Have I ever mentioned the History of Jazz class that I took as a second-year at UVA?
This is 1991, so, forever ago.
It was supposed to be a gut class; it absolutely was not.
What that class left me, aside from the hard-earned B+, was an appreciation of the tunes that will be featured on WTJU in a couple of weeks.
A release from the station tells us that this year’s Jazz Marathon will be a deep dive into Miles Davis and John Coltrane in the year both artists would have turned 100.
WTJU jazz and blues hosts will immerse listeners in the music and legacies of Davis and Coltrane; the marathon will celebrate their landmark recordings, their artistic evolution, and the influence their music continues to exert.
WTJU will also honor the life of Dave Rogers, aka Professor Bebop, who brought his passion brilliance and inimitable style to WTJU’s airwaves for half a century.
Each night of the marathon at 8 p.m., WTJU will turn its attention to music being made in our community right now.
The seven-concert lineup includes John D’earth & Will Evans, Paulien, Corey Harris, Jeff Massanari, Sharel Cassity, Greg Weaver’s Limit Break 4, and Ryan Snow’s Electric Band.
Listeners can check out the full schedule and make a donation at WTJU.net/jazz2026.