Legends of Jazz may be seen in the greater Los Angeles area, but not on The Main PBS station. Apparently it will be aired on KOCE (Channel 50 out of Huntington Beach) Sundays at 11 PM and maybe on KVCR (San Bernardino), Tuesdays at 8 PM, although I cannot find confirmation on KVCR’s web site.
My friend Valerie sent me this email:
“How utterly maddening and embarrassing that KCET has opted not to carry this! And I just received my renewal notice from them. I may have to include a note as well as write a letter and call them! On the other hand, I loved the profile they did the other night on Eugene O’Neill…”
Bottom line is that we have to support public television AND let them know what it is that we want to see. If your station is not carrying this series, you might want to write to them. Here’s Valerie’s letter to KCET:
I want to see LEGENDS OF JAZZ on TV!
I am delighted to hear that jazz is returning to television in the new series, “Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis†(see cover story in April issue of Down Beat magazine). And PBS is the perfect station for it. I’m eager to watch the program and to encourage many friends who are jazz fans to tune in to this weekly program.
But, I am very disappointed to learn that you are not carrying this important series.
As a jazz fan and educator, I’m eager to see more jazz on television. Jazz is an art form that deserves to be better represented on television, and this program perfectly addresses this need for more jazz programming. The popularity of the Ken Burn’s Jazz series proves that there is great interest in this music and the artists who make it. “Legends of Jazz†is the perfect follow-up to that documentary series since it profiles living artists, both legendary and up-and-coming. I ask that you present this important series in a prime slot so it can reach the same audience that tuned in to the Burns series.
Your station is important to me and I tune in to see programming I can’t see anywhere else – a series like this one, for example. “Legends of Jazz†is the first major television series devoted to jazz in 40 years, and I expect my public television station to present this important American music. I cannot imagine why you would not carry this important series, and present it on a day and time when the majority of your viewers can watch it.
Thank you.
Thanks, Valerie.