WLFM-LP, Chicago’s Smooth 87.7 FM, Launches New Morning Show

Chicago’s Smooth 87.7FM, WLFM-LP, announces the launch of its new morning show.  Veteran drive time radio personality Sandy Kovach, most recently at Smooth Jazz-formatted WVMV Detroit, will host AM drive, 6AM to 9AM, Monday through Friday, beginning January 3, 2011.  Ms. Kovach will be paired with superstar saxophonist Kenny G, who will contribute features and additional content every morning.  Pat Kelley, SVP/ General Manager, states, “The establishment of 87.7FM as a major radio station in Chicago continues, and the addition of Sandy and Kenny G to morning is a very exciting next step. Please join me welcoming them to the 87.7FM family.”

Ms. Kovach is thrilled about the opportunity:  “What an honor to be paired with someone like Kenny G.  I’ve been such a fan for years, I’m still pinching myself.  It’s also going to be so cool being on 87.7, an amazing station in one of the top music cities in the world.  I’m looking forward to making lots of new friends.”

We reached Kenny G, a recent Grammy nominee for his latest CD Heart and Soul, on his current holiday tour.  He gave us his thoughts:  “I’m super excited to be spending my weekday mornings with Sandy.  I love Chicago so much and truly love the idea of being on the air in Chicago every weekday morning.”

WLFM Program Director Rick O’Dell reveals he has been a fan of Sandy Kovach for awhile:  “I’ve followed her career very closely going back to the days when she was a key member of the team that turned WVMV into a Smooth Jazz powerhouse in the early 2000s.  Like me, I’m sure our listeners will embrace what Sandy brings to mornings:   a genuinely bright and upbeat personality along with a solid knowledge of our music.  And having a musician of the stature of Kenny G on the morning show team will be a tremendous asset.”

Welcome Paul Wertico!

Renowned Musician Paul Wertico Launches New Show on 87.7

Chicago’s Smooth Jazz station, WLFM 87.7, announces a collaboration with critically-acclaimed drummer Paul Wertico on a new radio show, “Paul Wertico’s Wild World of Jazz.” The show makes its on-air debut Sunday, February 14, at 9:00 p.m.
“Wild World of Jazz” is a two-hour showcase of modern and traditional jazz across all its styles and forms. Each program will feature a mix of classic tracks and best-kept-secrets, legendary artists and local heroes, live and in-studio recordings, new releases, and one-of-a-kind gems from Paul’s private collection. In Paul’s words, “We’ll be playing everything from Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five to The Bad Plus, Bessie Smith to Kurt Elling, Joao Gilberto to Karim Ziad, and all points in between.” Moreover, Paul’s role as Assistant Professor and Head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University will allow him to tap into music performed by his students.
According to the Program Director of 87.7, Rick O’Dell, “Paul Wertico’s musical pedigree is unmatched. Add in his genuine enthusiasm, down-to-earth personality and encyclopedic knowledge across multiple genres of music, and we have the essential ingredients for an entertaining show on straightahead jazz.”
O’Dell continues, “Jazz, being an improvisational idiom, can be a bit challenging to those of us who grew up on Top 40. What makes Paul unique is that he’s able to draw on his skills as a jazz educator to make the music accessible and understandable to even my untrained ears.”
Paul Wertico has earned seven Grammy Awards in a career spanning four decades. He taught himself to play the drums in his teens. By age 15 he was performing professionally in rock and jazz bands. In 1983 he began an 18-year stint with the Pat Metheny Group in which the band recorded several gold albums and received top rankings in numerous magazine polls. He served on the faculty of the percussion and jazz studies programs at Northwestern University for 16 years before taking a full-time position at Roosevelt.
Praise for Paul from critics over the years has been frequent and colorful. He has been described as “a restless innovator,” “a master of drumming insanity” as well as “a genius of the sticks.” A Chicago native, he lives with his wife, Barbara Unger-Wertico, in Skokie. He can be found online at www.PaulWertico.com.

WELCOME RICK O'DELL!

Legendary Chicago Smooth Jazz radio personality Rick O’Dell is the new Program Director and Midday Personality at WLFM – 87.7FM Chicago’s exclusive Smooth Jazz station.



Pat Kelley, SVP/General Manager of WLFM-LP is pleased to make the announcement official “Based on direction of the station and the windy city’s enthusiastic response to 87.7FM, Rick was the natural choice to take the programming reins of 87.7FM as we continue to build out the local Smooth Jazz brand in Chicago. His 20 plus years in the format along with his passion and deep understanding of contemporary jazz music made him the right person.” Pat also commented on his return to the airways…”Rick O’Dell had been a staple in middays for many years on WNUA…I’m sure I share Chicago’s excitement in welcoming him back on the air at 87.7FM.” Rick is expected to begin his midday show after the first of the year.



Rick is best known for his 20 years as the midday personality, as well as the pioneering host of the Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch on WNUA prior to their change to Spanish Pop. Rick also served as program director of WNUA in 2008. Since May, 2009, Rick was the Operations Manager at Accuradio.



Rick shared his excitement as well… “Formats don't often get a second chance, so I must give credit to Pat Kelley and Venture Technologies Group for their faith in the future of Smooth Jazz in Chicago. Pat and I worked together during the heyday of WNUA, and I'm thrilled to be part of his new team at WLFM. I also look forward to reconnecting with the most loyal and passionate listeners in Chicago when I'm back on the midday show.”



For any questions…..please call Pat Kelley directly at 847-446-8774 x88 or email him at pat@wlfm877.com.