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Gary G. Vercelli

Jazz Music Director

Gary Vercelli knew at an early age that jazz was his passion. "In high school, there was a 24-hour jazz station in Los Angeles, when commercial radio and jazz were not the oxymoron they are today," says Gary.  "I used to listen to that station and think, one day, I'd like to work there." Eventually, he did.  While attending college at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Gary launched his radio career. "After graduating, I worked at KCRW, an NPR affiliate in Santa Monica," he recalls. "While I was there, I coordinated 70 hours of weekly jazz programming and produced a pilot for NPR's Jazz Alive! series."

Gary then accepted a job at KBCA, the commercial jazz station of his high school days. During this time, he also served as the L.A. correspondent for Down Beat magazine and wrote liner notes for leading jazz record labels.

In 1980, Gary moved to Sacramento to serve as Jazz Music Director at KXPR, Capital Public Radio’s original, multi-format station.  For the next 11 years, in addition to supervising the station's jazz programming and concert activity, he produced and hosted Jazz International, a popular nightly jazz program. When CapRadio added its second station, KXJZ, with a jazz and news format in 1991, Gary easily assumed the role of music director. Before the station celebrated its fourth anniversary, Gary was named "Jazz Broadcaster of the Year" by the Gavin Report, a respected, national music industry chart. In 1993, the same publication proclaimed KXJZ "National Jazz Station of the Year."  More recently, Gary was recognized by Jazz Week with the prestigious Duke Dubois Humanitarian Award, acknowledging his lifetime of achievement and service to the community.

CapRadio’s program schedules have changed over the years, meeting the community’s growing demand for more NPR and NPR-style news programming.  The “Excellence in Jazz” sound established by Gary nearly four decades ago – a sound he continues to refine -- is now featured Sunday through Friday evenings, following a full day of classical music on KXPR, KXSR, and KXJS.  Gary continues to host EIJ three nights a week,  along with Acid Jazz, Saturdays on KXJZ.  He also programs CapRadio’s 24-hour digital music service, www.JazzStream.org.

When he's not on the air or previewing music for the station, Gary enjoys visiting the Bay Area, cooking, and teaching Iyengar yoga, which he has studied for more than 30 years. "I also have an interest in fine Italian wines, which is diametrically opposed to my yoga interest," he laments with a grin. "I guess I'm a classic example of east meets west."

 

 Email Gary G. Vercelli

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  • Acid Jazz

    Old school, New school...the soulful experience of Acid Jazz

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  • Excellence in Jazz

    The Giants of Mainstream Jazz plus today's most exciting straight-ahead emerging artists with contemporary vocals and spices of Blues and Latin Jazz.

    Stories by Gary G. Vercelli

  • Courtesy of the artist

    Joe Gilman: A Sacramento Jazz Master Explores A Classic Live Recording

    August 5, 2022

    Joe Gilman will perform two shows at Twin Lotus Thai restaurant on Sunday, August 7.

  • AP Photo/Rick Pedroncelli

    The Hammond Organ and Jazz: A Soulful Combination

    July 8, 2022

    Since the 1960s, the Hammond organ has been essential in some of the most popular and soulful jazz recordings. Let’s examine the history and appeal of this iconic instrument.

  • Courtesy of the artist

    Michael Wolff: Jazz Innovator, Life Optimist

    May 16, 2022

    Remember jazz pianist Michael Wolff? He's best known as Arsenio Hall's sidekick and music director. Wolff has overcome many physical challenges and details it all in his recently published memoir, "On That Note."

  • Madison Clark

    Spencer Day does Broadway his way on 'Broadway by Day'

    March 30, 2022

    Spencer Day's new album celebrates the alliance of musical theater and jazz. CapRadio's Gary Vercelli spoke with him about the new album, his recent collaborators and how he came to love jazz.

  • Courtesy of the Artist

    Jazz music that got us through another year of the pandemic

    December 22, 2021

    CapRadio’s jazz hosts share their top picks for jazz music that came out in 2021.

  • Courtesy of Veronica Swift

    Veronica Swift: Tradition in transition

    November 16, 2021

    At age 27, Veronica Swift has established herself as an elite jazz vocalist. She can swing and scat like nobody else. She’ll be performing at the Mondavi Center Nov. 21.

  • Chapman & Co. Management

    Interview: Saxophonist Mindi Abair In Her Own Words

    August 30, 2021

    Saxophonist Mindi Abair is a two-time Grammy nominee who has worked with artists as diverse as Duran Duran, Lalah Hathaway, the Backstreet Boys and Aerosmith.

  • Gary G. Vercelli / CapRadio

    Interview: Tower Of Power’s Roger Smith In His Own Words

    August 25, 2021

    Sacramento keyboard master Roger Smith has been a key member of Tower of Power’s rhythm section for over two decades. Nine years ago, Smith and his longtime friend Mike Smolich also founded Bump City Winery.

  • Courtesy of CTI Records

    Ear To Ear: A Decade Of Distinguished Music With CTI Records

    March 2, 2021

    Gary G. Vercelli highlights four notable recordings from Creed Taylors’ CTI Records, featuring Paul Desmond, Joe Farrell, Freddie Hubbard and Jim Hall.

  • Courtesy of Mack Avenue Music Group

    Ear To Ear: Jingle Bell Jazz

    December 1, 2020

    Gary Vercelli has been the keeper of CapRadio’s database of holiday jazz music for many years. He’s here to share some of his favorite new releases as well as some classics from years gone by.

 

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