Grandma Cyd

01/22/2025

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is headed to Madison next week! Hear my interview with Wynton Marsalis on WVMO - The Voice of Monona. All times Central:

🎺 The VMO Show, Thursday, 1/23 at 12 PM
🎺 Jazz Brunch with Grandma Cyd, Sunday, 1/26 at 10 AM
🎺 The VMO Show, Monday, 1/27 at 10 PM
🎺 The VMO Show, Wednesday, 1/29 at 12 PM

This week on 'The VMO Show,' Grandma Cyd talks with Wynton Marsalis, who's coming to the Overture Center for the Arts on Wednesday, January 29. He shares why there's something for everyone to love in jazz, and why you should dust off that old instrument you haven't played in years.

Tune in:
Thursday, 1/23 at 12 PM
Monday, 1/27 at 10pm or
Wednesday, 1/29 at 12 PM

📸 by Frank Stewart

01/22/2025

Hey radio fam— thanks for hanging in there while I’ve been hibernating. Thanks especially to WSUM 91.7 FM and WVMO - The Voice of Monona station management for allowing me this time away to rest, restore, and mind my mental health (though what a time to emerge from the cocoon 🫣). I hope you’ve enjoyed the “Best Of” editions of HPZ and Jazz Brunch.

At last, I’m returning live to the airwaves this weekend, and boy oh boy do we have something special to share with you on WVMO!

Few people on this earth would peel me out of the house in 7-below weather, but that’s just one of the many magical powers Wynton Marsalis possesses. We’re thrilled to talk with him on this week’s “VMO Show” and “Jazz Brunch!” Be sure to tune in!

12/28/2024

📡 Program Note:

🎶 HPZ is off this holiday weekend but will return next Saturday!

🎺 This week's Jazz Brunch is a "best of" edition featuring Chet Baker, Buddy Rich, Ella, Maxine, Monk, Mingus, and much more! Tune in 10 AM-12 PM (Central) on 98.7 WVMO - The Voice of Monona and at wvmo.fm.

Send a message to learn more

12/21/2024

📻 Program Update:

✨ Last week on HPZ, I mentioned I might try to put together a “Best of HPZ Holiday” show for tonight. Unfortunately, that did not/could not happen. Might I suggest tuning in to a rebroadcast of “Polka Time” with DJ Shotski on WVMO - The Voice of Monona instead?

🎄 Sunday morning, it’s Holiday Jazz Brunch, also on 98.7 FM-WVMO and streaming at wvmo.fm. We’ll hear jazz arrangements of your favorite holiday classics from artists old and new! Cozy up from 10 AM-12 PM (Central).

12/20/2024

Radio friends and fam--

Life has been something of a whirlwind, and I never got around to telling you about my upcoming holiday set at Lola's Madison this Saturday. Given the events of this week, it feels inappropriate for me to promote anything "merry and bright" right now, so this is the only post you will see from me about it.

If you feel that something like this would be a comfort, a welcome distraction, or in any way good for you, great. If your heart is telling you to stay home or be elsewhere with loved ones, I am the first to understand.

Take good care of yourselves and check in on one another.

12/15/2024

Here's what you heard on the 20th Annual HPZ Holiday Sing-Along Spectacular! ➡ http://www.heavypettingzoo.org/20th-annual-hpz-holiday-sing-along-spectacular-playlist/

If you missed it or want to listen again, catch it on WSUM's 24-Hour Reply channel. Simply go to wsum.org and click on "24-Hour Replay," then scroll to 7:00 PM.

12/14/2024

Celebrating 20 years of holiday cheer! 🎄

The 20th annual Sing-Along Special is tonight! Gather 'round your radio (or bluetooth speaker) and tune in for two hours of holiday classics from your favorite Big Bands and crooners. Plus, our favorite annual tradition: A live reading of "A Visit From St. Nicholas" by guest co-host Noel Snowe!

Tune in LIVE 7-9 PM (Central) on WSUM 91.7 FM. Stream from anywhere at wsum.org. ✨

12/08/2024

I’m in a golden mood this morning. Tune into “Jazz Brunch” on WVMO - The Voice of Monona for some audio sunshine ☀️.

Stream live at WVMO.fm. 10AM-12PM (Central) on 98.7 FM in Monona and surrounding areas.

12/07/2024

TONIGHT! A tribute to some of the artists, composers, producers, and arrangers we lost in 2024. This is always a bittersweet show-- a showcase of immense talent against the backdrop of the loss of legends.

Tune in live 7-9 PM (Central) on WSUM 91.7 FM in Madison and surrounding areas. Stream from anywhere at wsum.org.

12/06/2024

🎄🌟 'Tis the season to be jolly, and there's so much to look forward to this month! Set reminders for 👇

📻 December 14, 7-9 PM (Central): 20th Annual HPZ Holiday Sing-Along Spectacular on WSUM 91.7 FM

🎶 December 21, 5-8 PM: Christmas Crooner Classics live at Lola's Madison

📻 December 22, 10 AM (Central): Holiday "Jazz Brunch" on WVMO - The Voice of Monona.

11/30/2024

I’ve been looking forward to trying out the new mocktail, The Cosnomo, at Lola's Madison. Delish! Come try one out! I’m spinning till 8 PM. .akawa takes over the decks at 9.

11/30/2024

Taking the 📻 show on the road tonight! Spinning “the Big Bands & Beyond” at Lola's Madison from 5-8 PM!

HPZ will return next week.

11/24/2024

This week's HPZ featured requests for Marlene Dietrich, some early jazz at the hands of the New Orleans Lucky Seven, and kitschy background music from Jonah Jones and "the 'Swinginest' Chorale". View the entire playlist at http://www.heavypettingzoo.org/november-23-2024-playlist/

Listen back until 9 PM (CT) on WSUM's 24-Hour Replay channel at wsum.org.

11/21/2024

I'm coming out of hibernation because 'tis the season to get cozy at Lola's Madison! 🎶❄️

On Saturday, November 30, I'm taking "the Big Bands & Beyond" on the road. Stop by between 5-8 PM to hear your HPZ favorites on the Lola's hi-fi.

I also have some holiday jazz up my sleeve coming your way in December. This is the time of year when our favorite Big Bands and vocalists really shine. 🌟 Details to come.

Be there with bells on!

11/10/2024

Lerdy, look what they made available only after my 12-year search for it came to a close (and I paid more for it). I'm sharing this joy with you so you don't have to toil like I did!

This beloved 1963 Impulse! LP is a career highlight for both Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane. Hartman was apparently Coltrane's suggestion for the recording date, and his deep, dark voice meshes perfectly here with Coltrane's tenor. The material is well-chosen, including definitive readings of "My....

11/09/2024

This week hurt. But in Quincy’s honor, we will dance! Two chances to celebrate a legacy:

Saturday 7-9 PM (Central) on WSUM 91.7 FM in and online at WSUM.org

Sunday 10 AM-12 PM (Central) on 98.7 FM WVMO - The Voice of Monona in and online at WVMO.fm

11/04/2024

The world lost a legend yesterday…

The prolific music producer and arranger had an incalculable impact on American popular music, from bebop to hip-hop.