What are the names of the themes used on BIG BAND JUMP?
The theme used at the end of the program is the one most listeners ask about. It's titled LI'L DARLIN'. The mid-theme, heard at the end of the first hour and the start of the second, is CUTE, a tune often used in dance acts, and the opening theme is KID FROM RED BANK. All three were written and arranged by Neal Hefti for Count Basie. The versions used on BBJ are from the '70s TIME/LIFE LP albums of reproductions of originals by Billy May.
Can we buy copies of specific BIG BAND JUMP programs?
Stringent copyright laws prevent us from providing copies of the programs, but several listeners record the shows either off the air or off the internet. We were surprised and gratified to discover some listeners even exchange cassettes of programs they may have missed, and one listener phoned us to say he has hundreds of BBJs in his cassette library.
Why don't you list the stations where we can hear BIG BAND JUMP in the newsletter?
It takes up too much room and is too repetitive, but they ARE listed at this website. Click on BIG BAND JUMP and then click on the radio icon to bring up the page of listings by state and city, indicating day, time, call letters and dial position. (We attempt to keep the list up-to-date, but there are occasional changes in time due to sports or special events.)
Why isn't BIG BAND JUMP on in every city?
A) Some cities don't have an Adult Standard station, and in this day of tightly-formatted programming, only stations with a format that will fit BBJ will put it on. Examples are: a Washington, DC area station programmed BBJ for years, but then decided to change their format to talk, precluding the use of BBJ; a Los Angeles station which ran BBJ switched to sports/talk: a prominent New York City station exchanged their Adult Standard format
for children's programming provided by the Disney Corporation. In some cases (as in the New York metro area) a suburban station with the proper format has provided adequate coverage. In some instances, cities have no stations serving the Adult Standard audience.
B) Even if a station IS formatted for Adult Standard, they often rely on a satellite to provide programming to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, frequently operated by a computer with minimal local human involvement. Lack of staff and/or space on their hard-drive often prevents such stations from accepting outside syndicated programming, such as BIG BAND JUMP. (Most stations in major markets these days are owned by giant corporations who control as many as four or five stations in a single city. Without exception, these corporations are least concerned with the Adult Standard station, preferring to put their sales, promotional and programming efforts into news/talk, sports/talk, rock or country & western, for example.)
Where does BIG BAND JUMP come from?
The BBJ studio and office is in Atlanta, Georgia, in a small office building two blocks from famed Peachtree Street.
Why is there a one hour version of BIG BAND JUMP on FM public broadcast stations?
BIG BAND JUMP began its life as a one hour program on a non-commercial FM station, and that led to its use on a few other public broadcast FM stations throughout the nation. BBJ was presented to commercial stations in a two hour format when it began its general syndication in 1986, and that version is heard on the most stations. The subjects of the two hour versions are listed on this website; the one hour version's subject is individual to each of the public broadcast stations, and is usually listed in their individual program guides.
How often is the BBJ NEWSLETTER published?
Six times a year. It began its life as a typed publication with the March-April issue in 1989, but from the second issue on became professionally type-set, including photographs and later a heavy cover sheet. Each issue contains an IN-PERSON INTERVIEW with an important person in the musical world, questions and answers in LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, REVIEWS of books and records to consider, a BIG BAND TRIVIA QUIZ, and in various issues SIDEMAN PROFILES, humorous anecdotes about musicians in SIDELIGHT stories, occasional stories about ballrooms and other features of interest to Big Band enthusiasts. The BBJ NEWSLETTER is $22.95 a year for the yearly six issues, one every other month. Those interested may phone 1-800-377-0022 for information, or click on the newsletter on this website.
Are there any Big Bands working today?
You bet! There are more Big Bands in the United States today than there were during the Big Band Era, but they have no place to play. The reason for this, of course, is their lack of general popularity because of so little public exposure on radio, records, television or cable. Every major metropolitan area in the nation has several bands, generally made up of former Big Band Era players, but often including younger musicians. There are also Big Bands in high schools and colleges throughout the nation, as well as the touring "ghost" bands operated by the estates of Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey and Woody Herman, to name a few. There is even a "living ghost" Artie Shaw orchestra.
Where can we find Big Band CDs?
From BBJ Sales. The BIG BAND JUMP radio program is supported by sales of Big Band CDs. The key CD collections stocked by BBJ Sales are noted on this website, and may be ordered either through the website or by phoning toll-free 1-800-377-0022. A brochure listing Big Band and associated CDs is available for the asking.
Who is BBJ host Don Kennedy?
He's an old radio announcer who's been announcing as a profession since 1947. He began his career in Western Pennsylvania, near his birthplace in Beaver, PA, working first in a suburb of Youngstown, Ohio and then in Beaver Falls, PA. He settled in Atlanta, Georgia after his service during the Korean conflict, where he now lives. He's been involved in radio and television station ownership and management, as well as performing on those mediums. His interest in Big Bands began in the '30s, growing up with older brothers who were musicians, listening to their recordings and their Big Band rehearsals in the living room of his parent's home.
How did BIG BAND JUMP get its name?
The program began life as a one hour program at one o'clock on Sunday
afternoon, then titled ONE O'CLOCK JUMP after the famous Count Basie theme
melody. When syndication was suggested by a listener, the name had to be
more generic because the program would be scheduled at various times by
different stations throughout the nation. In order to keep at least part
of
the identity for listeners to the original program, BIG BAND JUMP was
selected. We had no idea then that the program would eventually be heard
on
so many radio stations.
Is BIG BAND JUMP ever heard overseas?
No. A one hour non-commercial version was broadcast on the English
language
service of the Swiss National Network for five or six years, but that
service was eliminated about four years ago. We were heard on a one time
basis on a German radio station (see photo gallery).
Listeners from all over the world, however, have been listening on the
internet.
