Boston jazz radio takes another hit: Eric Jackson's hours cut

Music radio - specifically jazz - in Boston just took another big hit. Beginning on July 2, WGBH will begin to make changes that will drastically reduce the hours of both its locally-produced and nationally syndicated jazz shows. Specifically, Eric Jackson's evening jazz show - currently heard Monday through Thursday from 8 pm to midnight, and Sundays from 10 to midnight - is moving to weekends only, 9 pm to midnight. Local host Steve Schwartz, who had been playing jazz on Friday nights, will no longer be on air. What's more, nationally syndicated, San Francisco-based jazz host Bob Parlocha, now heard in the overnight hours seven nights a week, will be broadcast on weekends only. The weeknight hours will be given over to news and public affairs.

For jazz fans, the hit that really hurts is the crimping of Jackson, who has been broadcasting at WGBH since 1981 and is a fixture of the local scene. Not only does Jackson have impeccable taste in all styles of acoustic and electric jazz, but his smooth, genial delivery and knowledgeable commentary have been a boon. Over the years, by his count, he's done 3000 interviews with local and national musicians as well as hosting live performances in the studios. Similarly, Schwartz is a longtime presence on the Boston scene with a deep wealth of personal knowledge.

In a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Jackson emphasized the importance of locally-based jazz programming that's "in the moment," and connected locally, can comment on coming concerts or other events in the jazz world. "If, heaven forbid, Sonny Rollins died, [the pre-recorded syndicated host] is not going to do anything about it. He's not going to mention it, let alone give you a Sonny Rollins special. Or if a major figure in the Boston jazz scene passed away, you're not likely to hear that either."

There is jazz being played locally various college and independent stations, but as Jackson pointed out,  none of them has the presence - either in signal strength, local connections, or number of programming hours - to be "the jazz station" in Boston. Which, even with the gradual erosion of hours over the years, WGBH has become.

Jackson posted the news on his Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, and the reaction from fans online was immediate. In an email, jazz publicist Sue Auclair pointed out, "These programs are extremely important to proliferation of the music, the artists, the jazz clubs, and the jazz festivals in the region and all related businesses, sponsorships, etc." A Facebook group has already been formed, "Save Eric in the Evening Group."

However, it's unlikely that such a group will change any decisions at WGBH. Some years ago, a similar effort was made to save Ron Della Chiesa's Music America program, to no avail. What's more, the erosion of music in favor of news and public affairs at public radio stations has been a steady trend over the years, nationally and locally. WBUR, which used to have robust classical and jazz programming, is now entirely news and public affairs. And WGBH has ceded more and more music programming, discontinuing both its blues and folks shows as well as cutting jazz hours.