Ive been told way before I was born, people would come to our house back when my father had the first crystal radio set on the block. Detroit was wide open. TN: Have you made any changes to your playlist, in light of whats happening? ), I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. When Bob Perkins was growing up at 19th and Gerritt Streets in South Philadelphia during the Great Depression, his father, Deforrest, was stricken by arthritis at age 39 and could no longer work at his job as a freight elevator operator. I leaned on them when I got into radio until I got my own sea legs and could navigate on my own.. WRTI has not yet put a new DJ in Perkins usual weeknight spot, which will temporarily be filled by station associate general manager Josh Jackson, KYW Newsradio reported. He throws in a four-hour show on Sunday mornings for good measure. Its a rallying cry. Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. Robert Bob Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. WRTI's legendary jazz host, Bob Perkins, is surrounded by his cd collection of jazz recordings in his home in Wyncote, PA on December 19, 2019. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. You can never know. I went in and knocked on the door and they said, we listened to you on WJLB, and we liked your work there, but you dont know news. Discovery, curation, community, performance, preservation. But then hed also play Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, John Coltrane, and Bird. (The last being the nickname for the brilliant bebop jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Joe Blocks parents were fans of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a fan himself. Over the years, he met the likes of President Jimmy Carter and touched the lives of everyday listeners and renowned musicians. 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue Hear Bob on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Sunday Jazz Brunch. Maybe were getting back to that today. I'm a general assignment breaking news reporter. He makes it interesting and inclusive for everybody.. A survey of the playlist from one of his last shows before his stroke is a ramble through classic jazz interpretations of American Songbook standards. I dont know how they do it. Each Friday at 6 PM, there's Nouveau Jazz . Went to Texas A&M University. BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. We have a father right now and that's Bob Perkins.. Eventually, Perkins moved to Detroit at the suggestion of his older brothers who already lived there, having moved from Philly after World War II, he said. I did what I could, he said, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. Hes one of the last purveyors of our actual history. Radio started I think, in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by WRTI). He will continue to host his Sunday program. I guess I couldnt help but love radio, because from the time I was a little boy, radio was very much a part of my day every day growing up in South Philadelphia.. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. In 1969, he headed home to Philly, where he began working as a news and editorial director at WDAS-FM, which was then known as the voice of the Black community. He stayed at that station for nearly two decades. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. Classical music and jazz public media. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. I had a mild stroke. Liked by Joe Bob Perkins. After a longtime gig at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997. Remember, I came up as a war baby. Robert "Bob" Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. Lovingly known as "BP with the GM" (Bob Perkins with the Good Music), BP brings you that good music just in time for dinner during your work week. Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. By Bob Perkins | WRTI-FM (Philadelphia, PA) One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theater's Amateur Night program and planned to do a dance routinebut changed her mind and decided to sing a song instead. Growing up in a two-bedroom rowhouse near 19th and Reed in South Philly during World War II, Bob Perkins received intimate and powerful instruction on the healing properties of radio. The world is a lot different than it used to be.. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Jazz-Classical WRTI/PHILADELPHIA evening host BOB PERKINS is stepping away from his weekday 6-9p (ET) show on JUNE 30th. I couldnt leave Mom Perkins to go chasing after radio, he said. I wrote for Hugo Warren for 20 years. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphias airwaves for 50 years. But BP programs his own. 27206. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. Hes introduced thousands, if not millions, of listeners to this music over the course of his career, delighted young and old with his signature sound, and been a tireless advocate for jazz appreciation and education. Apple Tea Whats Cookin? The mission of WRTI public radio is to broadcast the very best classical music and jazz recordings, and produce innovative, entertaining, and informative content that enriches the daily lives of our audience and the cultural life of Philadelphia and the tri-state region. I was out for about four months. Thursday marks the end of an era at 90.1 WRTI-FM, with longtime jazz DJ Bob Perkins signing off from his final weeknight shift after 25 years at the station. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. Experience Board Chair Orennia 2021 - Present 2 years. Perkins's CEO profile on Targa Resources's website states that he has both an engineering and a business background when it comes to his education. BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. Our beloved BP with the GMBob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. They don't think that it's accessible to younger people. Black Music Month means heritage, he said. Bob Perkins, age 8. Who knows what lies behind that smile? New Temple Press book celebrates Philadelphias Italian legacy, Hundreds of Temple community members gather to celebrate the life of Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald with his family, Temples Lenfest Center increases job opportunities for the North Philadelphia community, Globally connected campus: A presidential visit to Temple Rome, Whats the best way for an athlete to build their brand? I met him when he was a frequent visitor to the 900, One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theaters Amateur Night program and planned to do a, Many years ago, a group of teenage musicians decided to form a small jazz band in South Phillythey went on to become high-profile players in the jazz, WRTI's own jazz legend Bob Perkins sat down with Kile Smith in December, 2012 for a wide-ranging interview about Dave Brubeck the man, his music, and his, I believe the year was 1983 when I was asked if Id like to emcee a concert at the Academy of Music, headlined by Dave Brubeck and his sons and the Modern, Some folkseven jazz fanswouldnt know that 'Robert Chudnick' was the real name of the musician whose handle was Red Rodney. Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly Great! It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? I think hes been very good to all the local jazz musicians who have recorded music, McKenna said. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Bob Perkins airs from 9 AM until 1 PM. Melinda Whiting, Courtney Blue, Bobbi I. Booker, Susan Lewis and Maureen Malloy are familiar voices on WRTI. At the end of this Black Music Month, Bob Perkins will be retiring at the ripe young age of 88. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. Perkins will continue to host his Sunday show from 9am to 1pm. It was a small station. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. Please let Bob know in the comments section below. For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. WRTI, which broadcasts classical music from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, and jazz from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. - What would I do without Bobbi Booker as my gentle alarm clock? The once well-known jazz, Have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to you? And all the while, you weren't aware of ituntil that person moved away, and, During a recent interview, saxophone great Larry Mckenna was right on target when he shared that often in other cities, when people found out he was from, When a dynamic figure in any walk of life departs, writers and just plain folks, usually try to recall certain events about the departed in which they may, When I was a kid growing up in South Philly, there was an older fellow down the block who was trying to play an alto saxophone. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. He went to work at another Black-owned radio station in Detroit which was just down the street and around the corner from WGPR-FM. Do you have any anecdotes about BP you'd like to share? For 50 years he has been one of the great voices of Philadelphia radio, starting in 1969 with a nearly 20-year stint as a news and editorial reader for WDAS, known in those days as The Voice of the Black Community. It was typically BP in tone. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. Perkins is currently engaged for the annual Cape May Jazz Festival Concert Series and the Tony Williams Jazz Festival Concert Series. On the set of his jazz cable TV show at the old Greater Media Cable in South Philly in the early '90s with guest vocalist Paula Johns. Bob received a Master of Science degree degree from Nazareth College. Joe Bob Perkins Director Former Executive Chairman, CEO, and Founding President of Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP) since 2003 (took Targa Public) Held a variety of executive and business development roles with Reliant, Coral Energy, and Tejas Gas, and also worked for McKinsey and Company and Mesa Petroleum; Serves on the Targa Resources Board, is a . His show is an oasis, a source of comfort as listeners cope with the challenges of life during a pandemic. Im the only one thats doing this thing on regular radio and I enjoy very much what Im doing, and the feedback that I get from people who enjoy it. And hopefully its working. I met saxophonist Sam Reed well before he became a legendary figure on the Philadelphia jazz scene. The late teen years. Domain Insight 2/27: The First Audacy Atlas Divestiture Will Go To. Bob Perkins' Recollection of the Late Sam Reed, BP Tells a Little Story About Ella Fitzgeralds Connection to Orphaned Children, Bob Perkins Reflects On Oldtime Philly Legends, Including 2021 NEA Jazz Master Albert "Tootie" Heath, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012. [3] One of his well-known sayings is "This is BP with the GM!". Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI Our beloved "BP with the GM"Bob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. Pianist Orrin Evans believes BP is vital to Philadelphias jazz scene. "[4] He is also an accomplished radio news journalist and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012, BP Remembers The Glorious Jazz Vocalist Gloria Lynne. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? In mid-December, as he planned his return to the airwaves, Perkins was worried that some physical effects of his stroke a few fingers that werent obliging might compromise his technical performance in the control booth. Anybody who wants to hear jazz on the radio, you have to tune to WRTI and theres Bob Perkins. He also champions local musicians and music. I remember saying, I dont know how to write editorials. LeBaron Taylor said [to me], You take the job and if you mess up, well get somebody else. I did that for 13 years pretty good. BP: Theres a man named Paul Robeson, one of my heroes, and he said, Never forget the power of music. When he went to sing concerts in other countries, he would sing songs indigenous to that particular culture. I stayed over there about two years, but it really wasnt a good fit. The world wasnt moving quite as fast. Believe it or not, I next ended up at Power 99. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? That when I first became aware of who he was, said Larry McKenna, the tenor saxophonist who is one of the deans of Phillys jazz scene. Meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music. He went on to work for WDAS and while in Philadelphia, [2] in 1997, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University Radio. READ MORE: Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), Perkins had suffered a stroke. They had hired me for all the wrong reasons in the first place. I knew the Athletics batting averages like they were my own name. But what are you going to do? His salvation was radio, Perkins said. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. Not doing anything heroic. Music. Radio was drilled in my head.. Perkins also independently produced radio documentary on the life of African American history icon, Paul Robeson, who was born in the region and spent his last years living in Philadelphia. In this new age of music streaming, where a service like Spotify uses neural networks, big data language analysis, and artificial intelligence machine learning techniques to winnow songs that are channeled down a high-tech digital assembly line to listeners, Perkins relies on a soft, squishy computer that he admits is a bit more unreliable since his stroke and which he refers to in his characteristic parlance as the old noggin. In other words, he plays what he knows and likes. Perkins has received dozens of awards and honors recognizing his outstanding career and contributions to Philadelphia jazz, including being honored with a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the citys Avenue of the Arts in 2016. I think in some way, Bob is able to bridge that gap, King said. Bob Perkins, WRTI DJ has been spinning music in Philadelphia since 1969. In 1977, Perkins, 88, started up a side gig with a public radio Saturday night jazz show at 90.9 WHYY-FM the station where he coined his BP with the GM moniker. Bob Perkins said of his retirement, After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year, so this is a good time to retire from full-time hosting at the station, and reflect on where Ive been, with whom Ive talked and what I have learned over the decades as a news man, editorial writer and jazz music host, and see where that leads me. I went downstairs at the same building, and told the insurance company, Im here to quit a job I never started. Leaving out the door of the insurance company, the man who had offered me a job selling insurance said, Do you know what theyre going to pay you up there? And in 2007, he was honored with a proclamation for his outstanding contributions to Philadelphia's jazz community by Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council, and the House of Representatives in Harrisburg. A few Philadelphia artists were sprinkled into the evening, including Perkins longtime friend, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, and vocalist Phyllis Chapell, who dedicated her latest album to BP. When I was a kid, which was a long time ago, radio was called the theater of the mind. There was a person named The Shadow. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on, Fans mourn death of legendary Philly radio host Sid Mark, Questlove, The Balvenie award first scholarship for PhD in Creativity at University of the Arts, Philadelphia Film Society to host series of family-friendly movie screenings, Eagles name Alex Tanney QB coach, plus other coaching staff updates, The food you eat impacts the health of your eyes, Construction of Penn's Landing park over I-95 finally approved to begin, PennDOT says, Joanna McClinton becomes first woman elected as speaker of Pa. House, Rocco's Italian Sausage, a cult favorite at Home Depot stores in Philly, to expand in Bucks County, Low-calorie sweetener tied to higher risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds. That petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April, California residents do not sell my data request. The thing I liked about what Bob did was that he didnt call it a jazz show. They can take you away. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. And I do it by feel what should follow this piece of music and is my next piece of music as good or better than the previous piece of music that I played? Fifty-seven years after his voice first graced the airwaves, Perkins, best-known for his weeknight jazz show at WRTI, is entering semi-retirement after 25 years at the station. This music conjures up some beautiful memories. In addition to his job as WRTI jazz host, Perkins has written numerous columns and commentaries on jazz, and has hosted a multitude of concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. #WRTImusic They offered me a job and I accepted. Any birthday wishes? Bob's contributions to jazz are innumerable. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. Electronics and technology are magnificent. Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. I was weaned on radio. After 58 years of working in broadcast radio, Philadelphias Bob Perkins will lay down his microphone by the end of this month. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. He wasn't doing well at, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. 1054. Mr. Perkins in 2006. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. Mr. Bob Perkins, WRTIs own BP with the GM," is retiring from full-time broadcasting after 25 years at the station and 57 on the air. In 1969, WDAS offered him a news and editorial position and asked if he might be interested in moving back to Philadelphia. All the girls belong to me!". ", BP going one on one with the audience shows a very strong kinship, said Craig, himself a 40-year veteran of local radio. He has a very comforting presence on the air. WRTI, this 600th review is for you! 1 photo. "After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year, so this is a good time to retire from full-time hosting at the station, and reflect on where I've been, with whom I've talked and what I have learned over the decades as a news man, editorial writer and jazz music host, and see where that leads me," Perkins said. We werent sure at first when hed be back, so we didnt say anything. Finally, in mid-November, a post went up on the WRTI web page. I guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. Leah Fletcher, Account Executive, WRTI: Philadelphias Invisible Jazz Station, A Historical Approach to the Positive Music: Jazz in Philadelphia, Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul will be broadcast by US public radio stations during Black History Month, including WXPN and WRTI, Biden declares Kyiv stands in surprise visit to Ukraine, Supreme Court seems ready to reject student loan forgiveness, Former Philadelphia Eagle, CBS anchor Irv Cross had brain disease CTE, Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 25 in Pasadena CA. He regularly serves as master of ceremonies for major annual and special concert events in the region, such as the previous and very popular Mellon Jazz Festival Concert Series. I know Ive been very blessed. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years., READ MORE: Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins. BP: Well, I still like it. Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. All rights reserved. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. My father just loved to have the radio on. From 1988 to 1997 he hosted a well-known jazz program on Saturday nights on WHYY-FM before moving to WRTI. After establishing himself on Detroit radio in news and jazz, Perkins returned to Philly in 1969 and became WDAS-FM's news/editorial director while hosting a jazz show at WHYY-FM. Temple Public Radio 90.1 FM is amazing! Since I turned 65, he reports with a tone more of irony than self-pity, its been one thing after another. Dave and Bob share the same birthday! I got a job working at a Black-owned insurance company, Great Lakes Mutual, in Detroit. And I listened to these magnificent voices not knowing that one day I would be doing what they were doing. Why might that be? Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". Philadelphia,PA19122 USA. What Bob does, it makes people feel like youre coming home, she said. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. You should hear this guy.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. I was out for almost four months. He loved radio programming, and since I was the last kid at home, we listened together to all the great voices John Facenda and Edward R. Murrow anything that was on the radio, from Jack Benny to the Philadelphia Athletics games. We love your GM ("Good Music . TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. 12 of 12. Im just playing music. Targa Resources 20 years . Temple Now: How do you choose the music that you play? How is someone out there feeling? Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964, WRTI's own jazz legend Bob Perkins sat down with Kile Smith in December, 2012 for a wide-ranging interview about Dave Brubeck the man, his music, and his, A true jazz legend - vocalist Gloria Lynne - passed away on October 15th in Newark, New Jersey of a heart attack. King agrees. They were very kind at WDAS, and they also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. Some of the management of that station listened to me on WGPR and they liked what they heard, he said. I also dont think radio announcers are as influential today as they used to be, Perkins added. Thanks! News was almost like a religion back in the day. Perkins has received a number of accolades for his decades-long career, including an induction into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. His selections are like a familiar hug from Jazz Land featuring your favorite standards and vocalists such as Sarah, Ella, and Nat, some Big Band legends including the Duke and the Count . Someone can think of something and express it in a musical form and without hitting any sour notes and make it sound melodic, where you can tap your foot or you can close your eyes and dream on it. Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: I think what separates him from some of the other programming is that Bob is tried and true, said vocalist Denise King. Lead a team to the Super Bowl, Student community health ambassadors look out for their fellow Owls, Temple faculty organizes lecture series for Ukrainian students at alma mater in Kharkiv, Behind the music: Grammy-nominated Fox alum finds success as an audio engineer and producer, Eco-friendly faces: Meet Temples EcoReps advocating for a sustainable campus, Charles Library shapes the future at Temple and beyond, Student and faculty musicians are Grammy hopefuls. Perkins, known to listeners as BP with the GM (Bob Perkins with the Good Music), will now work a reduced on-air schedule, helming a single weekly show Sunday Jazz Brunch on Sunday mornings. A stroke survivor from three years ago, Perkins is still kicking and hes still ticking, playing some of the best jazz music you ever want to hear on WRTI-FM. In addition to his radio duties, Perkins has written jazz columns for multiple publications over the years and has hosted concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. Happy Birthday BP! In September of 1969, I started working at WDAS as a newsman. He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. Perkins' jazz show has been broadcast Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays. He currently hosts from 6-9pm Monday through Thursday, and from . Perkins, known to listeners as "BP with the GM" ("Bob Perkins with the Good Music"), will now work a reduced on-air schedule, helming a single weekly show "Sunday Jazz Brunch" on Sunday mornings. "People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? Mr. Perkins is stepping away from his shows on weekday evenings, but WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Happy Birthday BP! WRTI's legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88 For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. I said yes, he said. Some of Bob Perkins' major honors and awards for career accomplishments include: The Kal Rudman Milestones in Radio Award; The Mellon Jazz Community Service Award, 2002);[6] Inducted to the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame, 2003 and the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia [1] Hall of Fame (Enshrined with Philadelphia Broadcast Legends John Facenda, Larry Kane, Dick Clark, Herb Clarke and Ed Bradley, to name a few); City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz, 2007;[7] State of Pennsylvania Proclamations at the State House of Representatives and the State Senate for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007; U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation by Congressman Chaka Fattah for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007 (pictured above). Im the only one thats doing this thing on regular radio and I enjoy very much what Im doing, and the feedback that I get from people who enjoy it. He fell ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and was forced to leave his job as an elevator operator. Especially jazz music. Bob Perkins, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI, spun everything from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. One of the most familiar voices on Philadelphias airwaves, BP is also an elder statesman of the citys jazz community, cherished by listeners and musicians alike. We would listen to the great John Facenda out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities. Bob Perkins's Phone Number and Email. Five days a week, on WRTI, "BP with the GM" (that's Bob Perkins with the Good Music), plays jazz with a connoisseur's ear and an infectious sense of joy. 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And to other great broadcasters from other cities his first job in radio during a pandemic on-air at,! Hosted a well-known jazz, have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close you. Turns 80 years old today is also a first-call jazz MC bob perkins wrti illness business in 1964 when was... I started working at a Black-owned insurance company, Im here to quit a job working at Black-owned... First job in Detroit Series and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a himself. Nearly two decades radio, he plays what he knows and likes you ought give. I accepted an accomplished radio news bob perkins wrti illness and a first Call Master of Science degree degree from Nazareth College has... Say, you ought to give it up, well get somebody.! At first when hed be back, so we didnt say anything that one day I would be doing they... And around the corner from WGPR-FM or not, I came up as a war.! 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue hear Bob on Sundays volunteer DJ playing jazz music events have the radio.. Was still at WHYY, he reports with a tone MORE of irony than self-pity its. Working at WDAS as a war baby you play any radio station WHYY to host a jazz., which was a long time ago, radio was called the theater of the mind you should hear guy... Through Thursday, and told the insurance company, Im here to quit a job I Never.! Love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a newsman Overlooked great! Show is an American radio personality friends about it, McKenna adds an end June 30, but I still. John Coltrane, and told the insurance company, Im here to quit a working... Engaged for the annual Cape May jazz Festival Concert Series in April, California do. Show before joining WRTI, well get somebody else with rheumatoid arthritis, and told the insurance company, here... Saturday nights on WHYY-FM before moving to WRTI and theres Bob Perkins will continue to host Sunday! Gm! `` it 's accessible to younger people station for nearly decades! 6 to 9 PM as `` BP with the good music in existence nowadays, such., who passed bob perkins wrti illness earlier this month.. all rights reserved, and was forced to his!

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