WGTE Public Media Blog

LARRY WILLIS – An Appreciation

By Fritz ByersIn the early years of the Murphy’s Jazz Masters program, we brought the pianist Larry Willis to play in Toledo. There were day-time educational features, as usual, and the night gig was, of course, at Murphy’s, back when it was still in the original location on Madison. If memory serves, Buster Williams was the bassist. Read More

Bobby Watson and Jon Faddis

Jazz Spectrum

By Fritz ByersThe alto saxophonist Bobby Watson’s composition, “The Misery of Ebop,” from his career-defining 1986 masterpiece, Love Remains. In the late 70s, Bobby, who on the LP cover of this album is billed as Robert, studied in the fabled institute of advanced hard-bop studies that was Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He began making recordings as a leader toward the end of that decade. Read More

Toledo Library Partners with WGTE for Toledo Stories

Media & Press

Release from the Toledo Lucas County Public LibraryThe Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) and WGTE Public Media proudly announce an exciting new partnership to bring the local community a captivating video series, "Toledo Stories." This collaborative effort seeks to preserve and share the rich history, culture, and stori Read More

New Voices Around Us® Podcasts

Media & Press

“Voices Around Us®” aims to amplify the community’s voices and share diverse stories and backgrounds.TOLEDO, OHIO – August 3, 2023 –WGTE Public Media’s “Voices Around Us®” podcast series officially launches on Tuesday, August 8th with six brand new podcasts at www.wgte.org/vau. WGTE is working with community experts and voices to launch these new podcasts that cover a variety of important topics. Read More

On Tony Bennett

Jazz Spectrum

By Kim Kleinman
Jazz Spectrum Contributing Writer

I primarily mourned Tony Bennett’s death by finding his two albums with the revered Bill Evans from right around the time I saw Evans with Eddie Gomez at the Antibes Jazz Festival and later at home in Kansas City. That said, I did not get or even listen to them back in the day. Read More

This Week on Jazz Spectrum - 7/29

Jazz Spectrum

By Fritz Byers This week on Jazz Spectrum, an homage to Tony Bennett. I posted earlier this week a brief reflection on Tony’s music, which was elevated by his taste and his commitment to the meanings of the lyrics, married to the melodies and harmonies of the best songs in the canon.

On the show this week, we’ll hear Tony in various settings. But we begin with three tracks from the highwater mark of his work, his collaborations with the pianist Bill Evans. Read More

Tony Bennett (1926-2023)

Jazz Spectrum

By Fritz ByersTony Bennett, who died last Friday at 96, sang for us for more than 70 years. We didn’t always listen as closely as we should have. As happens when the crowd is surfing the zeitgeist, the culture took its eyes and ears from Tony for a while –he endured a long dry period as folk, rock ‘n’ roll, and their variants pushed him and his favored music to one side. He even lacked a record contract in the 70s, and he resorted to forming his own recording company. Read More

This Week on Jazz Spectrum - 7/22

Jazz Spectrum

By Fritz ByersThis week on Jazz Spectrum, selections from a cascade of new releases reflecting the vitality of current jazz. Among them:

* The Venezuelan-born pianist Edward Simon, abetted by his stalwart bandmates, the drummer Adam Cruz and the bassist Reuben Rogers, programs his new release, Femininas, as an homage to female Latin American songwriters. Read More

Raising Up Ohio's Women Podcast

Media & Press

“Raising Up Ohio’s Women” aims to share the stories and historic accomplishments of some of the most influential women in Ohio TOLEDO, OHIO – July 6, 2023 –WGTE Public Media has launched a new FM 91 broadcast and podcast series “Raising Up Ohio’s Women.” The series will air 26 episodes for 26 consecutive weeks each highlighting a woman from Ohio. Read More

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