OPINION: jazz FM --> smooth FM
What we think: The content changed ages ago, and that wasn't cool. It made all us real jazz heads have to keep unusual hours to hear any real jazz on the station. Now, they're coming out of the camouflage of the name; that makes it easier for us not to listen anymore and not feel like we're deserting "JAZZ". Let's go to the BBC while we campaign to get a REAL jazz station... Otherwise, if you have broadband and can link your computer to your sound system, here are a few alternatives:
- The Mountain Cat (CA) - http://www.warpradio.com/asx/kaat-fm.asx
- WBGO 88.3 FM (NJ) - http://www2.jazzcentralstation.com/newjcs/main/wbgo/wbgo.asp
- Shonan Beach FM (Japan) - http://www.beachfm.co.jp/beachlive.ram
- Smooth Jazz 98.1 (San Diego) - http://live.cts.com/cgi-bin/play.cgi?kifm
- For MORE Options, visit: http://www.radio-locator.com/
- and we LOVE: The John Coltrane Site - plays 12 of his tracks on repeat for as long as you like!
We hope this helps you rest easier.
posted by x_reviewer at 9:06 AM
8 Comments:
i agree! nice links
JazzFm 91.1 (TO) has become very annoying with their music selection.....especially R.Benmergui. Overall, I can't understand that with the wealth of jazz artists and glorious jazz music out there, this station's selection is soooooo narrow (and what appears to this ear) as programmed for shopping malls most of the times.
So true! It seems to be happening all over. In trying to be "commercial" the stations are losing the very thing we are looking for, good jazz.
Yes, I agree the new breed of progrmmers are incompetent, Ross Porter has been given charge and I commend him, I liked his work in Halifax, during the late evening hours, it was soothing after a busy day of exhaustion. But these new especially the early morning lot, I was just getting used to the woman's style when he brought in this Ralph person, who has no class and don't know enough about the music he is supposed to be playing. It's all a game for him. He makes snide remarks which I find intolerable and nothing but the same thing day in and day out. He must be given a crash course in jazz, especially for us older listeners.
I think it's great that they have changed the name to Smooth FM, as at least they are no longer a complete fraud. You are right, it means we really can tune out permanently without feeling as if we have abandoned jazz. I will still tune in to Chadwick and Burnap when possible, but the slots mean this will be an occasional thing.
'guess you don't know what you have 'til it's gone..." Having listened to JazzFM91 (nee CJRT-FM) for over 25 years I can certainly attest that they are far from perfect. But they do live up to their billing as 'Canada's Premiere Jazz Station'. Who else is programming Jazz in Canada 24/7? And with only 4 minutes of commercials per hour!
They've reduced their dependency on imported late evening Bob Parlocha, created new programs with Joe Sealy, Jeff Healey, Bill King (and others) brought back Marion McPartland, They give us Jazz from Lincoln Centre (for that I can forgive them 'RiverWalk')
So they've slipped in a bit of 'smooth jazz' to broaden their fan base. Minor quibble when you realize all U.S. commercial 'jazz' stations have gone smooth, as well as other stations in Canada.
Yes they can get better and need to be pushed to do so. Become a member, make your voice heard, volunteer, run for the board of Directors, get involved! But don't sitback on the sidelines and carp. Try living in a jazz wasteland and being forced to surviving on an internet feed thru a laptop!
Richard Rafton
Kelowna, BC
richard, your comment has really made me think. i'm joining the jazz guerrilla movement. let's take control of those boardrooms!
I agree with many of the comments made and think that CJRT, as I still like to call it, has strayed from the good jazz that it played when it started as a jazz station.
The balancing of the music in their programs and standard of the instrumentalists and singers that are now being heard leaves much to be desired. They should bring in more music from the UK and Europe
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