Jazz and America

Hailing from New York, piano man Michael Kramer came down to Orlando as more than just your average jazz fan; as an educator and performer, he sure has left his mark.

High school band veteran Shelli Browning loves everything jazz. A fan of names like Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and David Sanborn, Shelli knows all about the music she loves!

Gerald Law II is a jazzman who not only lives and breathes music - but forms the backbone of it as a drummer. Gerald gives a musician's insight into the story of jazz.

Pianist Andrew Yuska, winner of the Central Florida Jazz Society Scholarship, tells us about his experiences performing in band and what jazz means to him.

Robyn Austin, former host of WUCF's Jazz Most Wanted, shares her vast knowledge and stories of the music she loves- jazz!

The first episode of Jazz and America kicks off with UCF's Director of Jazz Studies and host of Jazz and The American Spirit on 89.9 WUCF Jazz - Jeff Rupert.

Kayonne Riley catches up with Grammy award winning keyboardist Jeanine McAdams who founded Divas of Jazz and can be seen this weekend at the 13th Annual Mayor's Jazz in the Park on March 8! She recalls anecdotes about working with Prince, Janet Jackson, Jacqueline Jones and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis...and how gospel has always been her guide.

She came into our station to speak on her love for the Orlando scene, how Michelle Mailhot played a huge role in her studies and how she has harnessed the process of songwriting. From her first EP in 2015 to her latest release "Glory" in 2025 - a lot has happened in ten years. We love getting to spotlight the amazing artists here in our city, and so does Hannah. She tells us about Song Stringer Presents and her gratitude for places like Judson's Live.

Kayonne Riley speaks with Matt Catingub ahead of WUCF FM's 45th anniversary 'Jazz That Rocks' event.

Jesse Morgado sits down with the legendary George Benson whose career spans over 60 years. This ten-time Grammy winner is a guitarist and singer/songwriter who has transcended jazz, blues, soul, pop, funk, r&b and more. His album 'Breezin' is one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. He is one of the greatest artists of our time and a NEA jazz master.