Well, that year flew by!
Thanks to our community of listeners, Saturday Jazz Caliente debuted on KNKX on November 5, 2016.
Back in 2012, we asked you about adding some Latin Jazz to our schedule, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. That resulted in Thursday afternoon's Jazz Caliente feature at 2 p.m. during Mid Day Jazz.
But I didn't want to stop there. I had always envisioned an hour-long program of rhythmic jazz from all parts of Cuba and the Caribbean, Central and South America and beyond.
It took some time to research and to start building the Jazz Caliente music library, and we had to wait for the opportunity to move some weekend programs around. Then we had that whole "Save Our Radio Station" thing to deal with (THANK YOU!). Finally, Saturday Jazz Caliente was on the air.
In the last 12 months, we've explored jazz blended with the music of Cuba, Haiti, Columbia, Panama, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Spain, Mexico and Peru. This journey of discovery is definitely not over yet!
We'll celebrate our 53rd show this week with help from Northwest favorites Entremundos Quarteto and Jay Thomas, the delightful Spanish pianist Chano Domínguez, the Salsa/Jazz trombone powerhouse Jimmy Bosch and more.
Here is a Saturday Jazz Caliente birthday greeting from Mr. Hard Hands, Ray Barretto:
Jazz Caliente airs Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. The show is hosted by Robin Lloyd and produced by KNKX Public Radio.
