The Vocal Sound Of Jazz

2025 is a milestone year for The Vocal Sound of Jazz as it marks the beginning of my 45th year of producing the program.  The opportunity to create and produce this show each week is something that I have never taken for granted.  It’s an opportunity that came to me through a strange happenstance.   In the late 1970s I wrote a column for “Metro Magazine”(RIP) a lifestyle publication covering Southeastern, Virginia.  The column was lamenting the fact that public radio in our area was almost exclusively a classical music station serving the same market that had a very vibrant and successful full-time commercial classical music station (WGH-FM).  They aired no jazz, no alternative music, and very little folk music.   Shortly after the column was published, I got a call from the station’s GM and during our conversation he mentioned that the station was making some changes and would be widening its musical scope.    I mentioned to him that if that ended up happening that I had an idea for a radio program – a show devoted entirely to jazz vocal music.  About a year later my phone rang and the opportunity presented itself.  In my wildest imagination it never occurred to me that nearly 45 years later I would still be at it and enjoying it more than...

2nd Annual “Vocal Jazz Summit”

It was a privilege to be part of such a wonderful event. Great music and discussion in the wonderful atmosphere of Virginia Beach’s Zeiders American Dream Theatre – a very special...

Major Vocal Jazz Event Coming to “The Z” in Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach’s beautiful Zeider’s American Dream Theatre (“The Z) will once again host the second annual “Vocal Jazz Summitt”.  Among the highlights of the 3 day event are live performances by Kurt Elling, Alexis Cole, and Samara Joy.   Check out Thez.org for more details....

A Look Back At Some of My Favorite Music of 2021

As 2021 comes to a close and I look ahead to beginning year 42 of VSOJAZ programs, I thought I would share some of my favorite albums of this past year. 2021 Jazz Vocal Favorites Mark Winkler and David Benoit – Old Friends Melody Gardot – Sunset In the Blue (Deluxe Edition) Comes Love – Sheila Jordan Beverly Beirne – Dream Dancer Michael Stephenson Meets Alexander Claffy Samara Joy (self-titled debut) Roseanna Vitro  – Sing a Song of Bird Karen Marguth – Until Stacey Kent – Songs From Other Places Haley Tuck – Coquette (EP) 2021 Rock/Pop Favorites Aimee Mann – Queens of the Summer Hotel Richie Furay 50th Anniversary Return to the Troubadour Kings of Convenience – Peace or Love Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever Gary Louris – Jump For Joy Blue Rodeo – Many A Mile Neil Young – Carnegie Hall 1970 Victoria Bigelow – To Everyone/Going Blue Beach Boys – Feel Flows (The Sunflower & Surf’s Up Sessions) Jackson Browne – Downhill From Everywhere Haley Tuck – Junk (Released 2018)  ...

Can One Issue of a Magazine Change Your Life?

The short answer for me is yes.  I began subscribing to “Stereo Review” around 1970, while a student at University of Georgia.  By 1975 I was 25 years old, living in the Washington, D.C. area and my interest in music was evolving into a full fledged addiction.  It was fed by superb radio stations WHFS, WMAL-FM, and Felix Grant’s nightly jazz program on WMAL-AM.  And it was  further nurtured by regular visits to the legendary Cellar Door, where I had the privilege of seeing Jesse Colin Young, Kenny Rankin, Roger McGuinn, Aztec Two-Step, Harry Chapin, Mary Travers, Iain Matthews and so many others.  Through Felix Grant’s program I had my first encounter with the music of Blossom Dearie.  A new world was unfolding for me. And then I received my copy of Stereo Review’s February 1975 issue with Mabel’s Mercer’s face on the cover and the heading “Mabel Mercer and the Art of Cabaret”.  Mabel Mercer was a new name to me.  And as I read the lead article written by the legendary writer/editor Williams Livingstone, which was published in honor of  Mercer’s 75th birthday and then the accompanying article “Cabaret” by Robert Connolly the world of Jackie Cain & Roy Kral, Mel Torme, Anita O’Day, Ronny Whyte, Sylvia Syms and so many other jazz and cabaret singers not only became part of my musical life, but fueled an obsession that directly led me to become an avid listener to Alec Wilder’s and Loonis McGlohon’s award winning NPR program “American Popular Song” in 1977. Jazz vocal music became a passion and on January 4, 1980, my crazy dream of hosting a radio program exploring and celebrating this music became a reality.  Forty-one years later I’m still at it, still passionate, and still dedicated to having this music heard and appreciated by the wide audience which it so deserves. Thanks...

Your opportunity to support WHRV and VSOJAZ

It’s certainly no secret that virtually every type of arts and entertainment related organizaztion has been negatively impacted as a result of Covid-19.   While performers who depend on revenue from live performances have certainly been amongst those hardest hit, listener supported radio stations like WHRO/WHRV are facing significant budget challenges as well.   Because “Vocal Sound of Jazz” airs live late on Saturday evenings, I don’t get much opportunity to appeal to those of you who enjoy and value the program to show your support by making a contribution to the stations.   But here in these challenging times any help you are willing to give in terms of support would be very appreciated.  You can donate very simply by clicking here: whrv.org/donate  ...