Mary McCann | KNKX

Mary McCann

Saturday Jazz Matinee Host

Mary McCann is a poet and performer and madly in love with music. She?s written three one woman shows and had her poetry published by Arizona State University. Broadcast radio was her life from age 17 on. In 1999 she had a pioneering role in Internet radio during the dot com boom in Silicon Valley. Mary is currently the World Music Director at AOL Internet radio and one of the narrators for BirdNote. She started at KNKX in June of 2008 as the host of the Saturday Jazz Matinee.

Her most memorable KNKX moment was my first fund drive: "It was a thrill to talk to people about shared values through music. It still is, every time I take the mic."

Ways to Connect

Live Studio Session: Elvin Bishop - Still Hittin' The Groove

By • Dec 25, 2014

Blues guitarist and vocalist Elvin Bishop recently stopped by the KPLU performance studios and, as is usual with an Elvin Bishop show, a good time was had by all.  

In the mid-1960s Elvin was a founding member of the highly influential Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Since then Elvin's made a number of recording as a group leader.  

His latest is called "Can't Even Do Wrong Right." In this performance/interview hosted by Mary McCann, Bishop performs that title track as well as another original composition, "Old School." The band also gave us their beautiful rendition of the Percy Mayfield classic, "River's Invitation."

Terence Blanchard's "Magnetic" Studio Session

By & • Mar 7, 2014
Justin Steyer / KPLU

Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and New Orleans native Terence Blanchard and his sextet stopped by the KPLU Seattle studios for a performance and interview hosted by jazz host, Mary McCann. 

Watch the group perform the title track off his latest album, Magnetic. 

Booker T. Jones: The heart of soul

By & • Jul 3, 2013
Justin Steyer / KPLU

During the 1960s there was a golden age of soul music in America. Some of the greatest songs from that era came from the Stax Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. A short list of artists who recorded there could include Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave and the instrumental band led by Hammond organist, Booker T. Jones—Booker T. And The M.G.s.

Bela Fleck & Marcus Roberts Trio 'Crossing the Imaginary Divide'

By & • Sep 27, 2012
Justin Steyer / KPLU

On a tour to promote their first collaboration, Crossing The Imaginary Divide, Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio stopped by the KPLU Seattle studios for a live performance and interview, hosted by Mary McCann.  If you’re looking for music that will lift your heart, this is the session for you!