Jazz Messenger Celebrates International Women’s Day
By WTJU
Date: 03/13/2026
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
On Friday, March 13, 10:30 to noon, in honor of International Women’s Day (which fell on March 8th) and National Women’s Month, The Jazz Messenger Show with Brian Keena will feature a full playlist of women artists.
Enjoy the music of Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Esperanza Spaulding, Lisa Messacappa, Mary Louisa Williams, and more!
Brian Keena is celebrating his 20th year as WTJU host this year and over a decade hosting The Jazz Messenger. A few years ago Brian was interviewed about his experience of being a WTJU Jazz host, excerpted below. Also, he likes trains!
How did you come to love jazz music?
My parents both listened to jazz when I was a kid. It was the pop music for them. I was fortunate to meet good music teachers in middle and high school who cared about carrying the tradition forward. And I was extremely fortunate to study for a couple years with an unassuming brilliant session jazz guitarist/instructor named Eddie Berg, who instilled an interest in standards and theory with all of his students. He cracked things open for me.
When and how did you first get involved with WTJU?
I got involved as a volunteer back in the [former WTJU manager] Chuck Taylor era in 2006. I grew up in a time where AM radio was king, where radio programs were legendary, and music was the focus, and I love the medium. I still can’t believe they let me into the studio.
How do you choose what you’re going to play?
I always know what I’m going to start my show with. Sometimes there is a theme sketched out. I bring enough music to allow for improvisation because I like to create the bulk of the show on the spot.
