Jacksonville, Fla. — April 18, 2024 — WJCT Public Media and the Jacksonville Music Experience present Jazz in Jax: An Evening of Discussion and Music Celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month on the WJCT Soundstage on Saturday, April 27, from 6-9 pm. Jazz in Jax features a panel discussion and a live jazz-jam performance led by Jacksonville-bred, Grammy Award-winning musician and educator Ulysses Owens, Jr. The panel discussion, led by Owens, Jr., will delve into various topics and illuminate the history and contemporary vibrancy of jazz, the true American art form, in Jacksonville and beyond.
The event coincides with the premiere of Jazz Beyond Tradition, a new two-hour program hosted by Owens, Jr., and award-winning radio and podcast personality Keanna Faircloth (NPR Music, WBGO, Artimacy Podcast). The program airs on Sunday nights on WJCT News 89.9 from April 21 to May 26.
Additional panelists include Faircloth; JME contributor, artist, and DJ Mr. Al Pete; local jazz promoters Cara Murphy (venue operator at Blue Jay Listening Room); Yhang Quintero (owner/operator of Wildcrafters); Jeanetta Cebollero (musician and director of Bites, Bubbles and Jazz); Josh Floyd (owner of Josephine and founder of the Lounge Series); and local jazz musician Tracy Morris. Full bios are below.
“Ulysses is a powerhouse musician who exemplifies what it means to take jazz beyond tradition,” says Faircloth of her Jazz Beyond Tradition co-host, whose new album, A New Beat, has, as of press time, enjoyed the top spot on the Jazz Week charts for eight consecutive weeks. “Ulysses’ music and mission has been to carry on the jazz tradition while looking ahead to the future, literally taking the next generation of musicians along for the ride. He's also a well-respected native of Jacksonville who serves the community through his talent.”
“Keanna is the Queen of jazz radio, in my humble opinion, because she loves and lives for the music and the culture wholeheartedly,” says Owens, Jr. “She has been on the air successfully for over two decades and understands what the listeners need from the music. She is an ambassador for the present and future of jazz radio, anchored in the tradition. We are super fortunate to have someone with her national reach working with us at WJCT.”
Event Schedule
6:00 pm – Doors open
6:00-6:30 pm – Reception (cash bar, food truck), performance by UNF Jazz Trio led by Pablo Duque.
6:30-7:30 pm – Panel discussion and audience Q&A
7:30-9:00 pm – Jazz Jam hosted by Ulysses Owens, Jr.