An Interview w/ Michael Tozzi

The Chronicle First off, I would like to personally thank you Michael for all you do to keep the dream and the music alive. As I’ve watched you over the years I have learned that you're as close to a real Philly hero as it get’s. The Chronicle How did you get into Broadcasting and how long have you been behind the microphone? ​ Michael As with some people, it was by mistake! I was working to save money to attend the School of Visual Arts in NYC when a friend I worked with at a 'radio school'​ in NYC called from a station he was working for in Starke, Florida and said the guy was hiring people with no experience. So being a child of the 60's, I thought, "Why not?" and moved to Florida...and that was the continuation of my love affair with radio! The Chronicle No one starts out being a Smooth Jazz DJ so how did you get so passionate about this music? Michael It was, as with most people​ something you grow into as you mature (get older). I was in the Progressive Rock radio in Jacksonville, Florida at WPDQ-FM and WGVL-FM in Gainesville in '74-'75 and then at WIOQ from '76-'87 until they changed the format to Oldies! The Chronicle I have to ask this next question. In your opinion, what is the state of affairs with the jazz community in Philadelphia? Michael ​ As a large city, Philadelphia should have a full time traditional jazz station and classical station​ to serve the community, which is what this form of communication is all about. We're lucky at JJZ that after 5 years of trying to get smooth jazz back on the 'radio,' we were able to land on 1480am, 106.1 HD2, (worldwide) WJJZ.com and on the free iHeartRadio App. For the month of July we have 275,000+ of Time Spent Listening (or TSL) on the STREAM, which is the 2nd most listened to Clear Channel station in Philadelphia, behind WDAS-FM! 122,000+ on the Internet and 153,000+ on mobile devices! That's huge, and shows the direction the audience is moving. And as the owner of ijazzglobal.com since 2008, it makes me VERY happy to see that consumers are finally embracing the internet and 'alternative' means of enjoying their music! The Chronicle What do you think is needed to draw people to, or back to, jazz in Philadelphia? Michael ​ We need the audience to NOT just SAY! They say they want the music back (They would even call my house and ask my kids to tell their dad to bring the station back); but when they have the chance to have it return, they don't support it and that is a sure way to make ANYTHING go way!​ The Chronicle After so many years and three attempts to bring Smooth Jazz back to the main stream of Philly radio, what changes have you made with jjz 1480AM and 106.1 HD2? Michael ​ We, like I suggested for years, are being true to the Smooth Jazz listener by (and I don't program JJZ except for my shows) playing...Smooth Jazz​! We got into trouble in the past at 106.1 and 97.5 by playing Urban AC/R&B to be as the consultants would say, 'Big Box.' But as we did that (and we fought hard against that) we lost our identity because we became too close to DAS and RNB, and that was a big mistake. The Chronicle You a very busy man Mr. Tozzi, with jjz, ijazzglobal, Warmdaddy’s, and local festivals like The Endless Summer series. What do people need to know to support your efforts? Michael ​ We need for people to financially support Smooth Jazz. Go to see shows, don't sit and watch TV. Go to station events, don't just say you will.​ The station's back! So if you have a business and you want to reach THIS audience that loves Smooth Jazz (and you know what that audience is: 6 figure income, some empty nesters, college educated, disposable income, etc.), what are you waiting for? Call me and advertise to the people you see at all the events you go to! Warmdaddy's, Penn's Landing, Wiggins Park, Keswick Theatre, Firehouse Cafe... The Chronicle What would you tell young players that want to get into Smooth Jazz? Michael Do it!!!! There are some of the most amazing and talented players that have played on projects by popular artists that you probably don't realize: like David Sanborn (Rolling Stones), Larry Carlton (Steely Dan), Lee Ritenour (everyone), Bob James (G.W. Jr./everyone), Mindi Abair (Duran Duran), Andy Snitzer (Bob Dylan), Boney James (Morris Day), Rick Braun (Sade). Is that enough?​