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Smooth Jazz KWJZ in Seattle Goes Dark
 December 28, 2010 – There is no more Smooth Jazz in Seattle. As expected KWJZ, which has been broadcasting the Smooth Jazz format since 1993, switched formats yesterday (Dec 27th). According to ex-Program Director Carol Handley the biggest problem came with the new ratings system for radio. With the new Portable People Meter (PPM) the station went from No. 3 to No. 22. "The change in Arbitron measures has not been favorable to certain lifestyle-driven formats, including Smooth Jazz," said Handley.
The new format is The New Click 98.9, a modern adult contemporary format, plays a mix featuring Dave Matthews and Kings of Leon.
“This is an internet only format now,” says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now.com. “In fact it has been for a while and it is what it is and, really, anyone who says the format is strong is an idiot in search of a reality check.” Beaudin says not all Smooth Jazz fans immediately go online to replace their defunct terrestrial station many just find other formats to listen to, “That’s why the worldwide Smooth Jazz internet numbers are not more impressive but the good news is we usually get a spike of 5-10% in listener-ship when any particular station goes under.” Beaudin adds, “We have tons of listeners in Seattle so we expect to get many of those listeners. The same thing happened when KKSF went dark in San Francisco and WNUA in Chicago, many of those fans started listening to Smooth Jazz Now. – by Kari Graham
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Seattle's 8th annual Smooth Jazz festival
July 19, 2005 - KWJZ 98.9 in Seattle is featuring its 8th annual Smooth Jazz festival August 6th and 7th at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Artists performing include Steve Oliver, Kim Waters, Brian Culbertson, the Jazz Attack tour, David Lanz, Norman Brown, and the Summer Storm tour. Tickets are already sold out for the festival! - by Nick Langan
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Smooth Jazz Nominations from R&R Magazine
May 25, 2005 - They say that radio can sometimes be a thankless job but maybe "they" are talking to the wrong people. Radio and Records (R&R) magazine have announced nominations for the "Industry Achievement Awards" and Smooth Jazz personalities and programmers were well represented. Nominated for Program Director are KTWV's Paul Goldstein in Los Angeles; Bernie Kimble at WNWV in Cleveland, Blake Lawrence from WQCD in New York, Baltimore's Lori Lewis at WSMJ, Chicago's Steve Stiles at WNUA and our friend Mike Vasquez from KIFM in San Diego. More |
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Smooth Jazz Nominations from R&R Magazine
May 25, 2005 - They say that radio can sometimes be a thankless job but maybe "they" are talking to the wrong people. Radio and Records (R&R) magazine have announced nominations for the "Industry Achievement Awards" and Smooth Jazz personalities and programmers were well represented. Nominated for Program Director are KTWV's Paul Goldstein in Los Angeles; Bernie Kimble at WNWV in Cleveland, Blake Lawrence from WQCD in New York, Baltimore's Lori Lewis at WSMJ, Chicago's Steve Stiles at WNUA and our friend Mike Vasquez from KIFM in San Diego. More |
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Carol Handley of KWJZ Seattle - Behind the Mic For March
March 1, 2004 - A long time before we heard the Wave in Los Angeles, KKSF in San Francisco and WNUA in Chicago other Smooth Jazz pioneers were laying the groundwork for the format all over North America. Though not called Smooth Jazz in the early eighties Carol Handley was well versed in an earlier version of the format playing the artist that shaped it's sound. Handley introduced David Sanborn, Bob James, Earl Klugh, George Benson and Larry Carlton to many Seattle radio listeners back then and she's still doing it today. Handley is currently the Program Director and Mid Morning host at KWJZ in Seattle and she is our "Behind the Mic" subject this month. Read our interview. |
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May 1, 2012 - We live in a world where most instrumental music sounds like it was made for a 5x5 vertically moving room and that includes some Smooth Jazz. Interestingly, most Smooth Jazz musicians are technically some of the best players on the planet but many have fallen into this big vacuous hole, an amnesic state, where channelling Bert Kaempfert is common place. 
April 17, 2012 – Get ready for another beautiful journey from David Benoit on May 29th. His new album, `Conversation,’ will no doubt serve as another expansion for the Smooth Jazz format. 
April 26, 2012 - Norah Jones is set to appear with a Live-on-Letterman webcast, featuring Jones from the prestigious Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:00 ET. This is a clever, strategic move for Jones to push her next album “Little Broken Hearts” set for a May 1st release. 
April 4, 2012 – Esperanza Spalding is a groovy chick. I mean, really, when she’s in the room, everyone else disappears and I’m talkin’ more than that big “love-sculpture” hair. She’s the type of musician you might walk up to at a party, ask about her music, and walk away three hours later regretting the question. This lady has a vision so you better have a seat. 
February 21, 2012 - As it was stated during the Grammy Awards, "We've had a death in the family." Now our own Jazz family is remembeing Whitney Houston. 
February 21, 2012 - Shock, disappointment and horror are some of the many words fans used to describe Whitney Houston’s untimely death last week (February 11, 2012). My family and I were outside a Starbucks when one of our radio listeners texted me with, at first, the rumor. 
– Not many groups have stood the test of time like Airborne. Coming in around the time that the NAC format was really starting to cook, 1988, this outfit grew with every project, gig and album. Having just released their most powerful album yet, New Horizon’s, it looks like the world is ready for this, a full dose of positive, social conscious fusion. We sat down with the band to chat about all the twisting, yet beneficial roads taken. 
– The smart ones in life know that it’s not how you fall down in life that counts but how you get up. Zach Bandolin has had his fair share of topsy-turvy moments but the guitarist keeps swinging. 
- French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. 
October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk. 
– On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun
– There are not too many things in life as deliciously lazy as Michael Franks voice. The guy could chill out someone on deaths door. Seriously, angst has no place on a Michael Franks record – he’s good at one great thing..making you feel good! 
- Programming Smooth Jazz Radio has allowed me to discover talent over the decades and follow the twists and turns in their career. Such is the case of saxophonist Steve Cole an artist whom has played on numerous number #1 Smooth Jazz hits and been a regular spin on most smooth jazz radio stations play lists. 
– There’s always been an understated value to everything that Sade does and sameness to her entire repertoire. That quality of old wine has served the singer/band well… until now. Unlike Norah Jones who has, at least, tried to mix-up-the-pot, Sade really needs to stop wearing the same dress to every party. 
– Well, one things for sure, Mindi Abair is not shopping on Main Street anymore. As they say, “run away from the past and eventually it will run into you.” 
