5 Questions with Marty Friedman
Written by Emily Morrow on February 22, 2021
What brought you to hosting a show on WICN? Why do you love being on the air?
I am passionate about jazz, especially new material. I believe that jazz does not survive without nurturing the work of living artists, and that is one of my goals for the Sunday Jazz Brunch. If I can do that while at the same time providing listeners with a great musical experience, then I have done my job.
I had no background in radio, but I have a background in jazz ever since I got turned on to it when I was in high school. In college in NYC I was the arts editor for a 30,000-circulation newspaper, and that got me started getting to know musicians, producers, and other folk involved in the creation and distribution of the music.
What is your favorite WICN memory?
Hanging out with Joe Zupan during fund drives. It was always a blast.
FILL IN THE BLANK: The best concert I ever saw was ______________?
There is no one best, and besides, there are different genres that I am into. Here’s my list:
The ‘70s
Mahavishnu Orchestra Central Park NYC
King Crimson, Central Park NYC
Grateful Dead, Philadelphia
Johnny Griffin, Village Gate NYC
Barry Harris, Bradley’s NYC
BB King, Carnegie Hall NYC
More Recent
Steve Kuhn, Smoke NYC
Alan Broadbent, Small’s NYC
Stacey Kent Place, Des Arts Montreal
Many listeners don’t know that the majority of our hosts are volunteers that do this out of a personal passion. What do you/did you do professionally off the air?
Software engineer
Who are your favorite artists and/or albums of all time?
- Steve Kuhn
- Alan Broadbent
- Gregory Porter
- Stacey Kent
- All the classic guys: Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy, Miles, Trane, Herbie, Chick, Bird, etc.
- Chuck Loeb
- Joao Gilberto
Man, this is getting ridiculous. I might as well put a playlist here!
Terry Chapman On March 7, 2021 at 2:09 pm
Hi Marty! Thanks for playing piano jazz!! Terry Chapman