Gary G. Vercelli
Jazz Music Director

Gary Vercelli knew at an early age that jazz was his passion. "In high school, there was a 24-hour jazz station in Los Angeles, when commercial radio and jazz were not the oxymoron they are today," says Gary. "I used to listen to that station and think, one day, I'd like to work there." Eventually, he did. While attending college at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Gary launched his radio career. "After graduating, I worked at KCRW, an NPR affiliate in Santa Monica," he recalls. "While I was there, I coordinated 70 hours of weekly jazz programming and produced a pilot for NPR's Jazz Alive! series."
Gary then accepted a job at KBCA, the commercial jazz station of his high school days. During this time, he also served as the L.A. correspondent for Down Beat magazine and wrote liner notes for leading jazz record labels.
In 1980, Gary moved to Sacramento to serve as Jazz Music Director at KXPR, Capital Public Radio’s original, multi-format station. For the next 11 years, in addition to supervising the station's jazz programming and concert activity, he produced and hosted Jazz International, a popular nightly jazz program. When CapRadio added its second station, KXJZ, with a jazz and news format in 1991, Gary easily assumed the role of music director. Before the station celebrated its fourth anniversary, Gary was named "Jazz Broadcaster of the Year" by the Gavin Report, a respected, national music industry chart. In 1993, the same publication proclaimed KXJZ "National Jazz Station of the Year." More recently, Gary was recognized by Jazz Week with the prestigious Duke Dubois Humanitarian Award, acknowledging his lifetime of achievement and service to the community.
CapRadio’s program schedules have changed over the years, meeting the community’s growing demand for more NPR and NPR-style news programming. The “Excellence in Jazz” sound established by Gary nearly four decades ago – a sound he continues to refine -- is now featured Sunday through Friday evenings, following a full day of classical music on KXPR, KXSR, and KXJS. Gary continues to host EIJ three nights a week, along with Acid Jazz, Saturdays on KXJZ. He also programs CapRadio’s 24-hour digital music service, www.JazzStream.org.
When he's not on the air or previewing music for the station, Gary enjoys visiting the Bay Area, cooking, and teaching Iyengar yoga, which he has studied for more than 30 years. "I also have an interest in fine Italian wines, which is diametrically opposed to my yoga interest," he laments with a grin. "I guess I'm a classic example of east meets west."
Acid Jazz
Old school, New school...the soulful experience of Acid Jazz
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Excellence in Jazz
The Giants of Mainstream Jazz plus today's most exciting straight-ahead emerging artists with contemporary vocals and spices of Blues and Latin Jazz.
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Ear To Ear: Jazz Music Of Resistance, Change, Revolution And Love
September 1, 2020
In our current era of political turmoil, pandemic and the fight for racial justice, many songs of protest, struggle, hope and resistance that were written decades ago feel just as relevant today as when they were written.
Ear To Ear: What Makes A Jazz Classic?
June 2, 2020
CapRadio Jazz Music Director Gary G. Vercelli takes a deep dive into his music library to answer the question: What makes a piece of jazz music a contemporary classic?
Jazz Label Posi-Tone Offers CapRadio-Curated Digital Download For Donors
May 4, 2020
CapRadio jazz music director Gary Vercelli interviews Marc Free, the founder of Posi-Tone Records, about the label's artistic philosophy, strong support of young artists and positive outlook during this global pandemic.
Ear to Ear: Rare Gems From ECM Records
March 3, 2020
CapRadio’s Gary Vercelli runs through some great pieces from the catalogue of ECM Records, founded 51 years ago this year.
Ear To Ear: 10 Jazz Artists To Watch In 2020
February 4, 2020
As CapRadio’s jazz hosts review new releases, they find some that just have that magic about them. Here are 10 artists to watch in 2020 who have that something special.
Ear To Ear: What Our Jazz Hosts Are Listening To This January
January 7, 2020
Our jazz music hosts are your tastemakers on the air, but this monthly playlist will give you a peek into their minds (and ears) with some of their favorite pieces.
Ear To Ear: CapRadio Jazz Hosts’ Favorite Music Of The Decade
December 3, 2019
The 2010s are coming to an end on Dec. 31, so CapRadio’s jazz hosts are here to tell you about their favorite jazz music from this past decade in this month’s Ear to Ear playlist blog.
Ear To Ear: Here’s What CapRadio’s Jazz Hosts Are Loving This November
November 5, 2019
Our jazz music hosts are your tastemakers on the air, but this monthly playlist will give you a peek into their minds (and ears) with some of their favorite pieces.
Ear To Ear: Here’s What CapRadio’s Jazz Hosts Are Loving This October
October 1, 2019
Our jazz music hosts are your tastemakers on the air, but this monthly playlist will give you a peek into their minds (and ears) with some of their favorite pieces.
CapRadio Travels: Reflections On Live Jazz In Chile And Argentina
November 14, 2018
November is a great time to visit Chile and Argentina. It’s early spring, the jacarandas are in full bloom, and the weather is quite agreeable. It was a pleasure to travel with 40 jazz enthusiasts on another trip with CapRadio Travels.