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Linda Yohn: 30-Years Of Excellence at 89.1 WEMU

Linda Yohn, retiring music director and host of 89.1 Jazz on WEMU

Monday, December 18th, 2017. It's the final day Linda Yohn serves up the jazz to an appreciative audience. After 30-years as music director and jazz host, Linda Yohn is stepping away from the microphone and into retirement.  The goal of a broadcaster is to create moments. Moments that connect with the audience as a whole and, in a very real way, with each individual tuning in. As 89.1 WEMU’s David Fair reports, for decades now, Linda Yohn has done exactly that. 

In many respects, Linda Yohn has become the face of jazz in our region. That is certainly the case at 89.1 WEMU, but her reach and influence extend well beyond the airwaves. As noted below, Linda has been recognized locally, through the state and nationally for her contributions.  To hear a final word from Linda, check out the interview she did with 89.1 WEMU's Lisa  Barry. that directly followed this tribute special. 

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

Jazz Connect 2015-2017

Panelist and Moderator for JazzWeek track.

International Association for Jazz Education Conference, 1997-1998, 2000, 2002, 2004-2007

Panelist and Moderator

JazzWeek Summit, 2002-2006, 2008-2017

Panelist, Moderator and Organizer.

Received JazzWeek 2017 “Presenter Of The Year” and “Tom Mallison Lifetime Achievement Award”.

Received JazzWeek 2014 “Bobby Jackson Award for Major Market Programmer”

Received JazzWeek 2012 Programmer Of The Year Markets 1-25

Received JazzWeek 2011 Programmer Of The Year Markets 1-25

Received JazzWeek 2010 Programmer Of The Year Markets 1-25

Received JazzWeek 2009 Programmer Of The Year Markets 1-25

Received JazzWeek 2006 Duke Dubois Jazz Humanitarian Award

Received JazzWeek 2003 Programmer of the Year Award: Smaller Markets. 

WEMU Received JazzWeek 2003 Station of the Year Award: Smaller Markets

Jazz Journalists Association Awards, 2002, 2004-2008, 2010-2016

Committee member, presenter and co-host.

Received 2016 “Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Award” for Excellence in Jazz Broadcasting

Gavin Radio Seminar, 1996-2000

Nominated for "Jazz Radio Person of the Year", 1996     

Nominated for “Small Market Jazz Programmer” 1999 and 2000

Jazz Times Convention, 1987-1998

Moderator and Panelist

SPECIAL PROJECTS AND AWARDS

Jazz Journalists Association 2015-2017

Ann Arbor and Detroit Jazz Hero Awards nominator, producer, writer, presenter.

Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association 2017

Received “Ron Brooks Award For Contributions To The Jazz Community”.

East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival 2017

Received “Award For Outstanding Contributions To Michigan Jazz”.

Detroit Music Awards 2017

WEMU Awarded Special Recognition for 40 Years of Jazz Broadcasting.

Detroit Jazz Festival “Talk Tent”  2010-2017

Conducted “Meet The Artist” talks with national jazz artists.

Michigan Association Of Public Broadcasters 2015-2016

WEMU Awarded MAPB “Station of the Year” 2015

Merit Award for “Jazz Moment In Time” in New Media Category 2016

Special Award from State Representative David Rutledge 2015

Ambassador Award for Jazz Music in the Ypsilanti Area

Detroit Symphony Orchestra 2011

Lifetime Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Jazz Community.

Detroit Jazz Festival Highlights 2006-2010

Produced, wrote and hosted 2 hour nationally syndicated program of Detroit Jazz Festival.

Motor City Jazz: Salute to Detroit from Jazz At Lincoln Center, 2006

Co-hosted live broadcast from Jazz At Lincoln Center on XM Satellite Radio, WBGO-FM and WEMU.

Ann Arbor News Reader’s Poll, 2004-2009

WEMU awarded “Best Music Station”

Ypsilanti District Library, 2005-2006

Jazz Appreciation Courses for African American History Month, Women’s History Month and Jazz Appreciation Month

Jazzistry Moments, 2005-2006

Created 30 “modules” on great figures in jazz history for African American History Month. 

Received the Jazzistry 2005 “Giant Steps” Award.

WEMU/Depot Town Association Heritage Festival Blues & Jazz Party, 1994-1995, 1997-2003

Producer and Host

WEMU Jazz and Blues Stage, Ann Arbor Street Art Fairs, 1992-2003

Producer and host

Ford-Detroit International Jazz Festival Broadcasts, 1987-1997 and 2000

Co-hosted local and national broadcasts of Ford-Detroit and Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festivals

Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Jazz Competition, 1989-1993

Producer and host

Eastern Michigan University Department of Continuing Education, 1996

"Ladies Sing the Blues and Scat the Jazz", music appreciation course

Frog Island Festival Broadcasts, 1989-1997

Coordinated broadcast and recording crew

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS           

Jazz Journalists Association: Member

Detroit Blues Society: Member

Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association: Board of Directors

Detroit Music Awards Committee: Member

Riverside Arts Center Foundation: Member

The Blues Foundation: Member

Detroit International Jazz Festival: Rhythm Section Member

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Jazz Advisory Committee

International Association Of Jazz Educators

Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Committee

Ypsilanti Depot Town Association

 

Contact David: dfair@emich.edu