Robert Ginsburg

KUAF host of "Shades of Jazz"

Robert 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 University of Arkansas radio station KUAF. The program, Shades of Jazz, airs on Friday and Saturday nights from at 10:00 PM 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 has assisted in booking and directing jazz activities at Walton Arts Center and serves as their jazz curator.

In 1992 Robert founded the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society (www.digjazz.com), a non-profit membership organization dedicated to “…present, promote and preserve and celebrate jazz music in all of its forms.” For the past twenty two years the NAJS has brought world-class jazz musicians to N.W. Arkansas, created a scholarship program for music students wishing to further pursue their jazz education, and has sponsored a Summer Jazz Concert series which features regional and international artists in concerts together. Mr. Ginsburg has 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 new Walmart Amp, the 10,400 seat outdoor music pavilion in Roger Ark.

Ways to Connect

Merging Musical Influences From Four Continents

By • Oct 9, 2018
courtesy: George Brooks

George Brooks is a saxophonist and composer, and his band Aspada draws on musical influences from India, Africa, Europe and America. Friday night, the band will perform at Walton Arts Center. We speak with Brooks about his musical influences and career prior to his performance in Fayetteville.

Grammy-Winner O'Farrill in Bentonville

By • Sep 13, 2018
courtesy: Crystal Bridges/Laura Mariet

The Van Cliburn Series continues at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville tomorrow night with Arturo O'Farrill. Robert Ginsburg, host of Shades of Jazz on KUAF, talked with the pianist recently about his music.

Mwenso and the Shakes Stir it Up

By • Sep 11, 2018
courtesy: Walton Arts Center

Mwenso and the Shakes will open the Walton Arts Center's 10x10 season Friday night. They'll bring a global approach and a dance floor with them.

Seven-String Jazz

By • Aug 14, 2018
courtesy: Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society

Ted Ludwig moved from New Orleans to Arkansas after Hurricane Katrina. He talks with Robert Ginsburg, host of KUAF's Shades of Jazz, about the move, his guitar and his own compositions. His trio will end the KUAF Summer Jazz Concert Series at Haxton Road Studios Friday night.

A Sampler of Summer Night Swing

By , & • Jul 30, 2018

In mid-June, we spent three hours at the Fayetteville Public Library celebrating a pair of long-running shows: KUAF’s The Pickin’ Post and Shades of Jazz. First in this sampler of that night's music, we hear singer and songwriter Steve Fischer and then a collection of jazz musicians from northwest Arkansas including Claudia Burson, Matt Beach, Ben Harris, Darren Novotny, Austin Farnam, Garrett Jones.

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