It is a passion that started when he was young, and Ed Bride has carried his love for jazz just about everywhere he's gone. In the process, he's enriched his own communities, whether it was at his alma mater Villanova decades ago, or in a movement in the Berkshires that has brought world-class talent here as well as cultivating young musicians. The vision Ed had for a lighting up the Berkshires with jazz has led to a staple organization, Berkshires Jazz. Also, Pittsfield and the Berkshires have now become a place of jazz lore with moments between the late Phil Woods and his protege Grace Kelly, the late Dave Brubeck rehearsing with musicians from Pittsfield High School and so much more. In this episode, Ed talks about how he fell in love with jazz first hearing the music of Stan Kenton, his work with the Villanova Jazz Festival, a Stan Kenton 50th birthday radio show that Ed hosted back then (we've got clips!), how he met his wife, Marguerite (Marge), the music he plays at night on the piano, a wonderful anecdote on how the late Ellen Ruberto set the tone for starting the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival, the contributions of many passionate volunteers and board members, infusing jazz into the schools, developing young jazz talent and more.

I hope you will enjoy my conversation with Ed Bride!