WUCF announced today it will premiere a very special Live From Studio A featuring the University of Central Florida’s The Flying Horse Big Band. Viewers can watch the program on Thursday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. on WUCF TV, and listeners can hear the program June 11 and Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m. on 89.9 Jazz and More.
Recorded live at the new Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center, the program focuses on Jeff Rupert, host of Jazz and the American Spirit and Director of Jazz Studies at UCF, and the UCF Flying Horse Big Band’s performance during UCF Celebrates the Arts in April 2022. The show was inspired by Rupert’s Jazz and the American Spirit radio program on WUCF 89.9 Jazz and More Thursday nights at 7 p.m. On a weekly basis, Jazz and the American Spirit examines the great stories of Jazz across America and the people who create it.
“We are so proud to tell the story of Jazz through our weekly program with Jazz and the American Spirit, but also with programming such as this special Live from Studio A,” said Jennifer Cook, WUCF executive director. “As Central Florida’s Storytellers, WUCF strives to showcase stories for TV and radio. By supporting WUCF our viewers and listeners are encouraging great art to continue and thrive in our community.”
The Flying Horse Big Band is one of the premier performing ensembles of the UCF Music Department. It has appeared at the Montreux, Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festivals, as well as numerous festival and concert appearances domestically. The group has had six recordings on the national jazz charts. Recordings include Jazz Town, The Blues is Alright, Into the Mystic, Big Man on Campus, The Bat Swings! and most recently Florida Rays. The last two albums climbed to #1 on the national (professional) jazz charts.
UCF Celebrates the Arts is an annual festival showcasing Central Florida's performing and visual arts through 30+ concerts, talks, and exhibits.
Programs such as Live From Studio A and Jazz and the American Spirit would not be possible without the continuous support of WUCF’s donors as private funding makes up more than 50 percent of its annual revenue.
Listeners can stream WUCF FM 89.9 Jazz & More and its HD2 Latin Jazz station from anywhere at http://wucf.org/listen/ . Viewers can stream WUCF TV using wucf.org/watch.
Donations can be made by visiting wucf.org/donate.