Stephanie Levine Interview Page 4

SL: He has fantastic energy. He is just such a great artist and really has a very special connection with the station and our listeners. I am telling you, any time we send people to go see him or to check out his new CD or DVD – he’s had out now for I believe about a year – people just go nuts… they love it!  Everyone loves him. We all do. So we are very, very grateful to have him involved.

Jazz Monthly: His idol actually was Muddy Waters when he was growing up. You mentioned Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Bobby Womack and...

SL: Mavis Staples, Johnny Winter, and Bettye Lavette… it just goes on and on. Blind Boys of Alabama received a Grammy this past year.  A Lifetime Achievement Award I believe was the category. They’re Legends. We are very lucky because we have such great talent every year.  This is no exception. Sometimes I think people may not even be familiar… they may know a name, but they may not have checked out some of these artist before. This is such a great way to see all this wonderful music in a beautiful setting. People are always surprised. We always add in artists that kind of “push the envelope” a little bit, and we offer the new artists as well… the rising stars! Every time, people are blown away. I always hear it after the fact. That is the most rewarding thing to have people out there enjoying themselves.

Jazz Monthly: You mentioned Mavis Staples from the legendary Staple Singers. What a dynamic vocalist. You talk about vocal chops; she is still incredible. You know her dad; they called him “Pops” “Pops Staples”. He was a very good friend of Martin Luther King.

SL: No, I did not know that. So there you go, a very important family.

Jazz Monthly: So, what a line up you have. Just incredible.

Let’s talk a little about your hosts and hostesses, DJ’s at KJazz. The one thing that I noticed about all of them is they all seem to have a “down to earth” quality and yet they seem to, I mean they are local for sure because they’re emanating out of the Southern California area, but there is a sophistication and heart. You know what I’m saying?

SL: That’s absolutely correct. We are very lucky, because they are true talents. It’s pretty remarkable to have the knowledge that they all have, and by listening you can hear they all have they’re different influences. They have they’re favorite artists, but they are also very knowledgeable. They love the music, yet at the same time… even though there is that sophistication and knowledge to back up their tastes in the music… they’re very accessible. They love the music and they love the audience. They feel a real commitment to the community. We all do for what we’re doing. They all joke, “ You’re not doing this if you’re out to make a lot of money. You don’t become a Jazz DJ”.

Jazz Monthly: (Laughing)

SL: It doesn’t wok that way. Even with Jazz musicians. Anyone involved in Jazz and Blues – and especially public radio – you’re not doing this to make a lot of money… you’re doing this because you love it. The audience gets that. We send our DJ’s out to all these great community events. They will be out at the Hollywood and Highland all summer hosting… and they are out at Lakma…or they’re out at Grand Performances… or at the Phil. The list goes on and on. People turn out, sometimes, just to see the DJ’s. If they know that one of the DJ’s will be there, they’re going to show up. That’s real dedication. They have a “following” because they are so approachable, at the same time being knowledgeable.

Jazz Monthly: One of the events that you have is the Sunday Jazz Brunch right? With Bubba Jackson?

SL: That’s correct. Bubba and LaRoy Jones are the hosts. They trade off, and that has been every other weekend. It is a wonderful brunch and we just started this partnership recently. Monterey Hills, the fabulous steak restaurant just started this brunch. The food is fantastic. We’ve got Music in the Moment right now performing. It’s a very upscale brunch, but you get a lot for the whole experience… and then, of course, having Bubba or LaRoy there is a lot of fun. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We are excited to be able to do this and get our listeners out there.

Jazz Monthly: It’s the Champagne and Jazz brunch at Monterey Hill.

SL: That is correct.

Jazz Monthly: Stephanie most of KJazz’s funding comes from KJazz’s membership?

SL: That’s correct. Really almost 90% I believe comes from fundraising and individual donors. There are some corporate donors, and we are grateful to them as well, but it really comes down to the individual listeners who have become members and who keep their memberships going. We have three pledge drives every year. We really, really need the money to operate the station.  It’s been so difficult really… with this economy… with what we are all facing. We are really in it together. But one of the first things to get cut is support for public radio. As it is, Jazz radio is so hard to keep going, so we keep our budget very lean. We are very responsible for how we spend money, but we still have a budget that we need to meet. That’s why we look to these pledge drives and these efforts throughout the year to encourage people to continue donating… If they haven’t become a member to become one and certainly to keep renewing. It certainly is so crucial.

Jazz Monthly: That’s a great point, because people outside of the Southern California are, people who are listening from streaming. We also urge them to donate too, and also become a member.

SL: Absolutely! Because even to stream, costs us a lot of money. Whether you are here in the Southern California area to listen on the radio or online on the web, there is a cost to stream, a cost for the server and bandwidth plus royalties.  There is so much that goes into it and I think that people don’t necessarily make that connection unless we tell them about it. This is why we need to get on the web and get on the air and tell people, “We really need your support and this is why.”

Jazz Monthly: Before we go, and again, we urge everybody to become a member and donate to KJazz. Keep this great, great, great service happening because they do so much, not only for the community but world wide in spreading Jazz and Blues and just darn good music.  I don’t even like to put a label on it. It’s just great music.

SL: Well I agree and I know that our entire staff and all of our listeners agree. It’s fantastic music and for most of us we don’t know what we would do without it.

That’s really something important to remember. To keep the station going and to keep the music going because we never want to have that situation where we are relying on the ability to turn on the dial and turn on the computer and start streaming, and it’s not there. Unfortunately, a lot of radio stations around the country that did offer Jazz are not financially able to do so. That’s why we say we have to keep it here in good times and bad time.

Jazz Monthly: Keep doing what you’re doing. KJazz is so much more than a great local Jazz and Blues station serving your area and Southern California. Not to get too lofty here, but I think that KJazz is a "beacon" or an "ambassador" of Jazz and Blues for many people, not just only across America but across the world.

SL: We certainly appreciate that. We are certainly doing our best and we are going to continue doing our best. Hopefully looking forward to celebrating another thirty years.

Jazz Monthly: Thank you Stephanie. Your KJazz makes a lot of people happy, not only in your local area but also really across America.  Thank you so much for your wonderful service and everything that you provide on KJazz.

SL: Thank you Joe. I really appreciate it.

Jazz Monthly: You’re Welcome.