A Note on Site Security and Stability, Plus Remembering Bob Rogers

I wanted to share an update on the steps we've taken recently to mitigate the impact of increased bot activity—both malicious and benign—on All About Jazz and Jazz Near You.

Like many publishers across the web, we've seen a significant rise in automated traffic hitting our servers. This activity affects page load speed and, just as importantly, generates false usage numbers that are reported to third-party services we rely on and are billed for. In short, bots cost real money and real time.

Over the past week, we implemented additional Cloudflare security measures across our websites to counter a steady escalation of attacks. The situation has stabilized, but it will require ongoing monitoring and adjustment.

Beyond bots, there is reason to believe there may also be a concerted effort to disrupt the site. Unfortunately, this is not new. All About Jazz has been targeted before—dating back to 1997. Who is behind these efforts, or why they target AAJ, remains unclear. It may relate to our longevity, our reach, or simply what the platform represents. What is clear is that we operate with a modest staff and modest financial resources. When we're forced into a defensive posture, it inevitably pulls focus away from what we do best: building the platform and expanding on the work we began in 1995.

Yes, it's frustrating. 2026 was meant to build on the momentum we established in 2025, and while we will get back on track, the security work has temporarily impacted certain functionality—most notably file uploads (such as gallery images and album covers in discographies). Resolving these issues is our top priority, and we're actively working through them.

I'll continue to share updates as we move forward.

If you find yourself blocked from accessing any part of the site, please email me and let me know exactly where the block occurred. And if you encounter Cloudflare verification screens while browsing, don't be alarmed—they're simply confirming that you're a legitimate user.

Thank you for your patience and continued support. We remain focused, resilient, and committed to the long-term health of All About Jazz.

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Remembering Bob Rogers

We wanted to recognize the passing of internet radio trailblazer Bob Rogers, who founded Taint Radio in 2008—an international alliance of independent producers dedicated to presenting music and music-related programming on a 24/7 basis. Bob's career spanned more than 60 years in radio, from working with Buck Owens' stations in the 1960s, to underground radio in Lake Tahoe, to managing Pacifica Radio's Houston station and many other endeavors, culminating in his outstanding online radio platform, TaintRadio.org.

Bob assembled a talented and eclectic roster of hosts, many of whom present their shows on All About Jazz, including Maurice Hogue, Hobart Taylor, Cheryl K., Jua Howard, Benjamin Boddie, and Bob Osborne. Hobart Taylor, host of Allston Boylston, described Bob as "deeply iconoclastic and witty—he shared profound observations with a gentle, self-effacing, and wry smile," while Maurice Hogue, host of One Man's Jazz, added, "Bob created a streaming station with volunteers who had complete freedom. It was novel for the time, but it worked," with Bob Osborne, host of World of Jazz sharing, "I am grateful to Bob for letting me be part of the Taint family where he gave me access to a much wider audience and allowed me to broaden the scope and content of my shows." 

I personally communicated with Bob Rogers over the years and spoke with him on several occasions around the time he decided to retire. Bob had a vision and inspired everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. While I couldn't keep his vision for Taint Radio alive in its original form, I was able to provide its hosts with a home on All About Jazz, helping them reach a new audience. In that way, the spirit of Bob Rogers' vision lives on.

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Posted to Publisher's Desk IN THE All About Jazz GROUP
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