside: Dalit Oppression, Healing & Liberation. What is caste? According to author Thenmozhi Soundararajan, “caste is suffering. That one’s worth and fate are determined at the moment of birth. Forced to exist in a caste apartheid of segregated ghettos." On this week's episode, we talk to Thenmozhi Soundararajan the author of The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. Examining caste from a feminist, abolitionist, and Dalit Buddhist perspective, Thenmozhi lays bare the grief, trauma, rage, and stolen futures enacted by Brahminical social structures on the caste-oppressed.

David Goodchild, a member of the National Hobo Association, is the guest. Goodchild, a military veteran, reflects upon real-life experiences as a hobo chronicling some of those experiences through music. The National Hobo Association was founded in 1977 by actor Bobb Hopkins and others in Los Angeles who were interested in the hobo lifestyle as a hobby and part of a romantic interest in hoboes.

Sami Aaron, founder of The Resilient Activist, shares her journey from being a data manager to supporting environmental activists. Sami highlights the need for mental health support within the environmental movement, she encourages individuals to talk about their climate emotions and recommends resources for climate anxiety. ● The Resilient Activist offers programs and community gatherings to support the emotional well-being of environmental activists. ● Sami envisions a future where every environmental group prioritizes the well-being of their staff and volunteers. ● Holistic practices, such as meditation and spending time in nature, can help activists build resilience and prioritize self-care. ● Talking about climate emotions and reaching out for help can be beneficial for individuals and create a sense of community.