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As you may know, public media stations across the country have recently been hit by significant federal funding cuts. For WICN Public Radio, this means a loss of 18% which is $99,400 each year that we will have to fill. Since 1968, WICN has been a vital voice for arts and culture in Central Massachusetts, connecting […]
David Sanborn (1945–2024) was an iconic American alto saxophonist whose signature sound blended traditional jazz, instrumental pop, and R&B. Widely credited with bringing the saxophone back to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Sanborn carved out a genre-defying space that earned him a place among the most influential musicians of his era. After contracting polio at age […]
THT, 90.5 WICN Public Radio & the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District present the 8th Annual Jazz+ Live featuring Nicole Zuraitis Join us for a fabulous evening of music on August 22nd! The 8th Annual Jazz+ Live (formerly Jazz at Sunset) featuring Nicole Zuraitis. GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz vocalist, pianist and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis is redefining the genre […]
When you listen to a jazz vocalist for the first time, whether they have a local, national, or international reputation, chances are that you, as a listener, have both anticipation and expectation. As an avid listener with decades of experience, I know full well that, unlike instrumentalists, jazz vocalists cannot hide musically. Guitarists have block […]
Many exceptional jazz musicians who remain outside of wide commercial success, in some cases, have chosen an independent path to be away from the constant physical, emotional, and commercial demands of a touring lifestyle. One such musician, Shirley Horn, would define herself based on her own brilliant piano accompaniment and a remarkably expressive voice, as […]
Within the civil rights struggle against South Africa’s apartheid (1948-1994), the voice of protest had to take many forms. Musically, in representation of political protest, and bringing worldwide attention to racial and societal injustice, South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer Hugh Masekela has been described as “the father of South African jazz.” […]
Each jazz instrument has its history of legendary players. Think Miles on the trumpet; Coltrane on the sax; Monk at the piano. There are many such superb musicians who are universally revered for their craftsmanship and innovation. When it comes to jazz drummers, as well as a bandleader, Roy Haynes had an oversized reach of […]
Close friendships between jazz musicians don’t always translate to a combination that creates a chemistry and bond, professionally and personally. Yet in the case of David “Fathead” Newman and R&B giant and bandleader Ray Charles, their friendship connected them to a decade-long musical relationship from which the most seminal work of Charles’s career was recorded. Both […]
by Tom Lucci, Host, Standard Time, Mondays 3-6pm and WICN Board Member Nearly 500 enthusiastic jazz fans gathered at Jazz Congress 2025 on January 8 and 9 at the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex overlooking New York’s Central Park. Among them were yours truly, WICN Standard Time host Tom Lucci and Image Archivist Kofi Poku, […]
December 1, 2023: Evening Sky Band November 17th, 2023: Blueprint Jazz Club October 6th, 2023: Ricky Kole September 14th, 2023: Nick Noble’s 800th Show August 4th, 2023: Organ Fairchild July 14th, 2023 – Moshi Music A sound experience formed by 4 wanderers searching for peace through music. Formed in the basements of Boston, Moshi dives […]