September, 2012

Here at Jazz88.3 we have implemented a very nice technology created and provided by Amazon.com - the ability to search and extract the album cover images of every album played on our radio station, so that we could display them on our website. It works great, when it works. Unfortunately, sometimes people make mistakes. Of course, I'm not talking about us! I'm talking about those people who actually submit those images to Amazon.

The submission process to Amazon is typically done by the recording company, who produces the albums, but lately it has become possible for the musicians to produce their own albums by themselves. Now-days every musician can record his or her music in a rented studio and then print a small batch of CD's keeping all the profit to him/herself, without sharing it with those greedy label companies.

One of the pillars of our mission, at San Diego's Jazz 88.3, the support of the Arts.  Not just Jazz and Blues.  In fact, not even "just" music.  We see our role as an important vehicle for information about all the arts; as enjoyed through theatre, museums, performance and exhibition.  There is a perception  that the arts are, well, stuffy.  Or high-browed.  Or unimportant in today's world. 

Well, as it turns out, everyone knew that the arts are fun.  The art critic from the Guardian in the UK is merely verbalizing something that we've all known,  at least subconsciously, all our lives.  We listen to music because it's fun.  It makes us feel good.  Sometimes it makes us want to dance.  Or cry.  Or sing along.  Music is part of our soul. Music makes our bodies fluid, our hearts light.