An Evening with TomtheJazzman

An Evening with TomtheJazzman is the longest running Jazz Program in North Carolina.  Tom began his programming of the music he loves over twenty four years ago on Public Radio East’s original station WTEB - 89.3 FM.  Tom can now be heard each Sunday evening beginning at 6 PM on all five Public Radio East frequencies.  His five-hour program offers a virtual buffet of sounds.  Each week Tom programs new music and new artists while always staying true to tradition with classic mainstream presentations from the Jazz Masters.   Tom began programming Jazz on the radio back in the early 60's and has remained dedicated to Jazz as an art form in his programming.  For Tom Jazz is his therapy and he can not imagine a world without music, especially Jazz.   Tom's weekly presentations are very spontaneous and reflect on the currency of events.  He devotes time to featuring music of recently deceased Jazz musicians, and provides an ongoing commentary of events in the news.  Frequently Tom, through his myriad of contacts, has information available in advance of public announcements.   An Evening with TomtheJazzman emphasizes the music of Jazz and features Tom's timely comments.  Many listeners are frequently asking Tom to talk more about the music and to share more of his personal experiences with musicians; however, in most cases Tom believes most listeners are checking in to hear the music and not his comments.  He makes it a point of being sure to announce all of the selections he plays, by title and artist or group.  Tom can readily be reached for questions and comments at jazzman@broadcast.net anytime or toll free at 1-800-222-9832 during the program.  Tom can also be heard at http://www.publicradioeast.org on both Public Radio East streams of broadcasting.  Also on the web site you can get a copy of the playlist from each week of Tom’s programming.  Tom frequently publishes a list of Jazz Concerts in North Carolina to listeners on his mailing list.  Tom especially appreciates listener feedback on his programming and listener suggested selections for the program.     Tom invites you to check out his show on Sunday evening on WTEB-89.3 in New Bern and Jacksonville,, WKNS-90.3 from Kinston and Goldsboro up toward Raleigh, WBJD-91.5 at Atlantic Beach and the Crystal Coast, WZNB-88.5 in New Bern and Greenville-88.1.

TomtheJazzman

TomtheJazzman with Tierney Sutton Every Sunday evening for twenty four years, TomtheJazzman drives the 100 mile round trip from Greenville to New Bern. He makes the drive each week on a mission to share his passion for jazz with eastern North Carolina. He accomplishes that and more on his program An Evening with TomtheJazzman, which airs from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Public Radio East every Sunday. Tom's friends know him as Tom Mallison.  Many listeners and friends never have connected the two....TomtheJazzman and Tom Mallison.  Frequently someone will comment, 'Your voice sounds so familiar.  Have I met you somewhere previously?"  In many cases Tom allows the question to go unanswered.   Prior to his arrival each week, Tom spends over eight hours in preparation for the five hour program. About 99% of the music he presents is from his personal compact disc library, which now numbers in the thousands.  He selects about a hundred CDs each week for consideration in his impromptu programming. In addition, Tom says, "I spend considerable time on the internet, reading magazines, and talking on the phone during the week in preparation for the show. I also travel to hear jazz performances whenever possible."  These days Tom spends much of his time on the Internet researching Jazz, in addition to communicating with listeners, contacts in the music industry and artists.  Tom's hobbies include photography, cooking, travel, being an audiophile enthusiast and assisting friends with their stereo equipment and computer issues.  Many listeners consider Tom’s programming during the month of December of ALL HOLIDAY JAZZ to be a highlight of the holiday season. Wynton Marsalis and TomtheJazzman take a break during the JVC Newport Jazz Festival As a Greenville native, Tom has been a jazz fan since his teens.  His broadcast career started while in college, after winning a contest sponsored by a Greenville station in 1960. Not only did he win, he was also offered an announcing and programming position.  Since then, Tom has had his own jazz program on and off throughout during the years.  In 1985, he left WDLX-FM, formerly WITN-FM-Rock-93, to offer his passion for jazz at a new home on WTEB (now Public Radio East). Prior to going on the air in 1985, Tom was helping the program director and staff build a jazz library and make contacts with his friends in the music industry,  Since 1974 Tom the Jazzman has been a Sunday night tradition in Eastern North Carolina, although his first radio programming began in 1960.  For Tom, Jazz has always been an art form and a hobby.  "It has evolved into being my therapy and way of avoiding or reducing stress."  For over 32 years, Tom was employed by DuPont as their Manager of External Affairs. He retired from DuPont in November of 1998. His professional background in communications, public relations, media, publications, education and his personal music collection has helped to define what makes An Evening with Tom the Jazzman unique. When the music's not playing, Tom's emphasis is on education, history, and nostalgia.  Tom theJ azzman is described by fans of the program as an "oasis ... hosted by an evangelist for the genre of jazz," and as "the leading knowledge base, contact person, and stimulator for jazz in eastern North Carolina."  His program is the longest running jazz program in North Carolina.  TomtheJazzman with Dr. Billy Taylor Now that Tom has retired from DuPont he frequently is asked what he does to stay occupied.  Tom continues his dedication to Jazz with memberships in the International Association for Jazz Education and the Jazz Journalist Association.  He frequently conducts workshops and has his photography featured through both of these organizations.  Tom is a contributing writer and photographer for JazzWeek magazine.  He is the co-founder of the FRIENDS of JAZZ at East Carolina University and was a charter member of the Coastal Jazz Society.  He is a frequent speaker to Jazz Societies, church groups and civic clubs in addition to serving as Master of Ceremonies for many concerts.  Tom consults for several Jazz Societies, Festivals and a Jazz Cruise utilizing his knowledge, experience and contacts in the world of Jazz.  Tom is a member of the College of Education's Educators Hall of Fame at ECU.  In 2003 Tom was voted by the jazz radio programmers across the United States as the fist recipient of the JazzWeek Duke Dubois Humanitarian Award for his efforts in the promotion of jazz, jazz education, his programming and willingness to help other jazz radio programmers and stations.   In 1992, Tom received the North Carolina's highest civilian award, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, presented by Governor Jim Martin.  In 1988 Tom was recognized as an Honorary Walt Disney World Citizen by the Disney Group.  Tom has served on the Board of Visitors of East Carolina University and in 1998 was presented The Distinguished Alumni Service Award by the East Carolina University Alumni Association.  Tom has been a member of the ECU Pirate Club since 1974.  He is a member of the Chancellor's Society at ECU.  Tom was recently elected as Chairman of the Board of the Robert Wright Student Government President's Society at ECU.  Tom is an emeritus member of the FRIENDS of the S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series and has served a President of the FRIENDS of SRAPAS.  Tom has served as Chairman of the College of Education Advancement Council at East Carolina University and continues as a Board member.   TomtheJazzman with Joe Lovano and McCoy Tyner backstage at the Newport Jazz Festival Tom presents of a wide variety of jazz styles, in his programming, and incorporates commentary, and artist profiles.  It is said best by Tom's fans, such as Susan and Alan Boutilier, owners of The Starlight Café, in Greenville, "It wouldn't be Sunday around here without TomtheJazzman. The mix and breadth of the music is a treat. We have discovered music - old and new - that otherwise we would not have access to. We feel educated and enriched by the end of each show." TomtheJazzman with Joe Locke