Sarasota Jazz Club members and listeners have recently been alarmed at the news that WUSF, Tampa’s home for night-time jazz programming for 56 years – including many years of All Night Jazz – is dropping all hours of music programming effective October 31. This decision was made by radio management without any discussion with the extensive and loyal Tampa Bay and Sarasota jazz community.
The Jazz Club's core mission is to preserve and promote jazz, America’s original musical art form. All Night Jazz has always supported us in our efforts. Not only airing the work of jazz masters past and present, but also as source of information about emerging local performers and events like our annual Jazz Festival.
Some have argued that the loss isn't so important because there are many high-quality online alternatives. While those options do exist, what those comments fail to respond to is the 45% of the public that still does not access to the internet. That's almost half of the audience that can only listen to traditional on-air stations.
We Need Your Help!
We want to send a message.
As advocates for this great music and its visibility in our culture, the JCS Board of Directors wants you to consider joining us in letting your voice be heard. If you agree, please sign the petition linked below and/or share your thoughts directly with station management.
More than 2,500 have signed a petition asking that local jazz programming be reinstated. Please add your name to the petition here:
While you will see a request for a contribution to support the campaign, it is not necessary to sign the petition.
Or write:
JoAnn Urofsky, General Manager:
Sheila Rue, Program Director
One additional personal note. I was so disturbed by the station management's decision and the way it was made without public participation that I decided to cancel my monthly Sustaining Contribution to WUSF. I called the station and told them what I wanted and why. The telephone number I called was 813-974-8700.
Ed
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