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Every week on the air there's a special focus on one particular jazz album. Check them all out here!

WRTI is Jazzed about Jazz Appreciation Month!

Although you can hear exceptional jazz on WRTI 90.1 every night and 24/7 online on our jazz stream, April is a time for a special focus on this classic American art form. Join us for great music and unique features as we mark Jazz Appreciation Month.

Jazz Appreciation Month was so named in 2001 by musician, writer, and jazz historian John Edward Hasse, who founded the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in 1990, as the orchestra-in-residence at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Jazz Appreciation Month is a way jazz groups all over the country—from school jazz bands to professionals—each year can join in celebration of this quintessential American music, which is so important to our history and so enthusiastically embraced by a new generation.

As festivals and concerts are cancelled this year, we need music more than ever. This month we pay tribute to the artists who have called the Philadelphia region home. Consider it a virtual Jazz Appreciation Month, where we shine a light on our region and its musical alumni, and our community of local artists who currently can't perform in person for live audiences.

The late, great McCoy Tyner with Bob Perkins at WRTI in 2018.

Every weeknight at 7:15 PM, and Sunday at 12:15 PM, Bob Perkins highlights jazz musicians who grew up right around the corner. Listen to past and present artists, including vocalist Miss Justine, saxophonist Larry McKenna and the late McCoy Tyner and some of his bandmates. BP plays tunes from Profile, The Real McCoy, and other albums!  

WRTI is also proud to partner with Jazz Philadelphia to feature local artists, past present and future. Hear the area's favorite jazz legends, including guitarist Pat Martino, up-and-coming artists, such as V. Shayne Frederick and everyone in between.

Through all our jazz programming hours, we also bring you plenty of music exclusive to WRTI, either recorded in the WRTI Performance Studio, at the Rite of Swing Café, or out in the community. Of course, we continue to highlight artists featured on our NPR Live Sessions Video of the Week, and our Jazz Album of the Week features performers from our region.

We'll also keep you informed of virtual jazz concerts as, together, we get used to a new way of experiencing this great music. Join WRTI for Jazz Appreciation Month as we all honor the artists who have continually fed our souls with the best music around.