KCSM staff, including Station Manager, Dr. Robert Franklin, were proud to attend this year’s Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world. Since 1958, MJF has given both legendary performers and emerging artists a platform to share their music with audiences who cherish jazz. (Click subject line for more)

Last month, KCSM On-Air Host Harry Duncan, (In The Soul Kitchen and Thursday's Jazz In The Afternoon) spun a special late night set on the last night of The Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. In the legendary Crystal Palace venue, Duncan served up a hour’s worth of freestyle roots and rhythm to a very enthusiastic, open and diverse group of dancers. (click the subject line to see a short video.)

Vocalist, pianist, songwriter and positive spirit, Betty Bryant at ninety-four is an inspiration on so many levels that her age, which would be the first thing one would mention with anyone else, seems almost beside the point.Betty’s latest CD, Lotta Livin’ produced by her longtime friend and collaborator Robert Kyle, shows Betty’s blues roots, soulful sound, and cheeky sense of humor.

David Janeway Trio. Detroit native David Janeway cut his teeth with Marcus Belgrave and Harold McKinney before moving to New York in the late 1970s, and the enduring influences of both Motown and Latin Jazz are evident in his music. One of New York’s most thoughtful composers, David’s trio makes its Bop Stop debut in support of their second album Forward Motion, released in 2024.This performance features longtime collaborator and fellow Detroit native Robert Hurst on bass, and drumming legend Billy Hart. From June 14th, 2024 Daniel Peck is your host for the David Janeway Trio … Live at the Bop Stop.

Atlantic Records, Part 8 - 1954, Part 2. Atlantic Records was the most influential, significant and important independent record label to come out of the late-1940s, during a time when there were many great, small indie labels being born. What gave Atlantic the advantage over Specialty, Chess, Modern, Vee-Jay, Exclusive, King, etc. is the breadth of material, variety of music styles and the sheer number of hit records that led to the Rock n' Roll explosion of the mid-1950s. This behemoth 14-part series celebrates the first 10 years of Atlantic's existence: 1947-57. This week in part eight, we take a look at the last half of 1954, one of the biggest years in Atlantic's storied history. It was during the last six months of the year that Ruth Brown scored her 4th and 5th #1 records with "Oh What A Dream" and "Mambo Baby" respectively. "Mambo Baby" would end up being Brown's final #1, though she would still rack up hit records over the next 5 years. LaVern Baker and Ray Charles released career defining records at the very end of 1954 that would make an even greater impact in 1955, just as Rock n' Roll was beginning to enter the mainstream. We'll also dig on a killer New Orleans instrumental from Tommy Ridgley and Ivory Joe Hunter's first release for Atlantic. So buckle in and prepare yourself for an in-depth, 14 part look at the history of Atlantic Records, which could also be described as a look at the history of American Music itself.

Distinguished as one of the top bassists, bandleaders, and producers of today, Christian McBride is a leader who leaves no stone unturned in his jazz journey. Christian joins Jesse “Chuy” Varela to talk about his latest project, “Without Further Ado, Vol.1”, a stellar album featuring a superb group of vocalists singing songs he arranged for them with his acclaimed big band. He also talks about his upcoming appearances at The Presidio Theater in San Francisco on Thurs. Oct. 16 and Fri. Oct. 17 with his longtime collaborator, Brad Mehldau. Info: www.presidiotheatre.org

Detroit native David Janeway cut his teeth with Marcus Belgrave and Harold McKinney before moving to New York in the late 1970s, and the enduring influences of both Motown and Latin Jazz are evident in his music. One of New York’s most thoughtful composers, David’s trio makes its Bop Stop debut in support of their second album Forward Motion, released in 2024.This performance features longtime collaborator and fellow Detroit native Robert Hurst on bass, and drumming legend Billy Hart. From June 14th, 2024 Daniel Peck is your host for the David Janeway Trio … Live at the Bop Stop.

Selections from the Gay Sisters, Barrett Sisters (pictured) with Roberta Martin, Ravizee Singers, Madame Marie Knight, Universal Jubileers, Rev. Charles Nicks Jr. and others.

Ron Silberstein is the “Chief Malt Hustler” at Alameda’s Admiral Maltings, which supplies California’s finest brewers and distillers with a critical component: Malt. From the open-to-the-public behind-the-scenes tours, to their dog-and-family-friendly pub “The Rake,” Admiral Maltings is truly one of Alameda’s Hidden Gems. We’ll explore the journey of an Alameda ingredient that’s probably already in your glass, from local farmers to your favorite beverage.

River Huston, Part 2. The conclusion of an encore recording of River Huston presentation on the topic “How Women Feel About Their Bodies.” Huston is an artist, sex educator, an award-winning poet, journalist, performer and activist.