received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Colorado College, and his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado. He has performed in several cities and groups across the U.S., and since returning to Colorado Springs has appeared with many local groups and musicians, including the Hennessy 6, and is currently forming his own groups.

“As a kid, I fell in love with jazz for its syncopation and rhythmic interest, as well as the rich harmony,” says Bernie. “As a practitioner, I love the sense of history and interconnectedness that is inherent in the music. It’s also very demanding in terms of musical understanding, knowing how all the various elements and permutations of melody, harmony, and rhythm fit together and interact. But the beauty is that this leads to a world of possibility on the bandstand and opens new modes of communication between musicians and listeners.”

Bernie is excited to share his understanding and passion with everyone at Jazz 93.5. He says, “I’m thrilled that Colorado Springs has a great jazz station now, Jazz 93.5 is among the best I’ve heard and they offer a great variety of music. It’s an excellent platform for listeners of all stripes to hook in and discover music that they love.”

She released her first album entitled “In the Beginning” which received wonderful reception from fans and critics and she toured throughout the South promoting the album. She recently performed on a cruise that went from Australia to the Polynesian Islands including Fiji. She is currently writing her first book, completing her second album and looking to do another American tour once her new album is completed.

Influenced by the likes of Grover Washington, Jr., Sanborn, Najee, Bird, Dexter Gordon among others, Tony began his professional career at 18 while attending Denver University’s Lamont School of Music. Performing nationwide since 2010, he has two award winning CDs and two singles under his belt. Radio began for Tony with occasional co-hosting on Denver’s KDKOradio.com, and KUHS radio jazz shows. He now hosts two shows on Jazz 93.5 FM in the “smooth/contemporary” jazz vein; Lagniappe 7pm Mon-Fri and The New Generation of Smooth Jazz, 6 PM Fridays and 1PM Sundays.

Jeff was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1961. His family moved to Colorado Springs when he was two months old, so he is as close to a native as he could get. He went through school in District 11, graduating from Palmer High School in 1979.

Jeff has his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and his Masters Degree in Voice Performance (with a secondary emphasis in Choral Conducting and Literature) from the University of Northern Colorado (Go Bears!!). He has been conducting choirs in the public schools for almost 34 years. Jeff is currently the Director of Choirs and Performing Arts Department Chair at William J Palmer High School in the heart of Colorado Springs.

Jeff has been fortunate enough to receive the Rotary Diamond Award, and the Colorado Springs Chorale Society Peak Educator of the Year award. His award-winning choirs have performed in Elitch's, California (Disneyland), New Orleans, and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He sings and plays keyboard, guitar and bass. Jeff is also a published composer/arranger. He is currently chair of the Colorado High School All-State Jazz Choirs, and has worked with members of The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, True North, Kate Reid, and other nationally and internationally known vocal jazz singers/educators/clinicians.

Jeff is also on the board of the Colorado High School All-State Choirs, and the Colorado Music Educator’s Association.

Jeff is married to Kristi, and has two amazing children - Ethan and Mackenzie.

Born and raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, JJ Sechan began his musical studies with jazz saxophone at the age of ten. After switching to bassoon in high school, he went on to receive a Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School and an Artist Diploma from Oberlin Conservatory, studying with Judith LeClair and George Sakakeeny. JJ moved to Colorado in 2016 to perform with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, and Opera Colorado orchestras. Recent season highlights included a tour to the Kennedy Center for the Shift Festival of American Orchestras, a performance Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain with Nicholas Payton, and a solo appearance with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs.

In addition to performing, JJ is intensely dedicated to reshaping the landscape of music education in Colorado Springs. He recently created a socially distanced, convenient, small ensemble program called Chamber Music Days. Since its launch July, the program has grown to safely host 15 ensembles and provide a much-needed sense of musical normalcy to more than 60 participants.

Through his faculty positions at UCCS and CSU-Pueblo, JJ premiered pianist Reggie Berg’s jazz-inspired Bassoon Sonata in 2019, which lead to his wonderfully unlikely position as a radio host at Jazz 93.5. Later that year he also began hosting KCME’s Strike Up the Band, airing Fridays at noon.

When not playing bassoon, teaching, or making radio shows, JJ likes to run, bike, and cook. He has tried making the perfect Jewish brisket for the holidays four times previously and is pretty darn confident that THIS time he will get it right.

When not working on an endless list of projects around his home, Keith’s interests include amateur and shortwave radio, classic movies, and collectible cars. Keith arrived at KCME in 2007 and, aside from serving as Program Director, Traffic Manager and host/producer of the Culture Zone, now enjoys hosting classical music on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, plus the occasional stint on Jazz 93.5.