In Jeff Turton’s words…
“I have spent 35 years programming Jazz on Boston radio stations. Starting in the late 70’s at public radio station WBUR and at Emerson College at WERS. I did fill-in work at WGBH for a couple of decades for people like Eric Jackson and Ron Della Chiesa and in 1983, along with a bunch of radio professionals with big dreams, we got Boston’s first Alternative Rock station off the ground (though we didn’t really know what we were creating in the beginning because there was not an alternative format at the time) . He programmed Jazz on Sunday’s for 8 hours each week for more than 27 years. The program was very successful because of the hybrid approach we took to the programming of the music.
I have always thought that music thrived at the Crossroads, where many influences converge and develop and then move off on their own to provide their own perspectives. The Jazz Brunch was the only show on Boston radio that actively brought the influences from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa into the music mix and drawing their parallels to Jazz. Jazz Crossroads will also journey to New Orleans during the last hour.
New Orleans is truly the crossroads for music in this country. It has an incredibly unique culture with influences from Africa and the Caribbean and the beginnings of Jazz at it’s heart. I have spent the last 20 years since Katrina deeply involved in learning about that music and culture and am hoping it adds a little spice the Jazz Crossroads mix.
I am a recording engineer when not wearing my programming hat. I have spent much of that career in recording studios in the 80’s and then in newsrooms across the public radio system providing production help and also working with shows providing content for public radio. I have also spent many years in the TV and Sports production world as both an A1 and A2 engineer. These were my Crossroads and I like to think they have all added to my individual approach to music programming.”
Feel free to get in touch with Jeff via e-mail to let him know your thoughts about his show or even if you just fancy a shout out! jeff@soulandjazz.com.
Stereo, not stereotypical
Enjoy!
23rd December 2025
Artist – Track – Format – Year
Duke Ellington The Nutcracker Suite The Nutcracker Suite 1960
Donald Byrd Band and Voices Christo Redentor A New Perspective 1964
Sonny Criss Orchestra Black Apostles Sonny’s Dream (Birth Of The New Cool 1968
Etienne Charles Watch Night II:- Ring Shout Gullah Roots 2025
Herbie Hancock River River: The Joni Letters 2007
Vince Guraldi Skating A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965
Vince Guraldi Linus and Lucy A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965
Duke Ellington Something About Believeing Second Concert Of Saacred Music 1968
Duke Ellington Freedom Second Concert Of Sacred Music 1968
Amina Claudine Myers African Blues Solace Of The Mind 2025
Archie Shepp, Horace Parlan Goin Home Goin Home 1977
Marth Bass, Fontella Bass, David Peaston God Has Smiled On Me From The Root To The Source 1980
Charles Brown Mewrry Christmas baby Merry Christmas Baby Charles Brown’s Cool Christmas 1994
Natisse Bambi Jones Do You Believe Reindeers Can Fly Christmas With Miss Butch Records 2000
The Bobs Santa’s Got A New Bag Too Many Santas 1996
James Brown Let’s Unite The Whole World at Christmas Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag 1988
Johnny Adams Room With A View Room With A View Of The Blues 1988
Walter Wolfman Washington One Day From Being A Fool Doing The Funky Thing 2008
Joe Krown, Walter Wolfman Washington, Russell Batiste Jr. Lone Ranger Soul Understanding 2013
Walter Wolfman Washington Ikt Was Fun While It Lasted Wolf Tracks 1986
Walter Wolfman Washington I’m Tip Toeing Through Howling Live at dba 2013
Joe Krown, Walter Wolfman Washington, Russell Batiste Jr. Maple Leaf Strutt Live At The Maple Leaf 2008
Walter Wolfman Washington Get On Up (The Wolfman Song) Charley Blues Masters Vol. 19 1981
Professor Longhair Mardi Gras In New Orleans New Orleans Piano 1972
Professor Longhair She Walks Right In New Orleans Piano 1972
Professor Longhair Tipitina New Orleans Piano 1972
James Booker Besame Mucho Spiders On The Keys 1983
James Booker Tico Tico Spiders On The Keys 1983