Live365's "Featured Spotlight Station" this week is JazzNet247 Radio Europe! We spoke with Wes George about the station's setup, what listeners can expect to hear, and the station's favorite songs. Check out the interview below!
What brought you to Live365?
We were a previous Live365 customer with the old company for 11 years.
What's your studio like?
We have a fully equipped multimedia studio with 6 computers and screens, a radio microphone, mixing desk, and digital mixing desk software with professionally made jingles, hundreds of artist liners, and a "sight and sound" option.
What can listeners expect when they tune in to your station?
We offer the latest smooth, vocal, and Brazilian jazz releases and chart climbers on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart and The Groove Jazz Chart. We report to these two platforms weekly and have done so for more than 25 years. We also feature requests, dedications, and sneak peeks to the next show. Our show has minimal presenter interactions, but the songs are delineated with add ons, liners, and jingles. The programming ensures that the predominantly instrumental smooth jazz format has vocal tracks to delineate them and also that two similar instruments do not follow one another to confuse the listener. Listeners have the opportunity to contact us with requests, comments, and suggestions through a wide variety of platforms. In particular, listeners can contact us daily through our 3 pages on Facebook where we currently have 12,000+ guests.
What has been your favorite moment as a DJ/Station Manager so far?
Just recently, we featured a Russian saxophonist on the show and had 564 session starts on Live365 that week. We also contact all the artists that we can each week to tell them that they are featured on our show. In this case, he obviously advertised the show to his followers. This marketing "Pull and Push" effect was the most instant feedback that a marketer and producer like me could have ;>)
As a music presenter for more than 50 years now, it is my pleasure to try and share the mammoth library of music that I have gathered over the years. As the webmaster for major label Sony Jazz for 6 years, I was given thousands of albums from their catalogue to add to their new website, which I designed and maintained. This was the greatest jazz catalogue known to man since the beginning of the genre in the 1900s. I was told that I could keep all of the albums for my personal use thereafter. I already had a massive collection as I received thousands of albums and records as a professional DJ and radio presenter over the years, so my current JazzNet247 Radio Europe project is my way of giving something back to the jazz genre and introducing old and new tracks. It actually costs me money to host it, but it is very rewarding to try and pass on some of my knowledge to those who want to listen.
You can learn more on our website.
What is the best concert you've ever attended, and why?
Al Jarreau in London at Wembley in 1985 - Al was the consummate performer and his concert gave us an insight into his current album at the time, Breakin' Away, and his previous better known hits. He did an improvised solo scat version of "Take 5" as someone in the audience called out "Sing 'Take 5' Al" Originally from Dave Brubeck, and although it wasn't on his show itinerary, he performed it and brought the house down. I saw Al several times after that in Germany, but this concert stands out for me as he had 10,000 people on their feet clapping after the "Take 5" performance ;>) Sadly, Al is no longer with us.
What artist (dead or alive) would you love to see live, but haven't had the chance to see?
Chet Baker. He was my favourite jazz musician, his sincerity and dedication was outstanding and I have written many jazz articles in major magazines and online websites about this man. Through his troubles of alcohol and drug addiction, he still managed to perform with 100% honesty and dedication to his artform. At 58 years of age, he left us all too soon in 1988. He is sadly missed by true jazz fans, but I play his music at every opportunity and try to keep his legacy moving forward to a new generation. I never got a chance to see him live, but I have all of his DVDs and most of his CDs.
We asked for some of the station's favorite songs. Here's what they had to say!
- Chicago Song - David Sanborn
- We're In This Love Together - Al Jarreau
- Slow Hot Wind - Sarah Vaughan
- Autumn In New York - Billie Holiday
- Marvin Said - George Benson
- Forgetful - Chet Baker
- Dear Lemmertz - Azymuth
- Spice Of Life - Manhattan Transfer
- Brazilian Love Affair - George Duke
- Girl from Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto
Listen to JazzNet247 Radio Europe on Live365.com, add them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram!
Live365 Broadcasters! Want the chance to be featured? Fill out the form at the following link: Featured Spotlight Submission Form. (Duplicate station entries will only be featured once. Must have a Live365 Broadcaster account.)
