The KKJZ thread

[James]

I imagine that a few of you are aware of the long running thread pertaining to the conspicuous decline of L.A.'s jazz station KKJZ FM on the AAJ BB. Recently, a threat from the station in the form of a cease and desist order has compelled the moderators at AAJ to close the thread -- and it will disappear sometime tomorrow. Regardless of whether or not any lawsuit brought by KKJZ would have legs, the website cannot afford the time/$$/distraction involved in dealing with potential litigation. And of course KKJZ knew that when they presented their (likely hollow) threat involving a charge of libel.

This punkish move on the part of the station it is essentially without consequence, since the entity deciding which management group will take over the station (the CSULB Foundation) has been following the thread for some time, and we've had ample opportunity to make our case and disseminate important information. That being said, it would be useful to have a thread dedicated to discussion of this very important issue on a jazz radio BB -- and hence I'm restarting the thread here at Organissimo.

For any L.A. jazz fans who are unaware, talented KLON alums Ken Borgers & Ken Poston (The Los Angeles Jazz Institute) have submitted an application for station management. Many fans (including myself) feel that the LAJI would do the best job in rebuilding the station and returning KKJZ to it's former status as a credible jazz messenger. FYI -- jazz radio "mogul" Saul Levine has also submitted a bid.

The California State University Long Beach Foundation will be rendering a decision on who'll take over the station sometime in Sept. or Oct. If you have strong feelings on this issue, and would like to share them with the Foundation -- here's their address:

CSULB Foundation

Attn: Robert Behm

6300 State University Drive #332

Long Beach, CA 90815

If you'd like to lend your support to Ken Borgers and Ken Poston you can contact them through the website of The Los Angeles Jazz Institute.

Edited August 21, 2006 by James