In praise of WBGO

[cmr_for3]

Having wanted something authentic (!) to listen to while starting to read Brogan's history of the USA, I thought I would give the station an extended listen. It had been on my radar for a little while.

I must say I am very impressed. A good mix of jazz styles and presenting which is both warm and professional without being over done. Plus news and weather on the hour etc. Not a jukebox

https://www.wbgo.org

http://wbgo.streamguys.net:8000

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

It is very good, although there has been a recent(ish) bust up as new management came with a claimed "mission" to make the station more outward looking and revenue generating. This upset quite a few of the long established presenters who regarded WBGO as "Newark" and community based, with that identity and ethos. Some then quit. There was a good New York Times (Review) piece covering all this (about) two months ago.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

New York Times Jan 2020...

"...Not surprisingly, the situation became contentious. WBGO stalwarts rallied around a batch of perceived slights. Grievances cited in a petition, signed by the singer Cassandra Wilson and the pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr., pointed out the racial imbalance in WBGO’s leadership and hiring decisions that marginalized veteran employees and the community at large. An op-ed published in November alluded to a “perceived stench of racism on the part of WBGO.”

At the center of it all was Amy Niles, the station’s innovative yet divisive president and chief executive, who was once its chief operating officer. This week, after a tense board meeting and the firing of a black employee who refused to take part in an internal investigation out of fear of being fired, Ms. Niles resigned.

Upon learning the news, Ms. Kirk was sympathetic, pointing out that Ms. Niles’s previous position as C.O.O. was never filled. “She took on too much, and that’s when WBGO started deteriorating,” she said.
But the conflict ran much deeper than management style. The problem facing WBGO, really, is nothing less than honoring the roots of jazz while staying afloat financially...."

[cmr_for3]

New York Times Jan 2020...

"...Not surprisingly, the situation became contentious. WBGO stalwarts rallied around a batch of perceived slights. Grievances cited in a petition, signed by the singer Cassandra Wilson and the pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr., pointed out the racial imbalance in WBGO’s leadership and hiring decisions that marginalized veteran employees and the community at large. An op-ed published in November alluded to a “perceived stench of racism on the part of WBGO.”

At the center of it all was Amy Niles, the station’s innovative yet divisive president and chief executive, who was once its chief operating officer. This week, after a tense board meeting and the firing of a black employee who refused to take part in an internal investigation out of fear of being fired, Ms. Niles resigned.

Upon learning the news, Ms. Kirk was sympathetic, pointing out that Ms. Niles’s previous position as C.O.O. was never filled. “She took on too much, and that’s when WBGO started deteriorating,” she said.
But the conflict ran much deeper than management style. The problem facing WBGO, really, is nothing less than honoring the roots of jazz while staying afloat financially...."

Interesting thanks. I suppose there is always that tension. Hopefully they can keep pledge numbers up. I should really compare it to Jazz FM in the uk.