About Russell Perry

Russell Perry became a dedicated jazz listener while an announcer on WTJU Charlottesville during college. In the company of other young explorers, the world of recorded jazz revealed itself to him. After a fruitful career as an architect focussed on sustainable design, he has resumed his radio activities. The culmination of over a decade of reading and careful listening was his epic series Jazz at 100—the history of jazz recordings in 100 one-hour programs.

What is your first radio-related memory?

My childhood was spent listening to Top 40 radio and I remember the first time I heard the Beatles in 1964.

How did your fascination with radio start?

I found WBCN Boston, WHFS Bethesda and WGTB Georgetown University during high school and was hooked on free-form album-oriented radio. It was an easy step into the jazz world from there.

What radio shows were a fan of, and why?

Three announcers at WHFS stand out in my memory, Weasel (yes, really), Damian and Cerphe. They exposed me to so much new music and pointed out associations between tracks that I wasn't listening for. My capacity for listening, hearing and creating aural synapses grew from their example.

When did your jazz radio career start?

As a first-year in college, the student radio station, WTJU, was in the basement of my dorm, so I moved in.

Did you have a mentor or you are a self-made host?

For many years, my travel schedule precluded much broadcasting, but I kept my hand in through listening to and visiting with Dave (Professor Bebop) Rogers, Friday nights from 11 -1.

Do you recall the first album/song you ever presented on the radio?

Hard to say, but for a couple of years in college, I followed a program called "The Achievement of Giuseppe Verdi" (where I heard the last 10 minutes of everything Verdi ever wrote.) I led off my show with