courtesy of WJZZ
The warm glow of dim lights bathed the stage at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Detroit’s oldest jazz club. Musicians tuned their instruments, conversations hummed over clinking glasses, and an unmistakable energy filled the room. The city had gathered not just for a performance but for a revival, a tribute to WJZZ, the legendary jazz radio station that once defined Detroit’s sound 66 years ago.
As drummer Aisha Ellis and her quartet started their soulful set from her new album Luck or Favor, the rhythm felt like a steady heartbeat. It was a moment that echoed WJZZ’s journey: once a powerhouse of jazz radio, silenced for over two decades, now reborn and streaming to the world. After years of dormancy, WJZZ isn’t just remembering its past; it’s reclaiming its legacy, amplifying the future of jazz, and proving that the spirit of Detroit’s music scene never truly fades.
For decades, WJZZ had been the pulse of the city’s jazz scene, a north star for musicians and fans alike. But in 1996, the music stopped. Detroit’s legendary jazz station, once the highest-rated in the nation, had gone silent. That silence lasted 23 years until 2015, when Rodger Penzabene Jr. reignited WJZZ’s legacy as an internet streaming station.
What began as a local institution in 1950, founded by Dr. Haley Bell, Dr. Wendell Cox, and Dr. Robert Bass, has now evolved into a global force, reaching listeners worldwide. More than just a revival, WJZZ’s return is a declaration: jazz is timeless, and its legacy will not fade and it was birthed right here in the Motown. Through streaming, podcasting, and cultural initiatives, WJZZ is not just playing music; it’s writing the next chapter of jazz history.
“Call letters became iconic, and no respectful jazz artist was ignorant to WJZZ’s impact,” Penzabene said.
“You had to come to Detroit, interview here, and get your records on WJZZ. Many notable artists, such as Michael Franks, for example, come to mind. He says that WJZZ helped launch his career to be popular, and there are many others, but that’s what is so impactful and legendary of a station.”
Rodger Penzabene Jr. courtesy of WJZZ
In the early years, before becoming WJZZ, WCHB was more of a multi-format station, playing various genres of music to cater to a diverse audience. But as the jazz movement grew in stature, the station’s focus shifted toward jazz, gradually carving out a niche in the Detroit radio market. Jazz had long been at the heart of African American musical identity, and the station became a cultural touchstone for jazz lovers across the country.
By the early 1970s, WCHB’s founders realized that the station could do more for jazz by fully committing to the genre. So, in 1974, the station underwent a bold rebranding; it became WJZZ, a name that encapsulated the essence of jazz music while symbolizing the evolution of African American influence in the media landscape.
The new direction of WJZZ embraced jazz in all its forms, from big band to bebop, from swing to fusion. The station became a sanctuary for jazz enthusiasts and musicians alike, offering an unparalleled platform for the genre. But it was more than just a station; it was a north star in every sense of the word for African American voices and culture.
As WJZZ became the go-to station in the 1970s and 1980s, it played an essential role in promoting jazz and supporting the careers of veteran jazz artists struggling to find airplay in the competitive music industry. It also created a platform for up-and-coming artists.
Despite the station’s success, the ever-changing media landscape posed challenges. By the 1990s, WJZZ faced increasing competition from commercial radio and the rise of the internet. As jazz became more mainstream and the media attention started to diminish, the station’s influence faded. The question of how to preserve its legacy and reintroduce jazz to a new generation was now a priority.
Enter the current head of WJZZ, Penzabene, whose name is synonymous with the station’s remarkable revival. With no prior broadcasting or media training background, the new leader took an unorthodox approach to rejuvenating WJZZ. Understanding the importance of tradition and the need for innovation, the revival was built organically. Rather than re-entering the competitive FM radio market, the station pivoted to online streaming.
Penzabene highlighted an old friend who sparked his idea to take on the enormous task of bringing WJZZ back to life, but it was a group of college students who helped him “slam dunk logic.”
“I was pursuing going back on FM radio, but I met some young college people who happened to be in media,” Penzabene said.
“They overheard me talking, and they asked, ‘Why do you want to go back on FM? That’s dead.’ They explained online is the way to go. However, the two things that captured me the most were the economics versus trying to do the FCC route and the coverage. So that was slam dunk logic.”
Streaming platforms offered the perfect solution: they allowed WJZZ to bypass traditional broadcasting barriers, reaching an audience far beyond the constraints of local radio waves. Today, WJZZ streams 24/7, accessible from anywhere in the world, bringing jazz’s soulful rhythms and intricate harmonies to a global audience. The move to online streaming was about reaching more people and bringing jazz to places where it had previously struggled to take root.
The decision to move online was also strategic in targeting a younger audience, including the hip-hop generation. Hip-hop, which has deep roots in jazz, has long sampled and incorporated jazz elements into its sound. The station is now working to bridge the gap between these two genres, showcasing jazz and hip hop’s rich, interconnected history. This isn’t just about playing old records; it’s about creating a dialogue between the past and present, bringing jazz to a new generation of listeners who might not have been exposed to the genre otherwise.
As the station’s online presence grows, the vision for WJZZ continues to expand. One of the key initiatives is the development of podcasting. The goal is to provide listeners with in-depth discussions, interviews with jazz legends, music analysis, and explorations of jazz history. By offering engaging, informative content, WJZZ plans to become a hub for jazz education, ensuring that the genre’s rich history is preserved and passed on to future generations.
WJZZ’s ambitions don’t end with audio content. Plans are already in motion to expand into film production, with the goal of producing documentaries and features that explore the untold stories of jazz pioneers, the evolution of the genre, and its cultural impact. The station’s leadership recognizes that telling these stories through film will help bring greater visibility to the art form and provide a more immersive way for audiences to connect with the music.
“You’re not going to hear the music we play on Real Jazz , Watercolors or any other popular stations. You’re not going to hear the same song five times a day for a month straight,” Penzabene said.
“We’ll play the classics, but you’ll get bands like The Three Sounds, Gil, Scott Heron, Sun Ra, Rosco Mitchell, griot, Galaxy, people you wouldn’t even have heard of unless you’re a true, bonafide jazz connoisseur. So I’m proud of that.”
WJZZ is making a comeback, and it’s not just about staying in business; it’s about bringing back an important part of history. The founders wanted to create a space for African American voices, highlighting jazz music as a key part of cultural identity. They aimed to make sure that people in the future would recognize and appreciate the important role that African American musicians have played in the music world.
Penzabene understands how important it is to teach people about jazz and to keep this music style alive and exciting. As music around the world changes, WJZZ is committed to making sure that jazz continues to be enjoyed by everyone. The station plays both classic jazz and new styles, connecting the history of jazz with what it can become in the future. This shows the creative and pioneering spirit that jazz is known for.
“We are an independent boutique station for jazz connoisseurs. We’re independent, and it’s just a crew of hustlers who determine that we’re going to do it our way, independently, and do it here (Detroit),” Penzabene said.
WJZZ isn’t just about music; it’s also dedicated to helping its community. The station actively supports local charities, especially those that assist underprivileged neighborhoods and offer scholarships to young musicians looking to pursue their dreams. The founders of WJZZ valued giving back, and that spirit is still very much alive today. Through educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and supporting local artists, WJZZ aims to uplift the African American community and celebrate the rich history of jazz music.
“Part of the new direction we’re going in I’m privileged to be in partnership with Black United Fund of Michigan. Ken Donaldson, the leader and CEO over there, and he’s one of my mentor advisors,”
“Helping disenfranchised Black and Brown youth, that’s a passion for me to support all youth, but especially the inner city, underserved kids. And we’re doing some cool things at the broadcast house. I plan to have an open house soon.”
For more information and to stream WJZZ live, visit wjzzdetroitradio.com
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