Sept. 4, 2001

GW Presents Capital Jazz

University Expands Presence On The Dial With New Program

By Matthew Nehmer

GW’s presence on the radio dial expands this month with the launch of “GW Presents Capital Jazz,” a new show that will blend the best of recorded jazz with performances from the Duke Ellington School of Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and GW. WRC-AM 1260 will air the program on Sundays from 11 am — noon starting Sept. 9.

The idea for the show started with Vice President for Communications Michael Freedman, who wanted to foster hands-on opportunities for GW students to help produce on-air programming. To this end, he began negotiations with Clear Channel Communications on a partnership for airtime on Sunday mornings.

“We are always looking for new ways to give our students some real-world experiences and while we have a terrific student radio station, WRGW, there has not been an opportunity for students to participate in a real broadcast over the airwaves,” says Freedman, who is a former general manager of CBS Radio Network. “Similarly, there has not been a broadcast outlet to showcase GW music students who participate in the jazz band and other groups.”

Bringing jazz back to metro area radio was another motivating factor for Freedman. “We saw an opportunity to deliver to Washington area listeners a real cultural/community radio program that celebrates the District of Columbia as one of the true homes of traditional jazz,” Freedman says. “So, it’s another way for GW to contribute to the community that we are so much a part of.”

Helping with this endeavor will be the show’s host, Dick Golden. Based at the CBS affiliate in Hyannis, MA, Golden currently hosts the WOCN live morning show and its three-hour evening program, “Nightlights.” A veteran of the radio business for more than 30 years, Golden has been described by his colleagues as “a walking encyclopedia of American popular song.” In 2000 he produced “Satchmo: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, The Centennial Radio Project,” commemorating Louis Armstrong’s 100th birthday. The series of programs aired on NPR. In addition to working with both GW and Duke Ellington students, Golden will also conduct interviews with jazz greats and local talent. The John F. Kennedy Center’s association is the result of its partnership with GW in helping guide the success of the Duke Ellington School.

The new show will be the second part of a two-hour block of GW-produced programming. Preceding “Capital Jazz” will be “The GW Washington Forum” in its new time slot from 10–11 am. Launched in 1997, the Forum is a weekly public affairs show featuring University experts talking about issues of the day. In addition to maintaining GW’s presence on the radio dial, the Forum allows seasoned veterans and relative newcomers alike a chance to practice and refine their on-air abilities. Many guests go on other shows and speak to national media organizations. Recent shows include professors Timothy McCafferey and Kenneth Schaffner discussing stem cell research and Professor of Law Lawrence Mitchell talking about his new book, “Corporate Irresponsibility.”

Richard Sheehe, director of media services for the GW Medical Center, will continue hosting the show, a duty he has performed since 1998. The Forum is produced by the University’s Office of Media Relations — and beginning this fall students will have more involvement in the show’s production.

As for the future, Freedman hopes to secure grant money for expansion — even as far as making “GW Presents Capital Jazz” a nationally-syndicated show.

“We’re starting very small,” says Freedman, “but we’ll be on the air with a cultural/community radio program that celebrates Washington’s jazz roots and the talents of young people now following in the footsteps of DC native son Duke Ellington.”

 

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