Production & Marketing:
Jazz at Lincoln Center Radio with Ed Bradley

(continued from the JALC Radio page)

I'd had a passing acquaintance with Ed Bradley since the mid-seventies in the District of Columbia. I was at work for NPR and he for CBS covering the White House. We both lived on Capitol Hill, not too far from what was still called "the H Street riot corridor" from the events of 1967. Somehow living on the edge of the Hill caught a rebellious spirit that came in with the Carter administration, carried through the DC's proper corridors by Ed's trim, but distinct Afro.

Later I'd get to see another side of the serious newsman at New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival, bobbing and tapping at stageside to Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles. Then there was the night on the Riverboat President, when the Nevilles took the stage, joined by a fifth beret-topped, tambourine shaking brother, "Teddy Badley." Definitely not Walter Cronkite.

This Philadelphia journalist, steeped in the spirit of Paris, Vietnam and Washington, seasoned in Detroit and New Orleans, brought qualities so right to Jazz at Lincoln Center and our radio program that we couldn't have completely articulated them. Years later public radio listeners would, in a study of 'core values' they expected from our work: "Substance, Curiosity, Credibility, Accuracy, Honesty, Respect for listeners, and Purpose." The listeners also identified qualities of the heart and spirit: "Pleasure inspired by the music, Connection to history, Pride in contribution to American Culture, Humor and Generosity (the music is the star)."

How could our mission and our audience's expectations be better expressed than in those nine words? "This is Jazz at Lincoln Center. I'm Ed Bradley" We will miss Ed deeply. But I'll hear his joy and spirit in each of our repeat programs, and be inspired by his qualities in every new show we create.

                       --Steve Rathe

--Steve Rathe, David Goren
      Simon Rentner, Lauren Krenzel, Saundra Palmer-Grassi
                      Matthew Payne, Andrew Rosenblum
                                   And the entire JALC Radio Crew