On Saturday night, June 15, The Dick Conte Quartet (Dick on piano; Steve Webber, bass; Steve Heckman, saxophones; Jimmy Hobson, drums) performed at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley during their annual concert to benefit the Dick Conte Piano Scholarship Fund which helps young jazz pianists.

The San Francisco Bay area has a vibrant jazz scene. I think of myself as a lifelong student of the music and of my instrument, the alto sax. Recently, a "Sun Ra" ensemble at the Jazz School in Berkeley needed an alto player and I was asked to play. All of the student ensemble concerts at semester's end are free and presented at Rendon Hall. It's always a fun evening of music from many styles, performed by students who are energized by their genre and eager to share what they've been collectively "about."

Every Monday night from 6-9PM Max's in Burlingame offers free entertainment in the form of the Afterglow Jazz Jam hosted by KCSM's Chris Cortez. A diverse mix of Jazz fans, out of town diners, and fantastic local musicians of all levels embark weekly on a night of good vibes, swinging music and community. "Passing on the tradition and having the young cats swing with the veterans is what it's all about" says Chris. Dust off your ax and come on down for a warm and fun night of unexpected bright moments in music.

Join Sonny Buxton for a birthday salute to alto sax great, Cannonball Adderley. Born Julian Edwin Adderley on Sept.15,1928 in Tampa, Florida, the legacy of Cannonball looms large with his crossover 1966 hit, “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy”, and his stints with Miles Davis.

Join Dick Conte as he features NRA Jazz Master Kenny Barron, one of the most admired and prolific pianists, in a variety of settings from his vast collection as a leader and sideman.

This episode of “Just Jazz” shines the spotlight simply on the date: 14th September. Tune in to hear a very generous baker’s dozen jazz performances recorded on 14th September over six decades from from 1938 through 1998, from Mary Lou Williams, Mildred Bailey, and Jelly Roll Morton, via Shorty Rogers, Kenny Burrell, and Dexter Gordon, through Joe Pass, Junior Mance, and Ernestine Anderson.

Family Guy creator, Seth MacFarlane and I met in Hollywood (well, not really, but I don’t want to tell you where his house is, which is where we did meet) to talk about his first CD, which went on to win a Grammy, and his favorite jazz recordings. Stewie and Peter dropped by to add their thoughts as well. Brian brought the martinis.

This episode pays tribute to the Wooten Choral Ensemble on its 75th anniversary and to the late Bishop Kervy Brown with long sets for each.

Inner City Theatre Group

Josephine Bolling McCall-The Lynching of Elmore Bolling. For decades, Elmore Bolling’s family believed myths perpetuated by white people—and even by Rosa Parks—about why he was killed: that he was involved in a love triangle or that he had insulted his assailant’s wife. Though Josephine Bolling McCall’s father was killed when she was 5 years old, it was not until she was 60 that she discovered an article in the Chicago Defender describing the real reason for her father’s killing: “Enraged whites jealous over the success of a Negro, are believed to be the lynchers of Elmore Bolling.”

Brad Lancaster, author and co-founder of neighborhoodforesters.org, shares his journey of becoming a water harvesting expert in the Sonoran Desert. He explains how he became inspired to be part of the solution to the water crisis in his community and started harvesting rainwater as his primary water source. Brad emphasizes the importance of using rainwater, which is known as sweet water, as it is free from salts and minerals and acts as a natural fertilizer for plants. He also discusses the principles of water harvesting, such as long and thoughtful observation, slowing the spread of water, and creating a living sponge in the soil. Brad encourages listeners to check out his websites and books for more information on water harvesting and to take action in their own communities.