Studs Terkel's Jazz Showcase from 1991 Rebroadcast

WFMT radio to air vintage Studs Terkel program featuring his beloved jazz music

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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WFMT, the classical and fine arts radio station in Chicago, is set to rebroadcast one of legendary radio host Studs Terkel's greatest jazz programs from 1991. The hour-long show will feature a curated selection of vintage jazz performances that Terkel, a passionate advocate for the genre, hand-picked from his personal vinyl collection.

Why it matters

Studs Terkel was a pioneering radio personality who helped establish the art of the interview and oral history in American media. His long-running daily program on WFMT was a beloved institution in Chicago, and his championing of jazz music was an important part of his legacy. This rebroadcast offers a rare chance for listeners to experience Terkel's distinctive on-air persona and his deep appreciation for the jazz art form.

The details

The program, titled "A Jazz Showcase (1991)", will air on WFMT on February 7, 2026. It was originally curated and hosted by Terkel himself, who was known for his eclectic musical tastes and his ability to bring out the humanity in his interview subjects, whether they were world-famous figures or ordinary working people.

  • The original program aired in 1991.
  • The rebroadcast is scheduled for February 7, 2026.

The players

Studs Terkel

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author and pioneering radio personality who hosted a daily program on WFMT in Chicago for 45 years, championing jazz music and establishing oral history as a popular literary genre.

WFMT

A classical and fine arts radio station in Chicago that was Studs Terkel's longtime home base and is now set to rebroadcast one of his iconic jazz programs from 1991.

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What’s next

WFMT has not announced any plans for additional Studs Terkel program rebroadcasts beyond this 1991 jazz showcase.

The takeaway

Studs Terkel's passion for jazz music and his pioneering approach to radio storytelling will be on full display in this rebroadcast, offering a chance for a new generation of listeners to experience his distinctive on-air presence and his enduring cultural legacy.