J. Michael Harrison
Jazz HostJ. Michael Harrison’s first radio show, WPEB’s “Is That Jazz” launched in June of 1993. In 1994 he began volunteering with WRTI as a production assistant. In 1996, J. Michael debuted his own program, The Bridge, which continues to air Friday evenings on WRTI.
The Bridge was selected as Philadelphia Magazine’s "Best Radio Program” in 2002, and in 2007, the Philadelphia City Paper called it the “Best On-Air Reminder That Jazz Didn’t Die in 1965.”
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts made him a Stakeholder in 2016, and invited him to participate on their Advisory Board. In October of 2022, J. Michael was hired as an Education Coordinator by the Clef Club. J. Michael has also recently joined the Rosenbach Museum’s Programming Committee. He was presented the Above & Beyond award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts & Culture by the People’s Emergency Center in 2017, that same year the Jazz Journalist Association named him a "Jazz Hero."
Since 2008 he has taught a music journalism class at the University of the Arts and recently developed and premiered a new class, Philadelphia’s Musical Sound, as an undergraduate offering.
He’s presented lectures to students in the Philadelphia School District, Temple University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He has written liner notes, has sat on and moderated panels, has curated series, produced events, and hosted concerts in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, and New Orleans. He was executive producer on Jamaaladeen Tacuma’s 1999 CD BrotherZone. He’s worked closely with the Philadelphia Jazz Project, Jazz Philadelphia, Jazz Bridge, Jazz Near You, The Painted Bride Art Center, The Producers Guild, The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, The Rosenbach Museum, and other organizations.
Additionally, Mike has curated and produced much of WRTI's jazz video content for the NPR Live Sessions platform since 2017.
“Music is truly my sanctuary, a reason to live, and a bright moment”—J. Michael Harrison
J. Michael can be heard on Fridays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. as host of The Bridge.
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We have a great night in store for you on The Bridge! During the first half of the 10 pm hour, violinist and pianist Ben Sutin chats about his latest…
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British saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch is not a stranger to WRTI. Soweto has proven to be an extremely versatile musician, creatively fusing…
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Ring in the new year as we celebrate Philadelphia as the music city that it is. You can revisit the city’s past with music from Grover Washington, Jr.,…
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Drummer G. Calvin Weston has been part of the revolving door of guests on The Bridge for years. It doesn't hurt that he lives just a few blocks from the…
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Charismatic trombonist and Philly homeboy Papo Vazquez commandeers The Bridge to discuss Oasis, the latest release by his Mighty Pirates Troubadours…
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A sprawling band of musicians from NYC, whose prodigious personnel allows them to freely juggle a wide swath of the experimental soul-jazz-hip hop…
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You don't want to miss what plans to be a wonderful evening on The Bridge - THREE truly special guests: master Trumpeter and epic composer Hannibal…
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It's been almost three years to the day since Philly's own Victor Bailey last visited the WRTI studios. Look forward to a lot of catching up! Victor…
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A special evening is in store for you as host J. Michael Harrison welcomes two fascinating musicians to The Bridge: Senegalese kora player Ablaye Cissoko…
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Conductor Michel Galante Crosses The Bridge to Discuss Spectral Impressions Concerts at Rodin MuseumConductor Michel Galante joins WRTI's J. Michael Harrison on July 20th at 10 pm to discuss two much-anticipated concerts he'll be conducting at the newly…