Terae Stefon arrived in the world of jazz radio from an unexpected place — traffic.
Stefon became a host with KNKX Public Radio in 2021. Originally from Seattle, Stefon started out in community radio, then worked as a traffic reporter and producer. KNKX management noticed his voice on the air and asked him to come aboard as a music host. As Stefon jokes, it was “love at first traffic report!”
Today, Stefon can be heard offering a fresh perspective on timeless jazz standards Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., on KNKX’s Midday Jazz.
He recently sat down with KNKX to chat about his love of rap and reggae, his favorite Pacific Northwest jazz venues, and the Sarah Vaughn album that stopped him dead in his tracks.
KNKX music editor Alexa Peters: You’re a host of Midday Jazz on KNKX. What’s something unique that your show offers listeners?
KNKX music host Terae Stefon: It offers a fresh perspective on timeless jazz standards, original music and the musicians playing it.
Peters: What do you think makes jazz distinctive from other genres?
Stefon: I think you can trace jazz in so many other genres. I listen to a lot of house music from former and current DJs, particularly from the Midwest, and can hear the direct connection between house and jazz, and notably the connection to gospel. The swagger of bebop and soul jazz reminds me a lot of hip-hop, like the effortlessness of Count Basie on pianos, like Guru rapping over a DJ Premier beat.
Peters: What’s a jazz or blues song that stopped you in your tracks?
Stefon: I’ll do ya one better — an entire concert! Sarah Vaughan: Live in Tokyo. Even if I put one song on, I end up watching the whole show.
Peters: What’s the next album on your turntable, ready to be played?
Stefon: African Rebel by Tony Benjamin. The album’s true to the name and the roots reggae genre. It focuses on the liberation from oppression, spirituality and growth of the Black consciousness and diaspora. Mixed by one of the great Jamaican engineers, Mad Professor, the album's political focus is backed by the heavy riddims of drums and bass, dub reggae.
Peters: What’s a jazz or blues performance you’ll never forget?
Stefon: Seeing Theo Crocker live at Blue Note Hawaii. There might've been 10 or 15 people in the spot, but Theo and the band played their butts off! About two songs and two drinks in, I took my phone out and recorded the whole thing on a voice memo.
Peters: Are you a musician yourself? If so, how does your musical background inform the music you share with listeners?
Stefon: Yes! I’ve made music producing hip-hop beats and rapping. My favorite style of jazz is bebop, and I constantly hear its influence in hip-hop. A rapper’s voice is our main instrument, so it’s all about providing listeners with a feeling they can relate to. I try to do the same with the music I play on air.
Peters: What’s your favorite place to see live jazz or blues in the Pacific Northwest?
Stefon: I go to Jazz Alley for the big names, but I also like the smaller joints. I go to Latona Pub near Green Lake, Owl N' Thistle in Pioneer Square — let’s play pool — and Provisions Bar for hip-hop jazz.
Peters: What's a random skill you have that surprises people?
Stefon: I’m a capoeirista! Shout out to Seattle Capoeira Center.
Peters: When you aren’t hosting at KNKX, what do you like to do for fun?
Stefon: I like to play basketball and flag football, go to Seattle Storm games, and watch old films on Turner Classic Movies.
Peters: What’s a lesson from jazz you want to share with the next generation?
Stefon: Jazz really is the base for so much of what we hear today from so many genres. It’s also cool. So much of the language we use in pop culture comes from jazz. It’s about the feeling, my man, ya dig? Keep swingin’.
