The Calgary Breeze Launch (Aug, 2002 )

Calgary's New Breeze Blows into Town
The highly anticipated launch of Canada's 2nd Smooth Jazz station "The Breeze" went off without a hitch on Friday (Aug 30/02) in Calgary. As promised the station officially went on-air at 1:03 PM (a reference to the frequency) with a mix they call New Adult Contemporary(NAC) - sort of a more commercial version of the U.S. Smooth Jazz market.

Remember NAC was the moniker used for the format before a listener came up with the"Smooth Jazz" tag during a session with consultant Broadcast Architecture. Calgary vocalist Jann Arden and Mayor Dave Bronconnier (both left) were on hand to press the button to officially launch what should be a successful new radio station.
The produced intro opened with the sound of the wind and a calming voice saying, "listen to what just blew into town" and "it's like a breathe of fresh clean air." Now when Calgary wants the smoothest, coolest, brightest music to soothe the soul and excite the senses Calgary's got 'The Breeze.' The music mix ranges from Sade's Smooth Operator to Dave Brubeck's Take Five.

The on-air staff was also announced and Smooth Jazz Now's own John Beaudin will handle the drive home shift from 2-7pm. The morning crew (right) consists of Cliff Dumas (far left) a multi-award winning broadcaster who has hosted mornings for over twenty years. Co-host Sue Deyell (right) who recently had gigs in Ontario and New Brunswick. Hal Gardiner is a well known name in Calgary and he will handle news in the morning and is The Breeze' News Director. Deanna Nason has the always important mid-day slot. "Dee" as she likes to be called spent most of her broadcasting years in Toronto. Brenda Neufled who recently worked for TV's A channel in Calgary will do afternoon news and traffic. Brenda started her broadcasting career in Saskatchewan and moved to Calgary in 1993.

This long weekend 'The Breeze' is running their full music mix with liners from the on-air staff commercial free. Starting Tuesday Sept 3/02 at 5:30AM morning man Cliff Dumas will have the first official shift on the radio station.

check out the first official press release from The Breeze
check out the launch day press release from The Breeze

Check out the pictures from the opening launch party