A
aquamaniac2
Guest
Chuck Workman is back on the air...with the saturday evening jazz show on WICR. It's great to have Chuck back on the air, he's always been one of the biggest champions of not only jazz music but the entire cultural scene in Indy. Hope the show is a big hit...he'll be a nice fit with "The Diamond" as well. Haven't seen much press on this yet..but by chance I happened upon this release from the University of Indianapolis.
Jazz host Workman brings show to WICR-FM
A voice that has rallied central Indiana jazz fans for more than 30 years is coming this week to University of Indianapolis radio station WICR-FM 88.7.
Host Chuck Workman will debut his new weekly program, the aptly titled Saturday Evening Jazz Show, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 1.
“I’m excited to get back to public radio,” said Workman, who hosted Journey Into Jazz throughout the 1970s and ‘80s on public station WIAN-FM. “It’s sort of like a homecoming.”
More recently, Workman hosted The Sunday Morning Jazz Show for 19 years on WTPI-FM, but that run ended in October when the station dropped its “smooth jazz” format.
Although Workman’s WTPI show primarily featured contemporary, pop-oriented artists, the new show on WICR – also known as “The Diamond” – will shift the focus to the many branches of classic and progressive jazz that make the genre an art form and an important cultural force.
“We’re flipping it over,” Workman said of his format. “Everybody knows where my heart is. I believe in the art of jazz.”
The Saturday Evening Jazz Show, which will replace a syndicated program, continues WICR’s movement toward locally produced, non-network jazz and classical programming. General Manager Scott Uecker said Workman’s vast knowledge of jazz and his connections in the local music community will be tremendous assets.
“We’re understandably excited about having one of the foremost jazz hosts in the local market,” Uecker said, noting that WICR already boasts a Sunday afternoon jazz show hosted by Ralph Adams, who like Workman is a member of the Indiana Jazz Hall of Fame. “We’ve always believed we’re a leader in programming classic jazz and highlighting local artists, and this firmly establishes us in that niche.”
Workman said his fascination with jazz and broadcasting began in childhood. As a young man during Indianapolis’ mid-century jazz heyday, he haunted the music clubs of Indiana Avenue and for a time studied jazz guitar, though he found the competition too stiff.
“Unfortunately, a guy named Wes Montgomery was around,” he said with a chuckle.
His broadcasting career hit full stride in the ‘70s when he was hired as a sportscaster, and later sports director and public affairs director, at WTTV-Channel 4. Since then, aside from the radio work, he has been active in music education and outreach programs, emceeing events and organizing jazz festivals. He also writes a weekly jazz column for Nuvo Newsweekly.
Jazz host Workman brings show to WICR-FM
A voice that has rallied central Indiana jazz fans for more than 30 years is coming this week to University of Indianapolis radio station WICR-FM 88.7.
Host Chuck Workman will debut his new weekly program, the aptly titled Saturday Evening Jazz Show, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 1.
“I’m excited to get back to public radio,” said Workman, who hosted Journey Into Jazz throughout the 1970s and ‘80s on public station WIAN-FM. “It’s sort of like a homecoming.”
More recently, Workman hosted The Sunday Morning Jazz Show for 19 years on WTPI-FM, but that run ended in October when the station dropped its “smooth jazz” format.
Although Workman’s WTPI show primarily featured contemporary, pop-oriented artists, the new show on WICR – also known as “The Diamond” – will shift the focus to the many branches of classic and progressive jazz that make the genre an art form and an important cultural force.
“We’re flipping it over,” Workman said of his format. “Everybody knows where my heart is. I believe in the art of jazz.”
The Saturday Evening Jazz Show, which will replace a syndicated program, continues WICR’s movement toward locally produced, non-network jazz and classical programming. General Manager Scott Uecker said Workman’s vast knowledge of jazz and his connections in the local music community will be tremendous assets.
“We’re understandably excited about having one of the foremost jazz hosts in the local market,” Uecker said, noting that WICR already boasts a Sunday afternoon jazz show hosted by Ralph Adams, who like Workman is a member of the Indiana Jazz Hall of Fame. “We’ve always believed we’re a leader in programming classic jazz and highlighting local artists, and this firmly establishes us in that niche.”
Workman said his fascination with jazz and broadcasting began in childhood. As a young man during Indianapolis’ mid-century jazz heyday, he haunted the music clubs of Indiana Avenue and for a time studied jazz guitar, though he found the competition too stiff.
“Unfortunately, a guy named Wes Montgomery was around,” he said with a chuckle.
His broadcasting career hit full stride in the ‘70s when he was hired as a sportscaster, and later sports director and public affairs director, at WTTV-Channel 4. Since then, aside from the radio work, he has been active in music education and outreach programs, emceeing events and organizing jazz festivals. He also writes a weekly jazz column for Nuvo Newsweekly.