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
