KPR, Jazz Station of the Year

The groove of KU's own Kansas Public Radio (KPR) caught the attention and praise of national Jazz aficionados and industry experts. The station earned top honors in JazzWeek magazine's annual awards taking the title of ‘Jazz Station of the Year' in the small-market division.

"Listeners to Kansas Public Radio are fortunate to have a station committed to jazz," said JazzWeek Editor Ed Trefzger. "Jazz radio is losing ground in some parts of the country, even in a city like Chicago, a great jazz town. It's important that listeners continue to show their support to KPR's nightly jazz programming."

JazzWeek, a weekly publication, publishes the only national jazz radio airplay chart and comprehensive smooth jazz singles and album airplay charts. Readers submitted nominations, and the top five nominees in each category comprised the ballot.

"It's a great honor to be chosen for this award by one's peers in the world of jazz broadcasting," said Bob McWilliams, jazz director at KPR. "Not only do we have a great history of jazz programming, thanks to the likes of the late Dick Wright, Bob Hammond and Michael Maher, but this shows that we are at the forefront of jazz radio in the 21st century, playing great young artists that are the future of jazz and broadcasting concerts from our own KPR live performance studio."

The 54-year-old campus fixture moved to a new facility in 2003 and broadcasts northwest of Memorial Stadium. Its jazz lineup includes:

— "Jazz in the Night," hosted by McWilliams, 9 p.m. to midnight weekdays. The program features a blend of new jazz releases and great music from throughout the history of jazz.
— "The Jazz Scene," hosted by David Basse, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Basse is a longtime fixture on Kansas City jazz stages known for his rapport with artists, his interviews and his focus on the area's jazz happenings.
— "Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland," 9 p.m. Wednesdays.
— "Jazz with Bob Parlocha," nightly at 9 p.m.
— "The Retro Cocktail Hour," hosted by Darrell Brogdon, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturdays.

Listen Live
Tune into KPR online or in Lawrence on 91.5 FM, in Emporia on 89.7 FM, in Olsburg Junction City on 89.9 FM or in Atchison on 89.9 FM.