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KPLU's Own Jim Wilke Named 2014 Jazz Hero By Jazz Journalists Association

Steve Korn
Jim Wilke

The Jazz Journalists Association announced on April 1 (no joke) its list of 24 Jazz Heroes for 2014. 

Jim Wilke, host and producer of KPLU's "Jazz Northwest" and PRI's "Jazz After Hours" is Seattle's Jazz Hero. 

Involved in the local music and radio scene since the early 1960s, Jim was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame in 1993, and won the prestigious Willis Conover–Marian McPartland Award for Broadcasting last year.

An in-depth profile of Jim Wilke written by Steve Griggs appeared in the November 2013 issue of the Earshot Jazz news magazine.

The Jazz Journalists Association recognizes as Jazz Heroes the advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz who have had significant impact in their local communities.  The Jazz Hero Awards, made annually on the nominations of community members, are presented in conjunction with the JJA's annual Jazz Awards for jazz music and journalism, along with the month-long celebration of JazzApril: Jazz Appreciation Month + International Jazz Day April 30.

The JJA Award winners for music and journalism will be announced April 15.

Please join KPLU staff in congratulating Jim Wilke, our Jazz Hero!

Originally from Detroit, Robin Lloyd has been presenting jazz, blues and Latin jazz on public radio for nearly 40 years. She's a member of the Jazz Education Network and the Jazz Journalists Association.