A Note from Mark Landesman, host of The Sunday Morning Jazz Set, Sundays from 6-8:30am

I support WWOZ because music is an integral part of my life and hosting The Sunday Morning Jazz Set is how I express my love of music. I've listened to music all my life, starting when I was small and playing 45's and LP's (Herb Alpert and Al Hirt) on my parents' record player. Thanks to WWOZ I discovered music from a great period of jazz: 50's small group jazz swing and similar music.

I love listening to artists like Buck Clayton, Vic Dickenson, Buddy Tate, & Maxine Sullivan and others like them (Charlie Shavers, Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest, Lurlean Hunter, & Benny Bailey!) that were wildly talented stars of their day but largely forgotten now (Gene Harris, Junior Mance, Johnny Hodges, Roy Eldridge, Pearl Bailey!). There’s so much pleasure in listening to the great jazz they played (Ruby Braff, Peanuts Hucko, JJ Johnson, Oscar Klein, & Jaye P. Morgan!)!

I love sharing this great music with listeners all over the world. You can't find this music just any place. WWOZ shares a wide variety of great music that isn't plastic-wrapped and packaged but live in-the-moment, earnest, skilled, and passionate (Arnett Cobb, Flip Phillips, Alex Welsh, Cootie Williams, Sam Price, & Lucky Peterson!). I love being a part of that and I love my part in it, bringing great artists (Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, of course!) and forgotten songs to my listeners.

I am always trying to rediscover once-great stars (Bunny Berigan, Jonah Jones, Jess Stacy, Rex Stewart, Dickie Wells, Benny Carter, Jo Stafford, & Harry Edison!) and lesser-known but talented musicians (Barney Kessel, Marlene Ver Planck, Wynton Kelly, Herb Ellis, Jimmy Cleveland, Martha Tilton, Kenny Davern, & Al Gallodoro!).

I love to share my discoveries and all the great music with my audience. It's a great adventure and WWOZ makes it happen. You can help make it happen too. Help support my show and WWOZ by donating today at wwoz.org/donate. It really makes a difference. Thanks and thanks for listening!