KKSF Signs Off, Huge Loss For San Francisco
May 20, 2009 – One of the most popular Smooth Jazz stations on the planet flipped formats on Monday (May 18, 2009). KKSF in San Francisco changed to “the Band,” a classic rock format.

Some say it’s another nail in the Smooth Jazz coffin while others are saying the casket is already lowered. “This is just another sign that this format has imploded on itself,” says Smooth Jazz Now owner John Beaudin. “On a good day I can tell one artist from another but that’s usually not the case,” he said.

Beaudin adds, “I have so many tapes of KKSF from the 80’s and early 90’s when the station played innovative tunes that were devoid of the generic groove that’s taken it over now. I think some of the programmers and Broadcast Architecture (the main Smooth Jazz consultants) steered this ship in a completely wrong direction. Really whose bright idea was it to go with funk and groove? Sure, let’s go with something without melody, because that’s where this format has been for the last 10 years.”

Recently the trade publication R&R stopped highlighting the Smooth Jazz format and gave Carol Archer, one of the formats biggest cheerleaders, her walking papers.

“I think it will be rebuilt” say Beaudin. “Not KKSF maybe but I think it needs be rebuilt from the ground up. When I left Cal 103 in Calgary as the Program Director I told myself that I would never work in this format on radio again if it stayed with groove, I can’t stand that side of it.”

"I think Broadcast Architecture saved the format years ago when they brought in thier way of testing music and a hits format. I don't think it would have lasted this long without them" says Beaudin. "But somewhere down the line every Smooth Jazz station started airing all thier programs, Smooth Jazz musician were taking jobs away from real announcer and too many stations played the same songs. When too many shows are canned and done by musicians from across the country the local content and feel of a show really suffers. This used to be a mood format now it's anything but that. I think if Broadcast Architecture does some good research a long with station owners maybe they can build it into something fresh again."

Beaudin adds, “This is the end of a great era in San Francisco with KKSF leaving. I have fond memories of talking to the on-air staff through the years, most notably former afternoon drive host Ray White. He told me stories of great energy in the place while he worked there.”

 So what’s next for Smooth Jazz? “I hope WNUA in Chicago stays afloat,” says Beaudin. “I’ve heard rumors but I hope they stick with it because all the internet radio stations I’ve heard doing Smooth Jazz are simply terrible. I certainly don’t want it to be left to them. I think there’s such a payola problem on the internet with some stations. I think some internet radio stations are saying advertise with us and we will play you and that’s what waters down the product even more. Let’s hope The Wave in LA stays on board and KWJZ in Seattle and KIFM in San Diego. Give them time to work it out and refresh things. Trust me I want it to evolve, I run one of the largest Smooth Jazz sites on the planet and I’m co-chair and co-creator of the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards – I want the format to succeed but I won’t be a cheerleader to something I don’t believe in. So bring back a little New Age in the mix and burn the Groove!”

Read the letter sent by KKSF below. – by Kari Graham

May 18, 2009

Today marks the end of an era. KKSF-FM is no longer the Bay Area's home for Smooth Jazz.

Everyone at KKSF would like to thank all the loyal fans of our station and the years of support you've given us. Over our 20 year history, you have always been there for us, and we truly appreciate it. You've traveled to our hundreds of KKSF listener parties and concerts, celebrated at our Sunday Brunches, helped raise over 4 million dollars for Bay Area AIDS organizations by purchasing Samplers for AIDS Relief, and you've listened to countless hours of Smooth Jazz music and artists. That unwavering support is reflected in a rich and successful track record at 103.7 KKSF.

The spirit of KKSF isn't going away, however. KKSF.com will continue to thrive as your source for Smooth Jazz including a digital audio stream of the Smooth Jazz Network as well as videos on demand, concert listings and other features. We hope you'll choose to continue to support the artists and the music online.

While this decision was extremely difficult, KKSF is taking a different path and becoming a new radio station today -- 103.7 The Band. It was made only after exhaustive market research, and extensive economic considerations (yes this is a business). We hope you'll listen and let us know what you think.

Please take a moment and share your thoughts and questions here on the site. We will be updating information regularly and encourage your feedback.

Maria Lopez Comes Back to KKSF San Francisco
April 24, 2007 - Who says you can't come home again? Maria Lopez is coming back to Clear Channel's KKSF San Francisco to host her old evening day part on "Lights Out San Francisco" Lopez who's first on air job was as a newscaster at K101 in San Francisco first joined KKSF in 1992. KKSF Program Director Ken Jones told Carol Archer of R&R, "Maria Lopez has always been one of my favourite voices, and favourite people, in the format. She's been away from KKSF for far too long. I can't wait to hear her say these words again: 'Hi, this is Maria Lopez, and you're listening to Lights Out San Francisco, on KKSF 103.7.' What a pleasure it is to welcome her back." Since her exit to KKSF Lopez has been a busy bee - she currently voicetracks shows on KSSJ/Sacramento, WJZZ/Atlanta, KJZY/Santa Rosa and KRVR (the River)/Modesto. - by John Rolph

Smooth Jazz Network Shakes up the format
December 8, 2006 - If you like Smooth Jazz radio you're bound to hear more from Dave Koz in the New Year. Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network may replace many well-known announcers in the format with personalities like Koz and Ramsey Lewis. So far Cliff Smith of KYOT/Phoenix, Ray White and Timothy Alexander White of KKSF/San Francisco have lost their jobs. Smith will be replaced by former afternoon drive host Tony Evans whose position is now being filled by Koz. In San Francisco long-time afternoon host Koz will also replace Ray White and night host Timothy Alexander White loses his job for Annie Ashe of the Smooth Jazz Network. Koz has also been announced to host the afternoons at WNUA Chicago. Former afternoon drive host Danae Alexander will be moved back to evenings. Expect more announcements soon.

Broadway Plaza Summer Jazz series
July 19, 2005 - KKSF 103.7 in San Francisco is sponsoring the Broadway Plaza Summer Jazz series, running on Thursdays at 6:30 PM throughout July, and admission is free. Artists performing include Nils, 3rd Force, and Marion Meadows. For more details, visit www.broadwayplaza.com. - by Nick Langan

KKSF's Ray White - Behind the Mic
April 1, 2004 - Ray White of KKSF in San Francisco has a similar profile to most of his listeners. He appreciates Smooth Jazz but also knows good old fashioned Rock'n Roll, it's planted firmly in his history. The difference of course is Ray White was a music fan working from the inside. Long time before his Smooth Jazz days White was introducing New Yorkers to the Clash and U2 so it was no surprise to us that we would chat about everything leading up to Smooth Jazz and then some. Ray White is our 'Behind the Mic' broadcaster for April. We talked to Ray via phone on March 27, 2004 from his home in San Francisco. Read the interview