WJCT Jazz Festival this weekend

WJCT today announced Jazz Festival Weekend on the Jacksonville Music Experience (JME), which will run through Memorial Day Weekend (May 21-24, 2020), the traditional dates of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jazz Festival Weekend will feature music from some of the biggest names in jazz across WJCT’s television, radio and online platforms. The virtual event will kick off with “Music Thursdays” on WJCT-TV, with programming that showcases performances by a roster of international jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and many others in prime time.

Additional programming will include:
-       Jazz on Electro Lounge Radio (89.9FM HD4, online, and the WJCT app) 24 hours a day from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24, with live recorded performances at the top of each hour from jazz festivals from around the world featuring jazz legends Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, and many more.
-       Jazz on WJCT 89.9 FM (online, and the WJCT app) on Saturday, May 23 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
-       Live local jazz on the Jacksonville Music Experience Facebook group , featuring Northeast Florida artists Chris Thomas Band, Mama Blue, JB Scott and the Lisa Kelly Quintet, and more.  The full schedule of programming for Jazz Festival Weekend on the Jacksonville Music Experience.

“Jazz Festival Weekend is our way of providing jazz fans with the opportunity to enjoy the tradition of great music over the Memorial Day weekend, through a virtual experience,” said David Luckin, Music Director of WJCT.  “We hope this programming through the Jacksonville Music Experience will bring a sense of normalcy and joy to listeners across the First Coast and beyond.”

“Jazz is an integral part of Jacksonville’s cultural identity.  We appreciate WJCT providing this resource to the community, and look forward to safely celebrating this tradition in person in 2021,” said Ryan Ali, Chief of Sports and Entertainment for the City of Jacksonville.

About WJCT: WJCT is the community-owned and operated public media organization serving Jacksonville and the First Coast since 1958, using television, radio, digital media, and live events to help community members learn, share, and grow.  For more information on WJCT’s in-depth programming content, log on to WJCT Online.  Like WJCT on Facebook and follow WJCT on Twitter (@WJCTJax) and Instagram (@WJCTJax).

About The Jacksonville Music Experience (JME): The Jacksonville Music Experience (JME) is a multi-platform collection of services, providing music fans in Northeast Florida and beyond with a variety of ways to enjoy their favorite artists and discover new genres on air, online, on demand and in person.  For more information on the elements included on the Jacksonville Music Experience from WJCT, visit wjct.org/jaxmusic and join the JME Facebook group.

WJCT Launches the Jacksonville Music Experience

WJCT has announced the launch of the Jacksonville Music Experience, a new multi-platform collection of services, on April 16, 2020 — the inaugural Public Radio Music Day, designated by Congressional Resolutions to recognize the role that local, noncommercial, nonprofit, public radio stations play in connecting artists with communities around the nation.

Through the Jacksonville Music Experience (wjct.org/jaxmusic), WJCT provides music fans in Northeast Florida and beyond with a variety of ways to enjoy their favorite artists and discover new genres on the air, online, on demand and in person. Elements of the Jacksonville Music Experience include:
New Radio Stations Available 24/7: All available at wjct.org and on the WJCT app:
Classical 24® from American Public Media (89.9 HD2) Anthology a hand-curated playlist of music from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s (89.9 HD3).
Electro Lounge Radio expands WJCT’s flagship music program into a full station of relaxing, downtempo and chillout music (89.9 HD4); also available through Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
Music Thursdays on WJCT-TV: Every Thursday starting at 8 p.m., WJCT-TV broadcasts a curated selection of music programming from PBS, ranging from live concert performances including legendary musicians like Billie Eilish, documentaries like “Country Music” by Ken Burns, series like Austin City Limits, in-depth interviews with artists and more.
Studio 5 Sessions:Following a format similar to NPR Music’s Tiny Desk concert series, Studio 5 Sessions features Northeast Florida artists performing some of their most popular works from WJCT’s very own Studio 5.
The VOIDCAST Podcast: In partnership with Void Magazine, this podcast explores the past and present of music history in Northeast Florida with the help of local musicians, producers and the people who lived through it.  Hosted by Void Magazine Editor Matt Shaw and produced by WJCT’s Special Projects Producer, Lindsey Kilbride, VOIDCAST’s three episodes feature the Allman Brothers Band’s formative period in Jacksonville; locals making music alone in their bedrooms — including one who scored a big record deal; and women and queer people claiming their space in the Northeast Florida hip-hop scene.  All three episodes are available for download on all major podcast platforms.
Live Performances at the WJCT Virtual Soundstage: The WJCT Virtual Soundstage allows music lovers to experience live performances from artists all over Northeast Florida without ever leaving their house.  Performances from local artists like Taylor Roberts, Junco Royals and Luke Peacock were scheduled at 7 p.m. that started April 16th. in celebration of the launch.  For information about scheduled performances, join the JME Facebook Group
Live Performances at the WJCT Soundstage: The WJCT Soundstage provides a unique setting for music fans to experience live performances by regional and national touring artists. Now on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, recent WJCT Soundstage events included performances by The Rippingtons, Mindo Abair and the Boneshakers, Jesse Cook, and comedian Paula Poundstone.  Details about upcoming performances will be posted as they are available.  For more information, visit wjct.org/jaxmusic.

“Jacksonville has such a vibrant music scene and we want to support it and be part of it in every way we can” said David McGowan, President and CEO of WJCT.  “The launch of the Jacksonville Music Experience is a significant expansion of our locally curated and produced music services, and provides a compelling alternative to the algorithms and tiny playlists of today’s commecial radio.  It also makes for a great way to discover music and artists alongside Spotify and other digital services.”

About WJCT: WJCT is the community-owned and operated public media organization serving Jacksonville and the First Coast since 1958, using television, radio, digital media, and live events to help community members learn, share, and grow.  For more information on WJCT’s in-depth programming content, log on to WJCT Online at wjct.org.  Like WJCT on Facebook (facebook.com/wjctjax) and follow WJCT on Twitter (@WJCTJax) and Instagram (@WJCTJax).

About Public Radio Music Day: Public Radio Music Day is hosted by the noncomMUSIC Alliance and its partners.  The noncomMUSIC Alliance celebrates nonprofit, local public radio’s role in connecting artists with the communities who enjoy and support their music.  Established in 2018, the Alliance currently has nearly 150 partner public radio music stations, all locally owned and operated, yet united by their shared values of music discovery, curation, preservation, performance, and community.  To learn more about the noncomMUSIC Alliance, please visit noncomMUSIC.org.