WCLK’s begins 50th anniversary with “Great Day in Atlanta”

On April 10, 50 years to the day, local radio station Jazz 91.9 WCLK kicks off its 50th anniversary with a historic picture of the genre’s premiere musicians making a significant milestone in local jazz history.

The weather cleared in time to capture the best of the best in jazz standing on the steps of Harkness Hall on Clark Atlanta University’s campus to create the “Great Day in Atlanta” photograph.

Notable figures seen were WCLK alumni and staff, past and present Atlanta mayors such as Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell, and current mayor Andre Dickins, and former Atlanta First Lady Valerie Jackson, who represented the late Maynard Jackson, were among the front-row attendees at the “Great Day in Atlanta” photo-op.

Inspired by the iconic 1958 photo “A Great Day in Harlem” by Art Kane, the “Great Day in Atlanta” photo emulates the East 126th Brownstone with a renaissance of Atlanta-based artists today.

Wendy F. Williams, the general manager for WCLK for over 30 years, said that the iconic voices that participated in the occasion helped tell the story of jazz and preserve its legacy.

In 1974, the then-Clark College-owned station hit the airwaves, and it is now the National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI) stations for metro Atlanta.

“When WCLK signed on as a fresh and historic voice in the Atlanta market. Now, 50 years later, it stands as one of the premiere Jazz stations in the country,” said David Linton, Program Director for WCLK.

The “WCLK At 50” celebration is scheduled to continue with several events. On April 24, The Perfect Note will host a concert featuring eight-time Grammy Award-winning keyboardist and songwriter Daniel Weatherspoon.

Fayetteville’s new amphitheater, “The Ville,” will host a celebration on May 18 as part of its summer concert series. The event will feature nationally syndicated radio personalities and award-winning jazz artists Bob Baldwin and Regan Whiteside, as well as performances by Ken Ford, PJ Spraggins, and Latrese Bush.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival will commemorate the jazz station with the “WCLK At 50” musical celebration on Friday, May 24, at the Atlanta Symphony Hall with performances by some of the capital city’s preeminent jazz artists, including Kathleen Bertrand, Phil Davis, Joe Gransden, Rhonda Thomas, DJ Kemit, Tony Hightower, Julie Dexter, Mike Burton, Kebbi Williams, Cleveland Jones, and others.

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