Where Have All The Jazzers Gone?

[Those RRRRs]

It's been several months now since Greater Media introduced smooth jazz to 97.5 FM. Except for an initial comment or two, no one has compared or contrasted Clear Channel's 106.1 and Greater Media's 97.5 FM lately.

Spoiled by Sirius, I don't listen to the station very often. But those mornings on which I'm running late and don't grab the Sportster, I sometimes listen to WJJZ. I hear some of the same tunes as I did on 106.1, but the new station seems to be more authentically jazz oriented than Clear Channel's version of the format. I hear many more instrumentals and less Sade type of music. But again, I don't listen regularly.

I opine that the reason this subject isn't talked about is that most SJ listeners are at some sort of "all you can eat/taste wine and shrimp fest" instead of on Radio-Info, but regardless, does anyone wish to comment on the similarities and/or differences between the two stations?

 

[MikefromDelaware]

I would like to hear the new WJJZ at 97.5, but I can't get it at work or even very well in my car in Wilmington, where as 106.1 came in with a good strong signal.

 

[WTUX]

I listen every week day. It's still hard to hear at home in Newark. It's a great station, in my view, better than 106.1 More instrumentals, less Motown.

 

[Betrayed]

Ironic this should come up. I was just thinking about this the other day. I think the 97.5 version is better than the 106.1 incarnation. I don't know that I've heard any Motown on 97.5. The CC version was too Kenny G.-ish. Sometimes a snooze-a-thon. The GM version much more upbeat and a bit funky. "Contemporary Jazz and Smooth Vocals" .

Comes in good for the most part at home in hills in the upper tip of Mont.Co. Gets a little shakey in the Upper Perk boroughs. Improves going south toward Green Lane and east toward Q-town. Not too good at all beyond Hereford into eastern Berks.

 

[PhilGalasso]

When I'm at my place in South Jersey and heading back to Northeast Pennsylvania, I listen to WJJZ on 97.5 and LOVE it! The differences between the new WJJZ and its previous incarnation seem to be cosmetic, at best. The new version does not have any jingles, but the music is great. I also enjoy the standards program that they do on Sunday nights.

Yes, "smooth jazz" is basically jazzy elevator music with a little urban AC thrown in. And I listen to WRTI at night for my "real jazz" fix. But the smooth jazz format is good, relaxing music and I would be a steady listener to WJJZ if I could hear it in the Wilkes-Barre area. And I also flip to WJJZ if WRTI starts airing those b-o-r-i-n-g interviews that they love to do during their jazz programming.

Unfortunately, there is no smooth jazz station in NEPA, so, when I'm marooned up there, I have to listen to Sirius . WJJZ's signal to the south should improve when they move to the old WPCA-TV tower. From their present Ingham Avenue site, I can hear them well into Monroe County and I get a burst of reception when I'm on high ground near Hazleton.

 

[SouthJersey1234]

New... I think it's better.

I appreciate the new WJJZ more, so I don't know if the fact that it is better is only in my head. They have been playing a lot more upbeat songs, and I agree that it has been more funky. There are not as many vocals mixed in it seems (though still played, Luther Vandross is much less common, and I don't think I've ever heard Dance With My Father, which was on about once an hour on the old station), and less Motown mixed in too.

Besides the minor music adjustments during regular music programming, everything else about the station remains as it had been on the old station. The weekend programming is the same, and the local weekend stuff has the same hosts. The new station seems more subdued, and they have no jingle. I think it was a better way to transition songs, because hearing a lady talk about how this music is good for your soul and mind gets on my nerves sometimes. I'm sure a jingle will come in time.

Other than these few minor things, I think WJJZ is a really great station.