Greg Bryant
Jazz HostGreg Bryant has been a longtime curator of improvisational music as a broadcaster, writer, host and musician. As a young child, he began absorbing the artistry of Miles Davis, Les McCann, Jimmy Smith, James Brown, Ornette Coleman, Weather Report, and Jimi Hendrix via his parent's record collection. He was so moved by what he was experiencing that he took pride in relaying all of his discoveries with anyone who would listen.
Greg's zeal for sharing music blossomed into broadcasting in 1993 when he entered high school at age 14. His budding music collection and quick adaptation to the microphone landed him a volunteer gig as a weekly jazz radio show host in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee on WFSK-FM, the radio station for Fisk University. He took pride and pleasure in spreading the news about the music of established legends and new talents, while championing masters of the music who deserved more recognition.
As a college student, Greg moved on to host jazz on Middle Tennessee State University's WMOT-FM and Northwestern University's WNUR; his respective undergraduate and graduate alma maters. Time on weekends was allocated to visiting area record stores furiously digging in crates for rare finds and out-of-print gems. He also prioritized being in the clubs for live music to ensure that he kept his ears fresh. Greg's dual regimen aided his musical knowledge immeasurably and established his earliest roots among working and touring musicians.
As a working electric bassist, Greg performed locally in his home state and toured abroad before moving to New York in January 2020, just before the global pandemic. Prior to his arrival at WRTI, he served as host of Jazz After Hours at Newark , New Jersey's WBGO where he also co-hosted the Jazz United podcast with critic, author, and editor Nate Chinen. The latter show earned "Podcast of the Year" honors for 2021 and 2022 from the Jazz Journalists Association.
Greg is an avid LP collector, continues to play bass, and enjoys seeing as much live music as possible. As a long-time admirer of the Philadelphia music scene, Greg is excited to share music with WRTI's current audience while assisting the station to capture and retain new listeners.
Hear Greg on Evening Jazz with Greg Bryant, Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and The Get Down, Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.
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On Acrobats, singer Jo Lawry is aided solely by the rhythm team of Linda May Han Oh on bass and Allison Miller on drums. Rather than a reduction, the format opens up possibilities. -
Before The Headhunters perform at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia this Saturday, co-leaders Bill Summers and Mike Clark talked with WRTI's Greg Bryant about their origins, and what keeps the music moving.
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The title track of 'Prime,' a forthcoming album by Christian McBride's New Jawn, captures four musical aces in spirited exchange. WRTI is proud to feature the single in an exclusive premiere.
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After a kickoff weekend at SOUTH Jazz Kitchen, the Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival continues at the Painted Bride Art Center, and in VR.
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Fans of Dave Liebman's probing excursions into free jazz will encounter a tender and reverential investigation into the American Songbook on 'Trust and Honesty.'
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In advance of 'John & Alice: A Coltrane Festival' at Penn Live Arts, here is a choice selection of pieces that speak to Alice and John Coltrane in dialogue.
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Led by 98-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen, the Sun Ra Arkestra has created a new studio album that breathes as it grooves.
