Jazz Radio NYC c.1971 - call for info
Michael Goodman
Recently, listening to Mile's "Sid's Ahead" I started reminiscing about the tune's namesake, Sid Torin, aka
Symphony Sid, the jazz radio DJ. I used to listen to him in the early 70's when I was living in NYC. I seem to
remember that the tune "Jumpin at the Woodside" (Basie band, with Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross) was his theme,
and had some special connection with him. I forget what station he jockeyed for. Anyone know what his story was
and what happened to him? (By the way, Redmond, Mehldau, Roney, et al do a steamin' version of Sid's Ahead on
Warner Jams, Vol. 1. Mehldau's piano intro is seriously funky.)
Talking about jazz radio in NYC, anyone remember Ed Beach at the old WRVR? I heard somewhere that he was a
notorious lush around NYC, and was given the nickname Ed "The Fish" Beach. His knowledge of Jazz history (styles,
personalities, tunes) seemed staggering to me then. As a kid, my early education in Jazz consisted in lying awake
nights listening to him. Whatever happened to him? Whitney Balliet should do one of his trademark perfect-pitch
bios on him.
I also remember WLIB in NYC when it played straight-up jazz. And Columbia University radio, too. Pedantic, but
zealous. One summer they did a 2 or 3 day Charley Parker marathon---the complete recordings, with commentary! The
in-theme to one evening program was Charles Tolliver's band doing "On the Nile." Another program (I think it was
Columbia radio, too) used a lovely tune called "You Better Go Now" featuring Red Garland (from his Prestige album
"ROJO"). Fordham, as I recall, also broadcast good jazz back then.
As I write this, and think back to those days, it occurs to me that the jazz radio scene in NYC back then was
incredibly fertile. In comparison, jazz radio where I live, in Boston, is a wasteland. In fact, I've a mind to
write my own piece about it. So, consider this is a formal call for information about jazz radio in NYC c.
1970-1974. Facts about the DJ's, the stations and their histories and play list styles, etc. would be
appreciated.
Thanks,
Jack Woker
Michael Goodman wrote:
>
> Recently, listening to Miles's "Sid's Ahead" I started reminiscing about the tune's >namesake, Sid Torin, aka Symphony Sid, the jazz radio DJ. I used to listen to him in >the early 70's when I was living in NYC.
It seems to me that Miles has stated (perhaps in his book) that he hated
Symphony Sid, and that "Sid's Ahead" was written for (Chicago?) DJ Sid
Mark - it's basically a paraphrase of "Walkin'", anyway. Tadd Dameron's
"Sid's Delight" (written for Symphony Sid) was changed to "Tadd's
Delight" when Miles recorded it.
> Anyone know what his story was
> and what happened to him?
He spent his final years in Florida; died sometime in the late 70's.
> Talking about jazz radio in NYC, anyone remember Ed Beach at the old WRVR?
Ed Beach's shows were aired in Boston as well, originally on WBZ, I
think, and later repeated (for years!) on WBUR. Beach, for all his
mannerisms, was a great inspiration to me in my youth, and to this day
my own show is heavily influenced by his presentations.
>
> As I write this, and think back to those days, it occurs to me that the jazz radio >scene in NYC back then was incredibly fertile. In comparison, jazz radio where I live, >in Boston, is a wasteland. In fact, I've a mind to write my own piece about it.
I would hope that when you do, that you would at least talk to those of
us who are part of that Boston radio wasteland, and allow us to comment
on the jazz radio scene as it exists today, and offer some of our
opinions as to the why's and wherefore's!
jack
(WGBH - Jazz
Gallery)
Kirk 'Scrub' Wemple
Jack Woker wrote:
>
> Michael Goodman wrote:
> >
> > Recently, listening to Miles's "Sid's Ahead" I started reminiscing
As I write this, and think back to those days, it occurs to me that the
jazz radio scene in NYC back then was incredibly fertile. In comparison,
jazz radio where I live, in Boston, is a wasteland. In fact, I've a mind
to write my own piece about it.
I will be eagerly awaiting your piece. I moved to Boston four years ago
and find the jazz offerings on local radio exceptional. Jazz can be
found in abundance on college and public radio. I have found the radio
personalities to be a great source of information and have learned of
many local musicians I otherwise would not have known of. In my
opinion it is tough to absorb all there is to offer. I came from an
area that had relatively no radio jazz. Boston has spoiled me.
You must be a fastidious person.
Ronald Roberts
Kirk 'Scrub' Wemple wrote:
>
> Jack Woker wrote:
> >
> > Michael Goodman wrote:
> > >
> > > Recently, listening to Miles's "Sid's Ahead" I started reminiscing
>
> As I write this, and think back to those days, it occurs to me that the
> jazz radio scene in NYC back then was incredibly fertile. In comparison,
Agreed. In addition to Symphony Sid and Ed Beach, I recall Mort Fega
(WEVD?) in the mid-60s; Van Jay and Les Davis on WRVR in the early 70s;
and Ed Williams with his show "Maiden Voyage" in the late 60s. There
was music everywhere! Such fun and great music and memories.
--
Ron Roberts "I wish [bebop] had been given a name more
in keeping with the seriousness of purpose."
- Earl 'Bud' Powell
Bill Hery
In article <32F56D...@gis.net>, Michael Goodman <goo...@gis.net> wrote:
>Talking about jazz radio in NYC, anyone remember Ed Beach at the old WRVR? I heard somewhere that he was a
>notorious lush around NYC, and was given the nickname Ed "The Fish" Beach. His knowledge of Jazz history (styles,
>personalities, tunes) seemed staggering to me then. As a kid, my early education in Jazz consisted in lying awake
>nights listening to him. Whatever happened to him? Whitney Balliet should do one of his trademark perfect-pitch
>bios on him.
Loren Schoenberg (a longtime contributor to WKCR, the Columbia U
station) posted about Ed Beach here a few months ago. I believe he is living
somewhere in the northwest now. Loren was in contact with him. I also
got an early education in jazz from his daily 1.5 hour shows on single
artists. But I realize now that his interests (and shows) did not go
into the then stellar avant garde scene in NY (I listened toim inthe
mid 60s).
Beach, as well as Father Norman O'Conner and a third DJ (Satruday
afternoons only) were on WRVR when it was owned by Riverside Church.
It was later sold to a comercial radio station and had a full time
jazz policy for a while, then switched to C&W.
>I also remember WLIB in NYC when it played straight-up jazz. And Columbia University radio, too. Pedantic, but
WLIB had Ed Williams (noon til 4 PM), Dr. Billy Taylor (4 to 7 PM) and
Del Shields (7 to midnight, when they went off the air) in the late
60s. They later became WBLS and dropped jazz.
>zealous. One summer they did a 2 or 3 day Charley Parker marathon---the complete recordings, with commentary! The
>in-theme to one evening program was Charles Tolliver's band doing "On the Nile." Another program (I think it was
>Columbia radio, too) used a lovely tune called "You Better Go Now" featuring Red Garland (from his Prestige album
>"ROJO"). Fordham, as I recall, also broadcast good jazz back then.
WKCR is even better now. They do marathons every year or so, and about
a dozen "birthday specials" when they devote a day or two to an
artist's recordings. They did a complete chronology of Don Cherry a
few years ago (including sidman gigs and "private recordings") and it
took about 7 days.
>As I write this, and think back to those days, it occurs to me that the jazz radio scene in NYC back then was
>incredibly fertile. In comparison, jazz radio where I live, in Boston, is a wasteland. In fact, I've a mind to
>write my own piece about it. So, consider this is a formal call for information about jazz radio in NYC c.
>1970-1974. Facts about the DJ's, the stations and their histories and play list styles, etc. would be
>appreciated.
One of the best DJs back then (or maybe a bit earlier) was Mort Fega
(announcer on Miles Philharmnoic Hall recordings). He drifted from
station to station with a great ovenight show. I heard he was in
Arizona in the late 70s.
Send me a phone number and I'd love to talk to youabout all these DJs.
Bill Hery
Bell Labs, Whippany NJ
he...@bell-labs.com
Charles Martin in Hong Kong
On Sun, 02 Feb 1997 20:46:09 -0800, Michael Goodman <goo...@gis.net>
wrote:
Yes! RVR was a very good station, and Beach was the best of the
presenters there (others included Max Cole, who went to do classical
with NCN). The station became a country and western station. Bleah.
Anyway, I'm sorry if Ed Beach is in dire straits, because he had
a real flair for jazz broadcasting. Knew all the personnel, did
portraits of musicians well-known and obscure, and in general made
life in New York tolerable during the rough years of the '70's
> And Columbia University radio, too. Pedantic, but >zealous.
They haven't changed. Last summer they were still doing their Saturday
Morning Charlie Parker show -- who else does that every week?
Unfortunately, PHil Schaap was still there (isn't he old to be doing
college radio?) talking, talking, talking.....
They also do regular marathons (all of Jack Teagarden, All or Ornette
Coleman, 24 hours a day). Kind of nuts, but it's fun to have them
around.
I don't think there's a real full-time professional jazz station in
NYC anymore, is there? A disgrace.
o--------=| Charles Martin |=---o
MediaSeven
It's nice to see someone who has the same opionion I do about Phil Schaap.
If I wanted an education I would enroll in college again. I hate pedantic
radio.
As for WLIB, no one has yet mentioned Billy Taylor's great program. I
still recall being in high school when Martin Luther King was killed, and
listening to Billy play Donald Byrd's Christo Redentor over and over
again. It was absolutely great radio.It's sad what happened to WLIB. It is
a disgrace that NY doesn't have a jazz station. WBGO has an indifferent
signal, and you practically need a program guide to remember when KCR is
playing jazz. And it's also a disgrace that WBAI plays practically no jazz
at all. Their music programming is a disgrace in itself.
john motavalli
David Fleiss
cpma...@iohk.com (Charles Martin in Hong Kong) wrote:
>> And Columbia University radio, too. Pedantic, but zealous.
>
>They haven't changed. Last summer they were still doing their Saturday
>Morning Charlie Parker show -- who else does that every week?
>Unfortunately, PHil Schaap was still there (isn't he old to be doing
>college radio?) talking, talking, talking.....
"Bird Flight," the world's longest-running Charlie Parker program,
airs _weekday_ mornings on WKCR. If you heard Phil on Saturday, it
might have been "Traditions in Swing." As for Phil's style, some love
him and some hate him (I fall into the former camp).
>I don't think there's a real full-time professional jazz station in
>NYC anymore, is there? A disgrace.
Next time you're in town, try WBGO, 88.3 FM. Technically they're in
Newark, New Jersey, but they're the closest thing that New York has to
a full-time jazz station. I prefer the programming on WKCR myself
(it's usually -- but not always -- more traditional), but WKCR only
plays jazz about nine hours a day.
David Fleiss
work: dfl...@kpmg.com
home: dfl...@pipeline.com
"Through our scientific genius, we have made this world a neighborhood. Now, through our moral and spiritual development, we must make of it a brotherhood." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jack Regan
Michael Goodman <goo...@gis.net> wrote:
>Talking about jazz radio in NYC,
How about the free-form wackos at Upsala College's WFMU back around
1969? Some of them moved on to commercial radio in NYC.
Michael Cuscuna's morning show on WABC-FM (later WPLJ) was usually a
treat, too, and occasionally featured some jazz and blues heavy
hitters.
MediaSeven
I've never figured out why WFMU is so acclaimed. The station goes out of
its way to play obscure music, as if that was a virtue in itself, and
never plays jazz that I've ever heard. A far better college station is
WPKN-FM in Bridgeport, CT (89.5) which doesn't reach the city but is
widely listened to on Long Island. They play a lot of jazz, and I used to
do a jazz show there.
john motavalli
EARTHJUICE
Michael Goodman wrote:
> Talking about jazz radio in NYC, anyone remember Ed Beach at the old WRVR? I heard somewhere that he was a
> notorious lush around NYC, and was given the nickname Ed "The Fish" Beach. His knowledge of Jazz history (styles,
> personalities, tunes) seemed staggering to me then. As a kid, my early education in Jazz consisted in lying awake
> nights listening to him. Whatever happened to him? Whitney Balliet should do one of his trademark perfect-pitch
> bios on him.
>
Michael Goodman wrote:
> Talking about jazz radio in NYC, anyone remember Ed Beach at the old WRVR? I heard somewhere that he was a
> notorious lush around NYC, and was given the nickname Ed "The Fish" Beach. His knowledge of Jazz history (styles,
> personalities, tunes) seemed staggering to me then. As a kid, my early education in Jazz consisted in lying awake
> nights listening to him. Whatever happened to him?
I sure as hell remember the old WRVR FM in NY back in the 70's !!
It was one great radio station. Wasn't Ed Beach the morning man at some
point as well ??
I can recall hearing "A Love Supreme" for the very first time while
driving down the Belt Parkway on a saturday afternoon while listening to
WRVR.......
--
****A New Black Music History Resource On The Net - In Sights, Sounds &
Words****
http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/
EARTHJUICE
MediaSeven wrote:
> As for WLIB, no one has yet mentioned Billy Taylor's great program. I
> still recall being in high school when Martin Luther King was killed, and
> listening to Billy play Donald Byrd's Christo Redentor over and over
> again. It was absolutely great radio.It's sad what happened to WLIB.
I remember this as well, that melody still haunts me !!
:)
I liked WLIB/WBLS (Black Liberation Station) in the 1970's. True they
stopped playing Jazz fulltime, but they kept it in the mix, which
allowed people such as myself to move up the dial during the comercials
to check out WRVR !!
>
> I don't think there's a real full-time professional jazz station in
> NYC anymore, is there? A disgrace.
Awwww comme on ....WBGO isn't half bad !!
--
****A New Black History Resource On The Net - In Sights, Sounds &
Words****
http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/
Ellery Eskelin
MediaSeven wrote:
> I've never figured out why WFMU is so acclaimed. The station goes out of
> its way to play obscure music, as if that was a virtue in itself, and
> never plays jazz that I've ever heard.
WFMU generally plays music that you're not likely to hear anywhere else on the dial.
Much of it is obscure but perhaps when we consider what the rest of radio is doing
obscure becomes quite a relative term.
I've been a devout fan for the last few years. They do in fact play jazz although
it's almost impossible to predict when since it is after all a free-form station.
A few DJs do seem to play a bit more jazz from time to time, Doug Schulkind for
example has a show called "Give the Drummer Some" on Fridays 9am to noon. There's
also a show on Tuesdays 3pm to 6pm DJ'd by a woman named Donna.
Hardcore jazz fans may not be able to stand a lot of what is played on the station
but I find the eclecticism to be pretty stimulating. They adhere to no genre
distinctions in general. The record library goes from A to Z...that's it. You never
know what to expect next and that lack of context really makes one hear music with
open ears.
Ellery Eskelin
Jay Abrams
WBGO is having their annual membership drive as we speak. Try to support
it. The signal strength isn't that great where I live but the station is
all we've got (I don't count CD 101.9)
Jay
Joshua Parkhurst
Although located in Newark, NJ, New Yorkers can catch REAL JAZZ, ALL
THE TIME at 88.3 FM WBGO. One of the best stations in the country,
this place is a hidden gem.
Their actually doing their fund-raising drive right now. They're
competing against KLON in Long Beach, seeing who can raise
$500,000.00 the first.
I strongly suggest tuning in. Jazz radio is alive and well in the big apple!
Josh
Michael Parker
Funny to see the call letters WFMU, I went to Upsala for a year and was the
only black dj back in 1972. The format was rock & roll and here I come playing
jazz and blues, 12mid to 3am Wed nights and 2pm to 5pm on Saturdays. I was the
1st show on Sat and would come on the air with Hendrix's Star Spangle Banner.
The staton manager insisted I play a rock tune every two to three songs.
So you can imagine hearing Led Zep followed by Roland Kirk.
Great stuff, radio ain't like that anymore!
--
Michael J. Parker
Hewlett Packard
Open Systems Software Division
System Programs and Services Lab
mich...@cup.hp.com
1-447-7455
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"If 6 turned out to be 9, I must have jazz on my mind"