Dinner Jazz Excursion - Parker, CO

John began his broadcasting career in 1969, co-hosting the morning show at Lutheran High School East in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. "We did a little fifteen minute blurb on school activities over the P.A., and then played a couple jazz cuts... no rock allowed! It's funny to think about that now… with what gets aired over stations in the current environment." Moving on to college at Miami University in Oxford, John hosted a variety of rock, classical and jazz programs on WMUB-FM; most notably "The Musical Excursion" (soon to change to the Jazz Excursion in 1975). Graduating with a radio, T.V., and Film degree, "The Jazz Station" KADX-FM Denver's commercial jazz station was the next stop. Starting as the traffic manager (scheduling commercials) and moving on to part-time air shifts and finally program director within a year. During tenure at KADX-FM John interviewed hundreds of jazz artists and produced several award-nominated radio programs and features. After leaving KADX-FM in 1980, John co-founded OZ productions a background/foreground music production company and recording studio. The company was eventually sold to 3M/Muzak. Continuing to host a weekly show on a range of different stations, John went into the investment banking field. "I needed to make some additional capital because my younger brother was living with me after my parent's passing... some friends of mine convinced me to become an investment banker and work for them. The Jazz Excursion show was the only thing that kept me sane during those years, but it was good for me to see how the business world worked." After retiring from the venture capital markets, a syndicated Big Band Swing show was next. Hosting a Big Band Show on one of the nation's largest satellite radio program providers boosted John's show all over North America, Central America, and the northern part of South America. "The show was a kick, and very emotionally satisfying for me. I played requests and dedications for folks all over and they would call in crying about so and so and how much it meant to hear their request, it was just amazing. That's another reason I continue to take listener suggestions today on the Jazz Excursion, music and radio have this bond, an emotional connection with your memories that is very strong." John and his wife Densie put the show Big Band Swing into national syndication and ran it over 250 stations, wrapping up after five years in 2000. "I needed a break, and Denise and I started Warpradio.com--now the third largest radio broadcast streaming company, and stream about 200 stations on the Internet" "Warp is how I got the JazzExcursion.com going, and back on the air." We broadcast 24 hours a day. "We also have a great relationship with Michael [Ricci] at AllAboutJazz.com." AllAboutJazz.com and the JazzExcursion.com are bringing together the best in jazz resources coupled with the music to provide a very satisfying experience for the site visitor 24 hours a day. I love doing this." Favorite albums: A Love Supreme by John Coltrane, but I listen to everything: old 60's soul, Reggae, Rap, Pop, Techno, Americana/folk... man, I could list a thousand albums I couldn't do without but A Love Supreme really could work for me for a long time on a desert island. Favorite concert: Rahsaan Roland Kirk live at Gilly's in Dayton, Ohio June 1975. Not long after the "Bright Moments Live at the Keystone Korner " album. Dave Slusser (Rubber City, Jive Soup, John Zorn, Twin Peaks) and I drove from Cleveland to Dayton (couple hundered miles) sat at the second table. Habao leads Kirk around about halfway through the show, and he stops at our table and blows with the bell of his tenor about six inches from our faces for a couple of minutes! Man, I almost died from emotional overload. The most moving live musical experience I've ever had. Hobbies: Watching my two teenage daughters excel in their various activities, trying to play the drums, fishing, taking care of the three acres of trees and such where I live. (the trees, it's a spiritual thing planting them and watching them grow). Thanks for listening, I love to bring the music to you.