Time was that the range and spread of smooth jazz radio across the USA made searching out stations for new and familiar sounds both a pleasure and an education. It also offered the opportunity for up and coming artists to be heard in their local markets or in those locations where they were touring and performing. Now all that is threatened by Broadcast Architectures concept for a smooth jazz radio ‘superstation’ across America. With a launch date scheduled for January 2007 the idea has the potential to put on the same syndicated shows delivered by the same presenters in the same timeslots across a whole bunch of smooth jazz radio markets. Pre-launch is already underway with Annie Ashe now on the air at Clear Channel's WNUA - Chicago, WZJZ - Ft. Myers, WDSJ - Dayton, KMYT - Temecula CA and KABQ - Albuquerque. The Ramsey Lewis morning show that originates at WNUA launched in several additional markets earlier this week. Latest sign up is Grammy winning guitarist Norman Brown, pictured here, who will join Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network's elite team of air talent on its nationally distributed weekend afternoon shows. Brown's shift will be Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Although Broadcast Architecture president Allen Kepler comments that Brown’s “personal charisma will translate to a very memorable experience for our listeners" the reality will be less choice, more ‘voice recorded’ shows outside of real time and more influence by a few radio moguls as to what gets played. Thank heavens that programmes such as Steve Quirks Fusion Flavours, available in the north west of England on Smooth FM 100.4, and via the internet, will continue to fly the flag for what smooth jazz is really all about.
Check back here often for all the news of what is hot on American smooth jazz radio.