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 conducted choirs in the public schools for almost 34 years. Jeff retired from his long standing role of 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.

While pursuing his music degree, Jomar enjoyed writing program notes about the music he or his professors would perform because he enjoyed learning about the composer’s history and discussing it. Now as a KCME Host, Jomar is overjoyed to be able to talk about music and reach a wider audience on a weekly basis.

Influenced by legends such as Grover Washington Jr., George Howard, Najee, David Sanborn, Charlie Parker and Ronnie Laws, Exum began playing saxophone at age 11 and later studied at the prestigious Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. Over the years, he has shared stages with artists including The Temptations, The Four Tops, Troop, Miki Howard, Surface, Julian Vaughn, Adam Hawley, Adina Howard, Najee, Dee Lucas, while performing at jazz festivals and venues across the country.
In addition to Jazz 935, recording and touring, Tony Exum Jr. serves as a host on Denver's KUVO FM 89.3 and continues to release new music through his own imprint TEJ Music Group His music combines smooth melodies, funk-driven grooves, and emotional storytelling that connect with audiences worldwide.

BJ began studying jazz guitar on his own at the age of 12 until his elder brother introduced him to the blues via “Janis Joplin and The Holding Company”. So, it only made sense that when you put jazz and country together you get the blues.

BJ met Kimberly Grant in his junior year of high school and they married in June of 1972.
They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2022.
After a tour in the US Army, two years of college, raising two sons and a 28-year career in the construction trades (from a total of 37 years), Beej finally sold a song to friend and mentor, “Big Jim Adam”. "No Man At All" was first recorded by Jim on "Live at Jimbo's” in 2005. Later, in that same year, Beej formed his band, “BJ Estares and Route 61”. Since then, they have experienced steady growth in popularity in the Pikes Peak Region’s burgeoning music scene.
In 2015 BJ Estares and Route 61 earned honors for “Best Self-Produced CD” and “Best Blues Band” from the Pikes Peak Blues Community. They have performed openers for The Ronnie Baker Brooks Band, American Blues Music Award winner Tommy Castro and The Pain Killers, two-time IBC winner Lionel Young Band and award-winning Texas blues man, Mike Zito.
BJ and Route 61 performed original tunes from their first CD release “Full Time Student of the Blues” at the Pikes Peak Center’s Studio B Showcase in 2012 and were invited back in 2013 to perform the all-original award-winning release, “Easy Street”. BJ and Route 61 also performed regularly as a house band at Bronco Billy’s in Cripple Creek from 2015 to 2018.

What's this jazz stuff all about? One thing led to another: Coltrane, Miles, Mingus, Duke Ellington. The die was cast. A year on the road playing disco. Then a composition degree from Berklee in Boston, a Master's in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory, an NEA Commission to write a jazz suite, other grants including a recording with Sam Rivers and Jon Medeski, An inveterate collector of music of many styles, especially, Jazz, Blues, Classical, 60s English Pop, New Wave, early Reggae and Rock Steady, and Soukous from the Congo. Music is a celebration of life. Always keep the flame burning.

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', now known as 'Incase You Missed It' (Wednesdays at 6pm).
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.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Katie grew up playing horn in school, at church, in youth orchestra, singing in choirs, and falling in love with theatre and movie musicals (while her schoolmates were teasing their big hair and destroying the ozone with Aqua-Net, she was scouring thrift stores for a dress like Debbie Reynolds's in Singin' in the Rain). Her Dad helped cultivate a love of swing and Big Band music as he spun his records on the little hi-fi at home and shared stories of his favorite artists, like Benny Goodman, the Dorsey brothers, Bix Beiderbecke, and Louis Armstrong.

Katie graduated from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD with degrees in performance and education, did some teaching, and while raising her three boys with her uber-supportive musician husband, Philip, also built an acting, singing, and voiceover career. She's performed regionally and Off-Broadway, in film, and her voiceover client list includes Hachette Audio, the Washington Post, the Discovery Channel, NASA, and Pandora Radio (and she has lots of funny stories about performing crazy accents, like when she played multiple characters in a Carmen Sandiego video game!). When she's not in the studio at Jazz 93.5, she enjoys attending her son's musical and dance performances, going to book club, playing with her grandkids, and fronting her jazz and swing band, Katie Hale and the P-47s. You can look for her at venues around town, and be sure to come say hi! 🙂

Over the years, that early curiosity turned into a lifelong habit of musical exploration. Michael has always been most drawn to artists who take risks, blur genres, and push music into new territories—so naturally, he fell in love with jazz. While he didn’t come to jazz through formal training, he’s spent years following his ears—listening deeply, collecting records, and chasing that feeling of discovery. His taste has taken him all over the map, but he keeps coming back to jazz for its expressive energy, emotional depth, and endless variety. While he loves all expressions and eras of jazz, he's got a soft spot for out-there, progressive jazz and the avant-garde.
Joining the team at Jazz 93.5 felt like a natural extension of that passion. Michael believes independent radio plays a vital role in keeping music personal and community-driven—connecting listeners through human curation, passionate voices, and a commitment to keeping jazz relevant. As someone who found his way into jazz through exploration, he hopes to make space for the next generation of jazz listeners and build a sense of connection through shared discovery.
Outside of the station, Michael runs a vintage-focused business centered on furniture, vinyl, and hi-fi audio gear. He also loves playing volleyball, digging through dusty record bins, and spending lazy afternoons with his wife Brenna (his high school sweetheart) and their son Morris.

What drew me in to radio and keeps me inspired is the connection independent stations foster within the community.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, crafting, traveling, and going to live shows. I’m excited to be part of Jazz 93.5 with a team that’s keeping the love of independent radio alive.

She currently serves as director of the Downtown Creative District, where her work builds community and supports a robust creative sector through placemaking, public art, and cultural events. Michelle is delighted to highlight the diverse performing arts scene in the Pikes Peak Region as host of Performance Spotlight. She holds an MFA in Design from Indiana University and a BA in Art from the University of Wyoming.