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!

If you missed the original airing of Harry Duncan's (producer and host of In The Soul Kitchen) exclusive interview with Van Morrison during his recent run of five sold out shows at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, you can still listen to this great interview. Van and Harry sat down for an exclusive interview to talk about his new album, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge. The album features covers and fresh interpretations of some of Van’s favorite blues, R&B and soul artists by Van and his band plus special guests Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy and Elvin Bishop. Van and Harry share a love and deep respect for these artists and their music. Both the artists Van honors on Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge and beyond. This interview was a welcome opportunity for them to talk freely about the inspiration these artists provided and the influence these artists have had on both of them. (click the story subject to hear the interview)

JAZZ in IRELAND: Part 1 of a new series of articles from Ireland and Europe for KCSM.org INTRO by Melanie O’Reilly, jazz singer, radio host & producer, jazz educator. Happy St Patrick’s Day! On this day when Irish culture is celebrated around the world, we begin a new series of regular articles on Jazz in Ireland on the KCSM website. Jazz is alive and well in contemporary Ireland with jazz festivals, jazz workshops, and jazz education in third-level institutions flourishing, with bebop, swing, blues, fusion, ethno-jazz, jazz rock, Celtic jazz, Latin-jazz and improvised explorations being the norm. (click story subject to continue)

Join Jesse “Chuy” Varela as he welcomes drummer extraordinaire, Michael Carvin. Among the most influential drummers in jazz and a veteran bandleader, Michael Carvin is an iconic artist whose resume includes work with Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Alice Coltrane, and dozens more. The Houston-born Carvin began his career at age 12 and quickly advanced as a professional, serving as a house drummer at Motown Records for two years before moving to New York and his first high-profile gig with trumpet genius Freddie Hubbard. He has appeared on more than 250 albums and led or co-led 15 sessions including Antiquity, the landmark 1975 duo session with saxophonist Jackie McLean. Carvin makes his SFJAZZ debut at the Joe Henderson Lab on Thursday, April 9, with his Michael Carvin Experience.

Part 2. On Stanley Turrentine: Sugar Man / CTI Rarities. Jazz and Soul Jazz Master Stanley Turrentine is in the stellar company of Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Eric Gale, Johnny Hammond, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Astrud Gilberto, and more.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is one of the crown jewels of Jazz. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, they have been situated at Preservation Hall since 1961 and have evolved into global ambassadors of traditional Crescent City jazz. Creative director, Ben Jaffe, the son of founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe, joins Jesse “Chuy” Varela to talk about the legacy of Preservation Hall and their upcoming appearance at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco on Thurs. April 9 through Sun. April 12. Details at PresidioTheatre.org

Venezuelan pianist, Otmaro Ruiz and Brazilian vocalist Catina DeLuna’s latest CD, Lado B Brazilian Project 2, features less well-known songs from the Brazilian songbook, and fresh arrangements of some of the classics. Lado B, means B Side. Catina and Otmaro thought it would be a fun pursuit to record these often forgotten tunes they both consider as interesting as the celebrated A side cuts. These are two fabulous musician who are unusually articulate in explaining their process so this was a fascinating and enlightening conversation. They’re also loads of fun.

Dan Bruce and Dan Wilson. Dan Bruce graces our stage regularly now – but he spent a number of years cutting his teeth in Chicago where guitar duo jam sessions were commonplace. They’re a little bit less common in Cleveland – so we knew we were in for a special night when he teamed up with Akron native –and Mack Avenue Records recording artist Dan Wilson for a night of two guitarist doing what they do best. From a sold-out show on July 1st, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for Dan Bruce and Dan Wilson… Live at the Bop Stop.

This program explores a very strange but talented and prolific musical partnership. It began when Duke Ellington invited a young Billy Strayhorn to come to New York from Pittsburg in 1938. And so, began a 30-year relationship that produced some of the most recognizable tunes in jazz. Billy Strayhorn wrote many tunes and arrangements for the Ellington band but took no credit because of his homosexuality and his need to remain anonymous. This show explores a few of the many tunes he wrote but Ellington took credit for.

Buffalo based Adam Bronstein is a guitar player known for his clever songwriting and playful improvisation. Focusing on guitar at the forefront of its sound, his trio’s music is instrumental with influences ranging from jazz through Hip Hop, R&B and Psychedelia. We were excited to catch Adam on a recent trip to his native Buffalo, and even more excited when he appeared on tour at the Bop Stop for this May 22nd. 2025 appearance in support of his most recent release ABTrio. Featuring Adam on Guitar, James Benders on Bass and Gabriel Wells on Drums and Percussion, Daniel Peck is your host for Adam Bronstein and the AB Trio-Live at the Bop Stop.

This week’s program is an encore recording of the program is being hosted by William Luck. It’s an "oldie but goodie" Gospel Memories program edition broadcast on March 24, 2012.