Marty Friedman / Host
Marty Friedman shows
Born in the Bronx, New York, Marty Friedman has loved jazz since he was 17. “I was at the New York Public Library looking through the LPs, realizing that I had already borrowed all the rock albums of interest. So I decided to branch out. That’s when I saw a two-LP set on Prestige called The Hawk Flies. It had a really cool picture on the cover, but it was the Bean’s music that really grabbed me.”
In college at the City University of New York, Marty ran the Arts Department at the school newspaper and was able to meet and interview various jazz musicians and record producers in the New York area. Today, as an amateur guitarist, Marty jams with friends at parties and the occasional informal gig. “Doing the Sunday Jazz Brunch is a real thrill because it keeps me current with the latest releases and allows me to share my passion for music with the listeners.”
Email: marty@wicn.org
5 Questions with Marty Friedman
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!
You may also like
Eric Gratton was born in Worcester and raised in Brookfield. A lover of classical music since 3rd grade, Eric has had an active role in classical music since high school, singing in all the choirs and performing in the local musicals at Tantasqua. After attending his first year of college at Salem State University, Eric […]
THIERNO CAMARA Born in Senegal, West Africa, Thierno Camara studied classical piano and flute as a child, which led him to play piano in an American pop band called Laser. At age 15, Thierno put his own Afro-pop band together and began his songwriting career. When the bassist of his group left the band, Thierno […]
Nikki Erskine is the co-host of “Culture Beat” on WICN, sharing tips and insights on the arts and cultural scene throughout Greater Worcester, including ways in which you can participate and support various artists, organizations, and institutions.