Celebrating Jazz History Legend Harrison Ridley Jr.
Join the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection for a day of celebration and remembrance featuring a musical tribute in honor of Harrison Ridley Jr. by the Lovett Hines Legacy Group and a conversation with Bob Perkins and WRTI music host and producer J. Michael Harrison.
- Date:
- Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- Time:
- 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Location:
- Center for Anti-racism Research, Mazur Hall, 1114 Polett Walk
- Campus:
- Main Campus
Harrison Ridley's life-long dedication to what he called 'The Positive Music" made him an icon in the jazz world. He taught music history at Temple University for more than a quarter of a century. And his regular Sunday night show on WRTI was a must-listen for thousands of dedicated fans for more than 30 years. Bob Perkins, also known as "BP with the GM," (translation: "Bob Perkins with the Good Music"), has been in the broadcasting industry for over five decades as an on-air host and is now commonly called a Philadelphia jazz radio legend. J. Michael Harrison’s first radio show, WPEB’s “Is That Jazz” launched in June of 1993. In 1994 he began volunteering with WRTI as a production assistant. In 1996, J. Michael debuted his own program, The Bridge, which continues to air Friday evenings on WRTI. The Bridge was selected as Philadelphia Magazine’s "Best Radio Program” in 2002, and in 2007, the Philadelphia City Paper called it the “Best On-Air Reminder That Jazz Didn’t Die in 1965.” J. Michael can be heard on Fridays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. as host of The Bridge. (from WRTI)
Photo by Bruce Turner
