All That Jazz

It's not just the record companies that are hurting in this economy.

KCSM 91.1 FM in San Mateo is the only 24/7 jazz station in the country, but since it's run through a local community college, it's feeling the crunch of California's budget crisis. The commercial-free station with the world's largest jazz music archive needs $40,000 as soon as possible to stay afloat.

Fortunately, listeners and artists are coming through for them!

According to their website, the station has already raised over $34,000 from listener donations and other efforts, and a pair of benefit concerts this Tuesday (tomorrow) at famed jazz house Yoshi's in Oakland could put them over the top. These "Close the Gap" fundraisers — featuring local pianists Denny Zeitlin, Jon Jang and Taylor Eigsti — will perform sets at 8 and 10 p.m. with proceeds from the $50 tickets going to KCSM. If both shows sell out, the station stays on the dial.

Regarding the artists themselves, Zeitlin is the elder statesman of the group, having scored several films for Columbia Pictures — including Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Jang, who's worked with legendary drummer Max Roach (Duke Ellington, Miles Davis), is also a leader among Asian-American jazz musicians. Eigsti is the newcomer but still a heralded rising star. To donate to the station, call 800-477-5276 or visit their website (where you can also listen to online music streams). For more information on the show or to purchase tickets, call Yoshi's at 510-238-9200 or visit their website. Yoshi's is located in Jack London Square in Oakland at 510 Embarcadero West.

Photo of Jon Hammond on the air by Laterent2000 courtesy of Flickr.