Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Jazz
  •  

Falling In Love Supreme: Carl Watanabe Recounts Buying His First Jazz Album

  •  Carl Watanabe 
Sunday, January 25, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
  

When I was at San Francisco State University, I shared a place on Levant Street, just off Twin Peaks. Fay Roy, the guy who rented the house, was part of the jazz scene. He invited Roland Kirk and his wife Dorthann over for dinner, and later, we went to the Jazz Workshop on Broadway, to see Roland Kirk’s band play.

Kirk was known for being able to play three saxophones at once (he was a one-man reed section) and made an immense impression on stage. I was knocked out by the huge sound he got. So I fell into going to Jazz Workshop regularly. But I wasn't sure I even liked jazz. I like being part of the scene.

Then John Coltrane came to town. He’d just released My Favorite Things, probably his best known album and his biggest seller.

When his quartet played, for the first time, I got totally swept up in the music, it was as if I were carried away into another universe. The crowd, the people around me, everyone started yelling, it was as though we were going nuts. Seeing Coltrane that night made me realize I'd never really understood the power of music. I can't recall much else about the music, other than I wished more than anything I could play like him.

I bought the album the next day. It was the first jazz album I’d ever owned; played it to death.


This is part of a series about how our music hosts fell in love with the artform of jazz. 

We're inviting you to share your story of how you came to love jazz, in 200 words or less. Email your essay to [email protected] before February 14. We’ll read the top submissions on air and award several prizes.

    More about Falling In Love Supreme

  • Falling In Love Supreme

    Our music hosts contemplate the performances, songs and artists which sent them into a life time love affair with jazz as part of our series "Falling In Love Supreme." Listener-submission contest finalist essays are now posted.

 Falling In Love Supreme

Carl Watanabe

Former Station Manager

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: The COVID surge may be larger than reported

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: The COVID surge may be larger than reported

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.