Thank you to everyone who made the first Friends of Jazz on the Hill gathering so full of purpose, celebration, and possibility. The evening honored Tuck & Patti with the ICON Award for their extraordinary artistry and brought our community together to support the next generation of jazz musicians. Because of the generosity in the room, the 2027 Youth Stage will have the support to grow — and, for the first time ever, KCSM can capture and share Youth Stage performances beyond the festival day. Even more young musicians will have the chance to be heard. Thank you for helping open the stage wider, carry the music farther, and make Jazz on the Hill possible for the next generation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Musings on Miles: An Evening with Sonny Buxton, a celebration of Sonny’s voice, legacy, and extraordinary place in Bay Area jazz. Through music, conversation, mentorship, and shared memory, the evening honored Sonny’s lifelong commitment to bringing jazz stories to the people. It also helped launch the Sonny Buxton Jazz Legacy Fund, supporting paid internships, mentorship, broadcast training, and opportunities for the next generation of jazz storytellers. We are deeply grateful to our guests, artists, donors, and listeners for helping carry Sonny’s legacy forward.

Thank you for coming to The JazzSchool's Brown Bag Jazz Hang with Jayn Pettingill. It was a wonderful afternoon where Jayn made a fantastic presentation on Duke Ellington and radio and some old friends from KCSM stopped by to share the afternoon.

JAZZ in IRELAND: Part 2 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 International Jazz Day from Ireland! On this day when jazz is celebrated around the world, we continue our new series of regular articles on Jazz in Ireland on the KCSM website. In this Part 2 of the series, guest writer musician & musicologist Mark O’Callahan continues with the story of Jazz as it unfolded in Ireland and how, despite the obstacles stated in Part 1, the brilliant and innovative Irish jazz artists started to emerge after 1945 into the 1950’s 60’s & 70’s; also included is an introduction to the extraordinary and influential Irish guitarist Louis Stewart.Part 3 of the series Jazz in Ireland will continue next month with a more in-depth exploration of Louis Stewart, his peers, and the generation of Irish jazz musicians he influenced. (click story subject to continue)

KCSM's Jazz Appreciation Month Celebration "Passing The Torch" made 48 Hill news! (click the story subject for more)

2026 has started out with a plethora of great new jazz releases but there is none more unique than the collaboration of four dynamic and acclaimed vocalists known as “The Sistering.” Comprised of Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Lois Deloatch, Kate McGarry, and Nenna Freelon, the release of their debut collaboration speaks to a deeply personal relationship with songs that implore passion and power. (click the story subject more)

We asked our listeners to support the next generation at our "Passing the Torch," celebration for Jazz Appreciation Month and you showed up! It was an afternoon of amazing young jazz musicians from St. Ignatius Preparatory School, SF Conservatory of Music (RJAM), CSM Big Band and an appearance by none other than celebrated pianist Larry Vuckovich who all delighted a full house - and the many viewers who tuned in on Facebook. Thank you all for showing your support! If you missed the event, you can watch it on Facebook. (click the story subject for the Facebook Link)

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)

Melanie Berzon was a true powerhouse at KCSM for over 25 years. She served as Program Director before moving into the role of Director of Operations, but most listeners know her as the unforgettable afternoon cohost of Jazz In The Afternoon, sharing the mic on alternating days with fellow afternoon dynamo Jesse "Chuy" Varela. Together, they were unstoppable especially during Fund Drives, when their energy, camaraderie, and talent for turning listeners into supporters were unmatched. (click story subject to continue)