KNTU FM 88.1 The One

KNTU FM 88.1 The One KNTU.com / FM 88.1 The One: The Place for REAL Jazz in D/FW and around the globe! https://linktr.ee All UNT students are eligible to work at KNTU.

88.1 The One is KNTU-FM
KNTU is licensed to the University of North Texas and is on the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, broadcasting with 100,000 watts at 88.1 FM. The station's format is primarily Jazz, but also includes at various times specialty programming created by UNT students. KNTU also offers educational and special interest programs, including news, sports, local

ly produced information/issues programs, and features. KNTU's purpose is essentially three-fold:
--To serve the public interest with news, public affairs, and entertainment programming for the McKinney, Denton, Dallas-Fort Worth area.
--To provide news and information of community interest about the University of North Texas.
--To provide an industry-standards environment in which students learn about radio broadcasting. KNTU's staff is mostly volunteer since the station offers UNT students an excellent opportunity to gain valuable broadcast experience in a variety of areas, including programming and production, news and sports announcing, sales and development, and station administration. KNTU alumni are employed by so many broadcasters there's no way to list them all. The studios are in the Radio/TV/Film & Performing Arts Building (RTFP) on the University of North Texas / Denton campus

12/16/2025

’Tis the season for classic, commercial Christmas jazz, and who better to deliver it than Seth MacFarlane? Known widely as a writer, actor, and producer, MacFarlane is also a devoted vocalist with a deep love for the Great American Songbook. His rich baritone and classic phrasing channel the elegance of midcentury vocal jazz, backed by lush orchestral arrangements that feel timeless rather than nostalgic.

Here he brings that smooth, old-school charm to “A Marshmallow World,” leaning fully into the warmth and swing of the season. Let it play, settle into the glow, and enjoy a holiday moment that feels straight out of a vintage winter soundtrack. ❄️🎶

12/15/2025

Jacob Collier’s six Grammy wins and 15 nominations only scratch the surface of his boundary-breaking artistry. A Royal Academy–trained jazz pianist turned global innovator, he’s collaborated with icons across every corner of music—Coldplay, Stormzy, SZA, John Mayer, Hans Zimmer, Tori Kelly, and more. From viral multi-instrumental YouTube covers to his sweeping Djesse project, Collier continues to reshape sound with fearless creativity.

You’re currently hearing his warm, harmony-layered cover of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” with Olivia Rodrigo. For more of his festive brilliance, give his Three Christmas Songs EP a listen and add it to your holiday rotation. 🎄✨

Eartha Kitt didn’t just sing Christmas music; she glamorized it. A trailblazing singer, actress, and cultural icon, Kitt...
12/13/2025

Eartha Kitt didn’t just sing Christmas music; she glamorized it. A trailblazing singer, actress, and cultural icon, Kitt rose from a difficult childhood to become one of the most magnetic performers of the 20th century. Her unmistakable voice, sharp wit, and fearless artistry made her a force on Broadway, in jazz clubs, and on screens worldwide. ✨

Her velvet tone and mischievous charm turned “Santa Baby” into a holiday classic that still sparkles decades later. Add it to your Christmas playlist and keep the Kitt magic on repeat all season long! 💋🎁

12/12/2025

The UNT One O’Clock went into full holiday mischief mode with their performance of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” This Fall 2021 rendition shows off the band’s signature bite, color, and big-band swagger, with Bob Thurston’s arrangement giving every line that sly, cinematic grin. 💚

From Ian Calhoun’s bass trombone blasts to DJ Rice’s smooth trombone solo, this chart comes alive in the way only the One O’Clock can. You’re watching a preview right now — but we definitely recommend catching the full video to soak in the whole performance and get your seasonal swing on. 🎄🎶

Ninety-seven years ago today, Louis Armstrong and Earl “Fatha” Hines stepped into the studio and captured Weatherbird, a...
12/05/2025

Ninety-seven years ago today, Louis Armstrong and Earl “Fatha” Hines stepped into the studio and captured Weatherbird, a duet so electrifying and mischievously alive that it still feels like it’s happening in real time. Armstrong’s trumpet practically grins its way through the tune, darting and leaping with that unmistakable, off-the-cuff brilliance that reshaped what solo playing could be.

Nearly a century later, the recording still startles. Hines’s right hand tears through those wide open octaves, creating the illusion of an entire ensemble from one pianist. Together, they build a sound that feels bigger than two musicians, a kind of sonic sleight of hand where space feels full, gestures collide mid air, and every phrase leans toward the edge. Weatherbird remains a blueprint for how daring, conversational improvisation can sound. 🎹 🎺

We have free concert tickets for all you jazz listeners! You don't want to miss your chance to listen to Marcus Miller a...
12/05/2025

We have free concert tickets for all you jazz listeners! You don't want to miss your chance to listen to Marcus Miller and other great artists at the Texas Trust CU Theatre next month. Make sure to fill out the form through this link to have a chance to win. 🎟️🎵
Link: https://881theone.com/contests/jazz-after-dark-contest

Alan Chang releases “Wickedly,” a jazz reimagining of music from the Broadway hit Wicked! His first trio album at 45 mar...
11/24/2025

Alan Chang releases “Wickedly,” a jazz reimagining of music from the Broadway hit Wicked! His first trio album at 45 marks a return to the playful, harmony-bending spirit he’s had since his early days of rearranging tunes. It feels like he finally found the perfect canvas to twist, stretch, and reshape these iconic melodies into something deeply personal — a record we didn’t request but are wonderfully lucky to have. 🫧🎹

Whether you’re counting down to part two of the new Wicked film or still buzzing from watching it this weekend, Wickedly keeps the magic going in a fresh, jazz-forward way. Please give it a spin, dive into the trio’s colorful interplay, and let Chang’s reimagined harmonies carry you somewhere new! 🧹💚

Dorothy Ashby’s “Soft Winds: The Swinging Harp of Dorothy Ashby” is a rare and radiant moment in jazz. Recorded at Plaza...
11/21/2025

Dorothy Ashby’s “Soft Winds: The Swinging Harp of Dorothy Ashby” is a rare and radiant moment in jazz. Recorded at Plaza Sound and featuring vibraphonist Terry Pollard, the album pairs harp and vibes to create a sound that feels almost weightless. Ashby’s touch is cool, precise, and soulful, never ornamental, always swinging; a stereo gem that still feels timeless.

Ashby’s journey was shaped by determination and innovation. As a classically trained Black woman harpist in the 1950s and 60s, she carved her own path through barriers of race, gender, and expectation. She later became a sought-after session musician in Los Angeles, even recording the harp on Stevie Wonder’s “If It’s Magic.” *Soft Winds* captures her resilience and brilliance, offering a glimpse into the unmatched creativity that made her one of jazz’s underrated gems.

Today we’re spotlighting “The Man I Love,” one of the standout tracks on the album. Give it a listen and if the sound pulls you in, the whole record is perfect for easing into fall. 🌙🍂

Stéphane Wrembel is making a stop in North Texas 🎸. The acclaimed guitarist — known for his work in midnight in paris is...
11/20/2025

Stéphane Wrembel is making a stop in North Texas 🎸.

The acclaimed guitarist — known for his work in midnight in paris is bringing his trio to windmills craftworks in The Colony, Texas for two nights only: Friday, Nov 21 and Saturday, Nov 22.

With Josh Kaye on guitar and Ari Folman-cohen on bass, the trio will perform music from Wrembel’s newest release, Django New Orleans ii: Hors-Série, a special edition album blending jazz manouche with new orleans traditions. 🎶🔥

11/19/2025

Pianist and composer Kris Davis brings a fearless blend of rhythm, texture, and avant-garde spirit to this set, joined by bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Jonathan Blake. The Kris Davis Trio turns the Tiny Desk into a canvas of exploration, weaving modal colors, sharp rhythms, and conversational improvisation into a captivating performance!

Moving through pieces like “Lost in Geneva” and “Where Does That Tunnel Go,” Davis, Hurst, and Blake create a set that is bold, inviting, and full of motion. 🎹

Issue No. 52 of Más Jazz Magazine (the last printed jazz magazine in Spain) graced shelves in Winter 2021 with a stunnin...
11/14/2025

Issue No. 52 of Más Jazz Magazine (the last printed jazz magazine in Spain) graced shelves in Winter 2021 with a stunning cover designed by David Vaamonde, a French-born artist based in Madrid.

Known for his passion for jazz and elegant visual storytelling, Vaamonde’s work bridges art and sound. From exhibitions across Europe to jazz-inspired collaborations with Oh!JAZZ and Jazz y Más, his creations move with the same rhythm as the music itself. 🖌️🎷

We’re shining a spotlight on Fort Worth’s own Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield! 🎤✨A UNT alum, she is a true innovator in today...
11/12/2025

We’re shining a spotlight on Fort Worth’s own Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield! 🎤✨

A UNT alum, she is a true innovator in today’s jazz scene. As a vocalist, composer, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist, LadyMay has been sharing her radiant voice and spirit in jazz since she was just thirteen! From performing alongside legends to educating the next generation, she continues to push boundaries and inspire with every note. 🎶📚

Swipe to listen to her song “Insomnia” from her album *The Next Chapter*, and explore the rest of her discography! LadyMay is a hometown gem who reminds us that jazz is alive, evolving, and deeply rooted in community! 💫

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Denton, TX
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88.1 The One is KNTU-FM KNTU is licensed to the University of North Texas and is on the air 24 hours, every day of the year, broadcasting with 100,000 watts at 88.1 FM. The station's format is primarily jazz, but also includes Tejano and classical music programming Saturday and Sunday mornings, respectively. KNTU also offers educational and special interest programs, including news, sports, locally produced information/issues programs, and features. KNTU's purpose is essentially three-fold: To serve the public interest with news, public affairs, and entertainment programming for the McKinney, Denton, Dallas-Fort Worth area. To provide news and information of community interest about the University of North Texas. To provide an industry-standards environment in which students learn about radio broadcasting. KNTU's staff is mostly volunteer since the station offers an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable broadcast experience in a variety of areas, including programming and production, news and sports announcing, sales and development, and station administration. All UNT students are eligible to work at KNTU. The studios are in the Radio/TV/Film & Performing Arts Building on the University of North Texas / Denton campus