Jackson State University’s public radio station, WJSU 88.5FM, now airs one of its most popular programs on the new HBCU Sirius XM channel.
Launched November 14 and airing on station 142, the HBCU Sirius XM channel is powered by Howard University.
The WJSU program, Jazz Reflections, hosted by Gerard Howard, presents a spectrum of the traditional pioneers of jazz like Ella Fitzgerald, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Dinah Washington, and Duke Ellington. The program airs Fridays at 2 p.m. CST and is repeated throughout the week. It presents rare recordings from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
“We are extremely proud to have been asked to be part of the brand new HBCU Network,” said Gina Carter-Simmers, WJSU general manager. “This partnership gives WJSU the opportunity to expand our reach to Sirius’ more than 20 million subscribers. The opportunity to present Jackson State and WJSU on a national stage will hopefully be a tool to boost enrollment for the university, increase funding for the station, and help preserve the legacy of jazz. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
A native of New Orleans, Gerard Howard grew up in an environment where jazz flourished. In his adolescence years, Howard was a heavy listener of local jazz radio station WWOZ 90.7FM and cites the late Bob French and Mike Gourie as his primary influences in jazz radio broadcasting. His laid back delivery has been successful in turning new ears to the music and garnering a wide variety fans and supporters for WJSU.
HBCU Sirius XM will also feature content from Hampton University in Hampton, Va.; American Baptist College in Nashville, Tenn.; Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.; Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas and Tennessee State University in Nashville.