WGTE Public Media Blog

Remembering Jack DeJohnette

I saw Jack DeJohnette perform twice, once with Special Edition at the Chicago Jazz Festival in 1981, and, much more recently, as part of the charming Hudson at St. Louis’s Sheldon Concert Hall in 2017. For the former, I was part of a Grant Park crowd thinned out by rain and the end of the weekend and festival. For the latter, I was three rows away at eye level with the maestro, periodically visible between those glorious cymbals. That show was a chance to see a giant of the music with a faultless band (John Scofield, John Medeski, and Larry Grenadier). Read More

In Memorium, Jack DeJohnette (1942-2025)

By Fritz Byers
There’s a YouTube video of the jazz quartet, occasionally referred to as Parallel Realities, comprising the pianist Herbie Hancock, the bassist Dave Holland, the guitarist Pat Metheny, and the drummer Jack DeJohnette, performing live in 1990.  The concert begins with Jack playing solo for about two minutes before he is joined, in turn, by Dave, Herbie, and finally Pat.  And then they are off, assaying “Shadow Dance” for 15 minutes. Read More

Rodgers & Hart’s “Manhattan” at 100 – A Birthday Celebration

By John Bigelow
Contributing Writer It was a century ago, 1925, the middle of the Roaring Twenties, in New York. The country was on fire. Captains of industry, titans of finance, and show business impresarios were creating fortunes and reputations and making American into a world powerhouse. The Great War was over and it seemed there was nothing but smooth sailing ahead. Optimism was in the air. Read More

Monroe Street United Methodist Church

WGTE Public Media and Monroe Street United Methodist Church have embarked on a wonderful documentary project that will chronicle the 200 year history of the Monroe Street United Methodist Church.  This project is 75% finished and MSUMC needs your help to get it finished. 

Friday's Featured Recording 9/19/25

This Friday’s featured recording: Pat Metheny’s 80/81  Read More

Future of WGTE, other public entities hang in balance

Public media funding has become a key topic of discussion. S. Amjad Hussain gives a few answers and perspectives. Read Now.

Federal Funding Loss FAQs

Funding FAQs: Why WGTE Public Media Needs Your Support

Public media funding has become a key topic of discussion. WGTE Public Media has answered some common questions to help you understand how public media funding works and why it’s so important to our service.

5 Key Points About Public Media and Federal Funding:

• Reach: Public media serves 99% of the U.S. population, reaching millions every day.
• CPB Funding: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) distributes federal funds to local stations. Read More

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