All jazz radio of Clark Atlanta University
About
Why we're here! - MISSION STATEMENT
To increase the quality and professionalism of a broadcast service and to serve Clark Atlanta Unviersity and the metropolitan Atlanta community with culturally specific radio programming. To provide a professional environment to guide and train communications students in all aspects of the radio professsion.
How we got here! - WCLK HISTORY
On April 10, 1974, Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK aired its very first jazz selection, “Maiden Voyage,” by Herbie Hancock. Under the direction of former Clark College President Vivian Henderson, and former Director of Mass Communications Charles Hobson, WCLK became the first black federally licensed educational FM station in Georgia. Transmitting from Clark College's McPhetters-Dennis Hall at a mere 54 watts from noon - midnight, WCLK marked the beginning of an exciting journey to cultivate an Atlanta public radio entity that would educate, inform, and entertain listeners.
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All jazz radio of Clark Atlanta University
About
Why we're here! - MISSION STATEMENT
To increase the quality and professionalism of a broadcast service and to serve Clark Atlanta Unviersity and the metropolitan Atlanta community with culturally specific radio programming. To provide a professional environment to guide and train communications students in all aspects of the radio professsion.
How we got here! - WCLK HISTORY
On April 10, 1974, Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK aired its very first jazz selection, “Maiden Voyage,” by Herbie Hancock. Under the direction of former Clark College President Vivian Henderson, and former Director of Mass Communications Charles Hobson, WCLK became the first black federally licensed educational FM station in Georgia. Transmitting from Clark College's McPhetters-Dennis Hall at a mere 54 watts from noon - midnight, WCLK marked the beginning of an exciting journey to cultivate an Atlanta public radio entity that would educate, inform, and entertain listeners.
Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK has made a major impact in Atlanta and the recording industry by introducing and/or furthering the careers of national and local artists. The Station's commitment to exposing its audience to diverse musical styles within the jazz genre is demonstrated by the Station's freedom to explore an entire CD as opposed to playing just the most popular tracks. This affords the listener an opportunity to fully experience the artist's creativity.
Throughout the years, Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK has been the only station in the market to keep listeners musically tuned with its array of interviews. Many artists continue to visit the Station whenever they are in Atlanta. Some of these legendary vocalists and musicians include: Sonny Rollins, Terence Blanchard, Nancy Wilson, Joshua Redman, Abbey Lincoln, Jimmy Smith, Chick Corea,Vanessa Rubin, Nnenna Freelon, Jon Lucien, Al Jarreau, Ronnie Laws, Hubert Laws, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Joe Sample, Kirk Whalum, Incognito, Freddie Cole, Dr. Billy Taylor, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Houston Person, Russell Malone, Poncho Sanchez, Roy Ayers, and Rachelle Ferrell, just to name a few.
To ensure the perpetuation of this music genre, the Station continues to afford local artists the only outlet for showcasing their music. For instance, Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK introduced vocalists Lizz Wright, Donnie, and Grammy Award-winning India.Arie to the Atlanta market long before their first CDs were released, and they have attained national notoriety. In addition, Ms. Arie gives Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK and its on-air personalities credit on her first CD.
Throughout the years, WCLK has built upon its initial journey by fine-tuning just the right mix of traditional and contemporary jazz, gospel, blues, Latin, and reggae for music lovers throughout the metro Atlanta area. Broadcasting to 100,000 listeners weekly from the campus of Clark Atlanta University at 6,000 watts, 24 hours a day, and now thirty-one years later...it's still Atlanta's primary source for jazz music. Year after year, Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK has been awarded Reader's Choice & Critic's Choice as the “Best Jazz Radio Station” by the Creative Loafing Newspaper.
Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK is also committed to providing informative programming that stimulates its audience. As a result, the Station provides diverse community programming that addresses the needs and interests of the metro Atlanta area in general, and the African-American, Caribbean, and Hispanic community, in particular. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta's primary newspaper, has cited and recognized the Station's Latin program as the “Best Latin Program in Atlanta.”
Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK broadcasts news, specialty shows, call-in programming, and college sporting events that provide important and community-specific coverage not provided by any other station.
Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK is the only outlet in Atlanta that broadcasts, live, the nationally syndicated News and Notes with Ed Gordon from NPR. In addition, WCLK airs a variety of informative programming produced by the Station, including Community Forum, award-winning Lifeline to Health, and PowerPoint. PowerPoint is a live two-hour call-in program and the first African-American nationally syndicated public radio show that addresses African-American issues.
Jazz 91.9 FM WCLK's commitment to all the citizenry of Atlanta is evident and it's here to stay!
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