KSDS 88.3 Blog

Trumpeter Chris Botti will be playing at the Magnolia in El Cajon on Thursday, June 15th (7pm). Chris Botti has thoroughly established himself as one of the important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world. Information and tickets can be found here.

On Monday, June 19th from 6PM to 8PM there will be a very special benefit concert for jazz writer Robert Bush. Robert is having some serious medical issues and we need the San Diego music community to step up. It will be held at Tio Leos- 5302 Napa Street in San Diego. Musicians that already slated to appear are Gilbert Castellanos, Holly Hofmann, Mike Wofford, Christopher Hollyday, Joshua White, Mikan Zlatkovich, Marshall Hawkins, Justin Grinnell, Rob Thorsen, Duncan Moore, Richard Sellers, Jim Plank, Bob Boss, Louis V and many more. Donations can be made directly to Rob through Venmo. User name is Robert-Bush-158.

Guitar great Al Di Meola will be playing at the Magnolia in El Cajon on Wednesday, June 7th. The former Return to Forever guitarist is known for his works in Jazz fusion and World music. Information and tickets can be found here.

Jazz at the Ballroom announces Get Out of Town!. This concert will be on Saturday, May 13th at 8PM at the Californai Center for the Arts- Escondido. It’s a swinging tour of the country through American Songbook! The birthplace of the Songbook was New York but that didn’t stop musicians from creating a catalogue of memorable tunes about other cities. It’s a show of recognizable standards with a dozen stops in places like Chicago, Rhode Island, Alabama, San Francisco, and even down Route 66.

KSDS is celebrating the one and only Duke Ellington. Duke’s birthday is Saturday so KSDS will be playing classic and rare recordings throughout the day today all connected to Duke. KSDS will also air Ellington’s extended works at the top of each hour. Celebrating the one and only Duke Ellington, HAPPENING NOW. Only on KSDS, San Diego’s Jazz 88.3 and Jazz 88.org.

KSDS/Jazz 88.3's 2023 Spring Membership Drive was a big success! Thank you so much for your support. We welcomed many new and renewing members and the music will continue to thrive because of it. If you missed your chance to call during the drive you can still donate towards the campaign by clicking here.  Many thanks to Dave Grudt for the polling and THANK YOU to all our DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS! We truly couldn't have done it with you! Here is the top ten list from our most recent drive:

The First Presbyterian Church of San Diego is announcing a  TRIBUTE TO JEFF BECK courtesy of the Jazz Vespers, featuring San Diego guitarist, BRANDON SCOTT.

The event will be held Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 4:30pm in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego. 1740 4th Ave.
Led by Archie Thompson and The ArchTones, Jazz Vespers is San Diego’s longest running jazz-inspired worship service, and takes place in the First Presbyterian Chapel every Sunday.

March is Women's History Month and KSDS-FM is celebrating by shining a light on the women of the Swing Era (1935-1945). Join us every weekday to hear all about the likes of Mary Lou Williams, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Ella Mae Morse, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald and many many more. 

February is Black History Month and KSDS-FM is celebrating by shining a light on the rich Jazz history of CHICAGO. Join us every weekday to hear special audio vignettes that focuses on the Windy City's immense impact on Jazz from the 1920's to the present. 

For the last four years producer, Jacey Falk has been working on his first film. The film, Benny Golson: Looking Beyond The Horizon. The film documents the life of jazz icon, Benny Golson.