Program Schedule
Reviews
Playlist
DJ Mailing List
Charts
Links
Upcoming In Studio Guests
Getting Airplay
KEXP programs an innovative, eclectic music mix you can’t find anywhere else. Rock, hip hop, electronic, country, blues, world and in-depth specialty programs.





KEXP's looking for some of you to join our team! We're seeking music lovers that are interested in learning about radio and participating in Seattle's vibrant music scene. Current internship openings are in programming, marketing and development. Must be a self-starter and a good communicator. If you love the station and are qualified to help, we want to hear from you! Help us build the future of our station! Learn more and apply now.

KEXP DJs



Jon Kertzer : The Best Ambiance, Mon. 6-9PM
The best in African and Afro-Caribbean music, both old and new. Includes many recent imports from Europe and Africa, as well as interviews with touring African musicians, and special features about them.

Time at station:
I started as station manager in 1982, and started The Best Ambiance after returning from a year in London and West Africa, in June, 1984.

Read my blog: http://spaces.msn.com/members/bestambiance/

Real Job:
Business development for MSN Music and Microsoft. Also involved in several non-profits, including Rakumi Arts, which I co-founded, along with Bumbershoot and Seattle International Children's festival. I love to travel, attend festivals, play and study music, and watch soccer (football).

Favorite Musical Styles/Artists:
Too numerous to list them all, in African music- Ghanaian highlife, Nigerian juju and fuji, Senegalese mbalax, old Congolese rumba, South African mbaqanga, Mandinka griot music and wassoulu music from Mali, Algerian rai; also Cuban son, various Afro-American roots styles- blues, gospel. jazz, (of the more adventuresome variety), Afro-Caribean compas, reggae, meringue, and soca, Favorite artists of the moment: Orchestre Baobab, Djelimady Tounkara, Hasni El-Becharia, and Rachid Taha.

Most Memorable Musical Moment:
A couple from past Bumbershoot festivals- playing guitar and leading my Afropop band Je Ka Jo at the old Seattle Center Coliseum, opening for Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela; and producing and hosting the first Bumberdrum event in 1988, including a incredible jam with Tito Puente, Billy Cobham, Zakir Hussein, AvenAgalu from Nigeria, and SamulNori from Korea- a truly memorable night in the Opera House.

Why I DJ at KEXP:
I love the music, the freedom, the expression and feeling that the listener can get from it; and since I was a teenager working at a college radio station, I love presenting new and original music for the listeners to enjoy and expanding their horizons.

Top New African CDs 2009
  1. Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara (UK/Gambia) – Tell No Lies - Real World-(UK)
  2. Tony Allen (Nigeria) – Secret Agent – World Circuit (UK)
  3. Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics (Ethiopia/UK) – Strut (UK)
  4. Mamane Barka (Niger) – Introducing Mamane Barka – Introducing (UK)
  5. Mamadou Barry (Guinea) – Niyo – World Village (USA)
  6. Ba Cissoko (Guinea) – Seno - Stern’s Africa (UK)
  7. Culture Musical Club (Tanzania) – Shime! – World Village (USA)
  8. Victor Deme (Burkina Faso) – Victor Deme – Chapa Blues (France)
  9. Kimi Djabate (Guinea-Bissau) – Karam – cumbancha discovery (USA)
  10. Cheick Hamala Diabate (Mali) – Ake Doni Doni – Grigri discs (USA)
  11. Kasse Mady Diabate (Mali) – Manden Djeli Kan – Wrasse (UK)
  12. Mohamed Ilyas (Tanzania) – Taarab – Chiku Taku (UK)
  13. Khaled (Algeria) –Liberte – Wrasse UK)
  14. Baaba Maal (Senegal) Television – Palm Pictures (UK)
  15. Syran Mbenza (Congo) Immortal Franco: Africa’s Unrivalled Guitar Legend-Riverboat(UK)
  16. Occidental Brothers Dane Band International (USA/Ghana) – Odo Sanbra – Occidental Brothers(USA)
  17. Oumou Sangare (Mali) – Seya – World Circuit/Nonesuch (UK/USA)
  18. Staff Benda Bilili (Congo) – Trest Tres Fort - Crammed Discs (Belgium)
  19. Tinariwen (Mali) – Imidiwan: Companions - World Village (USA)
  20. Vieux Farka Toure (Mali)- Fondo – Six Degrees (USA)


Recent Recommendations

Angelique Kidjo - Oyaya!) (Columbia)
The powerful voice of Benin singer Kidjo here is focused on the great musical styles of the Caribbean, and is especially effective with Cuban rumba- well-produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.

Jaojoby - Madagascar) (Discorama)
Excellent new recording by Eusebio Jaojoby and his group, which includes his son on guitar, and daughter on vocals, performing the "salegy"- the fast and distinctive beat of Madagascar.

Nahawa Doumbia - Diby) (Cobalt)
One of Mali’s great Wasoulou singers, in a strong new CD of modern traditional music, led by her vocals and the sound of kamale n’goni.

Ba Cissoko - Sabolan) (Marabi)
Young quartet from Guinea, now based in France, they create a new African music, led by two electified koras.

Antibalas - Who Is The America) (rope-a-dope/Artemis)
Third cd is the charm for this group from Brooklyn that keeps the spirit of Fela’s afobeat alive for the 21st century.

Most Recent Show:
20k
96k
1.4Mbps
Real