Robert Ginsburg
Host of Shades of JazzRobert Ginsburg has lived in Fayetteville with his wife, Susan Jenkins, since 1976. He was born in St. Louis Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Structural Design.
In 1979, he began producing a jazz radio show at KUAF. The program, Shades of Jazz, airs on Friday and Saturday nights from at 10 to midnight.
In 1991, Ginsburg was recruited as a member of a steering committee to help bring focus and direction to the emerging Walton Arts Center. He assisted in booking and directing jazz activities at center and serves as its jazz curator.
In 1992, Robert founded the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society (NAJS), a non-profit membership organization dedicated to “…present, promote and preserve and celebrate jazz music in all of its forms.” For the past 22 years, the NAJS has brought world-class jazz musicians to Northwest Arkansas, created a scholarship program for music students wishing to further pursue jazz education, and sponsored a Summer Jazz Concert series featuring regional and international artists. Ginsburg served as executive director of the NAJS since its inception.
Beginning in March 2014, Ginsburg took on a new role as front of house manager for the Walmart Amp, a 10,400-seat outdoor music pavilion in Rogers.
-
The Walton Arts Center’s Starrlight Jazz Club season begins Sept. 20 with a concert by Brazilian virtuoso André Mehmari, who spoke with Robert Ginsburg about music, improvisation, and his lifelong love of radio. -
On today's show, we learn that average weekly wages were down in Crawford and Sebastian Counties in the first quarter of 2025. Also, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas opens its season tomorrow at Walton Arts Center. Plus, some Brazilian jazz piano. -
The UARK Jazz Festival is continuing through part of next week. Last night, Artist-in-Residence Steve Wilson performed with the UofA jazz faculty at the Music Depot in downtown Rogers. Tomorrow night, Wilson is performing with the NWACC All-Stars, UofA faculty and students at Thaden School as part of the UofA College Concert. -
On today's show, a day devoted to math discovery is open to everyone for the second year in a row. Also, the economic squeeze is on local coffee entrepreneurs. Plus, Michael Tilley returns with headlines from the River Valley.
-
Jazz returns to Walton Arts Center this weekend, and Robert Ginsburg, host of KUAF’s “Shades of Jazz,” says the concert is a full-circle moment. -
Fayetteville is outlining priorities for arts and culture in the city. On today's show, we hear more about an arts and culture plan Fayetteville is adopting. Also today, the state of the state’s economy. Plus, Nancy Hartney discusses her new novel “The Blue Bottle Tree.” -
The Starlight JazzClub season at Walton Arts Center begins Saturday, Sept. 7, with the Sean Mason Quartet performing in the Starr Theater. Mason’s jazz mixes old and new. Saturday night audiences will likely hear original music and interpretations of standards going back a century. Last week, Robert Ginsburg, host of Shades of Jazz on KUAF, talked with Sean Mason about the upcoming performance. -
On today's show, a charter school in Benton County hopes to heal the wounds of childhood trauma. Also, Sean Mason comes to Walton Arts Center this weekend with a whole host of musical influences in tow. Plus, a new giant will be guarding over Route 66 soon. -
Shades of Jazz host and Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society founder and artistic director host Robert Ginsburg joins Kyle Kellams to discuss upcoming Summer Jazz Concert Series events. -
Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society founder and artistic director Robert Ginsburg talks with Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams about upcoming Jazz events.
