Blogs

The Joy of Sax! The Audio Ecotone for June 27, 2025

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Bandleader Harry Gold playing a contrabass saxophone. (Photo: Dr Neil Clifton / The biggest saxophone in the world )

 

On June 28, 1846, Belgian musician and inventor Adophe Sax was granted a patent for his new instrument called the saxophone. The horn was designed to project as well as a brass instrument while retaining the harmonic feeling of a woodwind. While the horn gained some adoption in the military, ragtime and vaudville bands, it wasn't until the 1920s jazz boom that the foundation for the sax's place in popular music was established. On the eve of the 179th anniversary of Sax's patent,  The Audio Ecotone celebrates the saxophone with a wide-ranging selection of music from Charlie Parker, Albert Ayler, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Moon Hooch and a whole host of others. 

(Sorry, no Yakety Sax on the playlist.)

Listen live at 3:00 pm Friday on 95.7 FM in Davis or kdrt.org. The show repeats Saturday at 6:00 pm and Tuesday at 7:00 am.

In the Key of Folk, June 25, 2025

We have another day of recent releases on In the Key of Folk, including tracks by Avery Hill, I'm With Her, My Politic, Steve Gillette, and Helene Cronin. We'll also play a couple of tracks from our neighbors to the north and a few from celtic groups. So join us for another fine hour of largely acoustic music. Tune in at 2 p.m. on KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis, or online at KDRT.org where you can also find when the show replays and oh so many more things!

KDRT broadcasts live from the Davis Music Fest this weekend

The Davis Music Fest turns "Lucky 13" this year, and KDRT is thrilled to continue our tradition of live broadcasts, this time on Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21.

Davis Music Fest offers three days of live performances presented by the all-volunteer Davis Live Music Collective. With seven downtown venues and 40 bands, this all-ages, multi-genre event from June 20 to June 22 has something for everyone.

KDRT is broadcasting live from the fest on days one and two:

  • Friday's opening night at Sudwerk Brewing Co. includes two stages and six bands. KDRT (95.7 FM/kdrt.org) will broadcast from 4 to 8:45 p.m. from the Hopyard Stage featuring the Smoking Data Guns, Ian George, and The Gold Souls. We've also scheduled interviews with Broken Compass Bluegrass, The Big Poppies, The Gold Souls and Boot Juice.
  • On Saturday KDRT will be live from 3 to 8:15 p.m. at Armadillo Music featuring Ian George, Nat Lefkoff, and David Luning, and we'll have a booth on F Street for interviews with Katie Knipp, EleNah, The Snares, Son Cafe, and Tinvis.

Tickets are available here. The festival is a fundraiser for arts and music education in Davis public schools. It's funded partly by a Sacramento Foundation Arts and Culture Grant and by the City of Davis.

In the Key of Folk, June 18, 2025

We are so rich in music these days, with new releases hitting the airwaves! So join us on In the Key of Folk today to hear more new releases and old gems, too.  

The hour will include tracks by Steve Gillette, Heather Hurlock, Arlon Bennett, the Weary Ramblers (love that name!), and classics by Guy Clark, Gordon Lightfoot and more. So again, join us, you might find a new favorite song! Starting soon at 2 p.m. on KDRT 95.7 FM | KDRT.org