Modern Jazz Today - Presenting today's creative artists
A radio program that focuses on today's jazz. Jazz is an ever-evolving landscape that is bringing elements from this generation's favorites, just as their predecessors did. Modern Jazz Today hopes to give this generation of improvisational makers, standard's arrangers, and original composers a place to have their music heard and discover other like-minded music. Modern Jazz Today is currently programmed in 3 Countries: the U.S., Canada, South Africa on 42 terrestrial and 2 online stations. If you would like to carry the show on your station, please get in contact. We would love to hear from you.
Modern Jazz Today Hosts:
Jeff Williams and Kari Gaffney
Jeff Williams – Founder, Producer and Co-Host of Modern Jazz Today
Embarking on his lifelong career in the musical realm, Jeff Williams has built an extensive range of skills. Williams brings a depth of knowledge to his role as producer and co-host of Modern Jazz Today. His hands-on experience as a musician across various genres and settings offers him a unique perspective and a vast reservoir of insights. As a trained composer and performer who has toured across the United States, he understands the music landscape’s evolution and the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Williams’ academic background, including a degree in Jazz Composition from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, sets a firm foundation for his understanding of music theory and its application. In addition, his mentorship by jazz legend Charlie Banacos has further enriched his musical intelligence, making him a trustworthy source of information for listeners.
His proven expertise in transcriptions, orchestrations, and arrangements is evidence of his meticulous attention to detail and profound understanding of music’s intricacies. This knowledge, combined with his experience working with various performers, ensembles, bands, producers, and the U.S. Government, positions him as a respected voice in the industry.
Beyond his technical skills, Williams’ work as a composer for television soundtracks, promotional materials, film scores, and stock music gives him a unique viewpoint on the intersection of music with other media forms. In addition, this experience will undoubtedly enrich his conversations and commentary as a radio host, providing listeners with insights into the world of music and the artists that are programmed on Modern Jazz Today.
Williams’ expansive writing and performing experiences, educational credentials, and proven success across different facets of the music industry make him an authoritative and trusted voice as a syndicated radio producer and co-host. His comprehensive understanding of the industry—ranging from the fine details of composition to the broader influence of music in the media landscape—ensures an enriching, engaging, and insightful experience for listeners of Modern Jazz Today, a platform now in its flourishing seventh year.
Modern Jazz Today is a dedicated syndicated radio show that zeroes in on the modern jazz scene. Recognizing that jazz is a constantly evolving art form; it seeks to incorporate elements from today’s favorite influences, much like the jazz pioneers of the past. The program aims to provide a platform for today’s innovative creators, arrangers of timeless standards, and original composers to have their music shared and discovered by a community of like-minded listeners.
Currently, Modern Jazz Today reaches audiences far and wide, broadcasting in two countries, the U.S. and Canada, across 41 terrestrial and two online stations. With Williams’ expertise steering the ship, it continues to be a beacon for the exploration and appreciation of modern jazz, offering listeners an immersive experience in the vibrant world of the modern jazz of today.
“Music has fundamentally reshaped me, altering my essence to the extent that I consider myself a product of its transformative power. As the most profound and mystical medium of communication, music possesses an undeniable ability to bring about change. Embrace it, and it will indelibly leave its mark on you.”
-Jeff Williams
Kari Gaffney – Co-Host
Kari Gaffney stops by once a week to sit and talk about jazz artists of today. A native Southern Californian, grew up surrounded by family and friends deeply involved in all aspects of the entertainment industry; many are famous performers, actors, songwriters, producers and sound engineers. In fact Gaffney’s paternal grandmother was a CBC radio actor in the 30s and 40s known for Children’s Scrapbook, Flying For Freedom, Solider’s Wife, Canada Marches On, L for Lanky, and Canadian Cavalcade, just to name a few. Gaffney herself has 3 pop albums, 2 jazz albums and has recorded numerous singles for various compilation CDs. This profound “in the trenches” approach gave Gaffney the foundation, that would then be built upon 29 years of #doing for other artists. This trend will be carried over to the jazz radio show Modern Jazz Today, presenting new music on a weekly basis to inform, entertain, and discover new jazz of today.
“Jazz is my go to place, a sound that transports me to a deeper state of mind.”
-Kari Gaffney
Modern Jazz Today is a creative weekly program that enjoys an international distribution to terrestrial and on-line radio stations across the globe with a program that is chalk-full of current players that will appeal to people with many musical interests. We appreciate our listeners and network of stations currently playing Modern Jazz today, we are committed to keeping our programs current and ever evolving.
Our passion is to broadcast the jazz good news. The joy of creating, the voice of jazz, the stories of today that are reflected in the history of yesteryear, but a deeper reflection of the landscape of today’s sound. We have been presenters of jazz, in many forms but still distilled into the same message JAZZ. We will take this passion and life’s work and implement it into what we hope to become your passion as well. Join us, grow with us and explore your passion today..
What people are saying about Modern Jazz Today
“Modern Jazz Today” provides our station with jazz programming that explores artists and music that need to be heard, featuring talented musicians who are willing to go beyond the standards. Hosts Kari Gaffney and Jeff Williams have put together a well-produced, informative program that we hope to air for years to come!
-Bob Earle, Program Director, CHMR FM (Canada)
“We musicians rely on the support of passionate advocates for the music – such as you & Jeff – who actually know what they’re talking about and love the music. Thank you, again. I’ll make sure that we tune in each week and will spread the word for you.” – Simon Lasky, pianist and fan – United Kingdom
“Kari and Jeff – this is really, truly great! I love how you provide the info and context for the artists!!!” – Aimee Allen, jazz vocalist and fan NYC
“Great show Kari!!!! You and Jeff are just too hip. Loved it! Can’t wait to hear what you do next week!”
– Fred Hughes, master jazz pianist, Washington DC
“BIG Ups to Everyone at Modern Jazz Today (MJT)! You’re doing a phenomenal job of sharing the CURRENT state of Jazz productions with audiences who wouldn’t hear it otherwise. Keep up the Great work.”
