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Stephen Braunginn

Jazz plays a large role in my life today along with being an active grandfather following many years wearing different hats in different places.

About Me

I grew up as a preacher's kid, the twin of another, and the brother to four siblings, in a lively home that bounced between Columbus, OH and Nashville, TN. My father—an Episcopal priest deeply committed to justice—marched with Dr. King at the March on Washington, setting a powerful example that shaped my own journey. Our house was filled with jazz, soul, R&B, and all kinds of music that gave life its rhythm. I spent my days exploring outdoors, hiking, and swimming, but the real heartbeat for me was civil rights and activism. After high school in Nashville, I expanded my horizons at the University of Maryland and UMBC, before finding myself in Madison, WI. There, I met my future wife, and together we built a life that blended country living—raising chickens, growing our own food—with teaching special ed in a small-town school district. Jazz kept calling me back, and soon I was spinning records and sharing stories at WORT 89.9 FM with my show, Strictly Jazz. When my wife returned to work, I stayed home with our home- birthed child, keeping the groove alive in our family. Life continued to improvise: more teaching, deeper involvement in politics and civil rights, two kids, and a successful run for elected office. As leader of the Urban League in Madison, I worked to strengthen community ties, but jazz was always in my soul. After stepping back for health reasons, I returned to WORT for another seventeen years, co-hosting Strictly Jazz Sounds with the talented Jane Reynolds. These days, I’m in Columbus, OH, spending time with my granddaughter and keeping jazz alive through my podcast, Strictly Jazz Sounds. My story blends activism and music—sometimes cool, sometimes classic, always true to the rhythm of life.

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it moves my soul, soothes my spirit, fills me with delight. I was first exposed to jazz at home, listening to music my parents played. I met and interviewed many musicians including Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Geri Allen, Kris Davis, Terri Lyne Carrington, Walter Smith III, Tia Fuller, Cecil McBee, Charlie Haden, Joann Brackeen, Jack DeJohnette, Sonny Fortune, and Anthony Braxton. I am a jazz podcast host/producer with 20+ years as a jazz radio host/producer. The best show I ever attended was-oh you make it so hard. It's between Geri Allen, Directions in Music by Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Roy Hargrove and Terri Lyne Carrington; and Kris Davis/Robert Hurst/Johnathan Blake. The first jazz record I bought was Wes Montgomery's "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery." My advice to new listeners...listen to what feels and hears right for you at the moment, read about musicians and definitely go to listen and see live jazz. Or whatever else you have in mind. Jazz is the ultimate democracy. Jazz is the music of Black Americans by Black Americans given to the world to embrace. Be alive in jazz.

My House Concert Story

I can say yes, I have attended and hosted a jazz house concert. Both of them were in Madison, WI. The one we hosted was for our daughter's high school graduation party, featuring Hanah Jon Taylor on tenor sax (AACM-The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) and a drummer from Chicago, AACM, Vincent Davis, with a pianist whose name I can no longer remember (that was in 1999). It was a remarkable event as these kids had no idea who was there in our living room. The doors and windows were flung wide open while music wafted through the air. The one I attended was less glamorous thus not worth saying much about.