PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2022– Beloved longtime jazz radio host Bob Perkins will retire from fulltime hosting on WRTI-FM/Philadelphia in June, the public radio station of Temple University in Philadelphia announced today.
A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997, helping establish the station as one of the country’s leading jazz music broadcasters. He currently hosts from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday and from 9 am to 1 pm Sundays. He will continue to host his Sunday program.
Bob Perkins said of his retirement, “After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year. So this is a good time to retire from fulltime hosting at the station and reflect on where I’ve been, with whom I’ve talked and what I have learned over the decades as a newsman, editorial writer, and jazz music host, and see where that leads me. I look forward to the opportunity to pick up the mic at WRTI on Sundays to continue to serve all the listeners with finely-tuned ears who have said that I’ve helped keep jazz music alive in Philadelphia and beyond.”
The South Philadelphia native has been one of the greatest voices of the city’s airwaves since 1969 when he joined R& B station WDAS in an influential news and editorial position after working in Detroit radio for five years. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI.
For the last 25 years, he’s become known for his warm, personable on-air style, extensive knowledge of jazz, and thoughtful, wide-ranging music mix. In addition to his job as WRTI jazz host, Perkins has written numerous columns and commentaries on jazz and has hosted a multitude of concerts at jazz clubs and festivals.
William Johnson, General Manager of WRTI said, “Bob’s contributions to jazz are innumerable. He’s introduced thousands, if not millions, of listeners to this music over the course of his career, delighted young and old with his signature sound, and been a tireless advocate for jazz appreciation and education. He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. I’m thrilled he’ll continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!’
Perkins has received dozens of awards and honors recognizing his outstanding career and contributions to Philadelphia jazz, including being honored with a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the city’s Avenue of the Arts in 2016. In 2007, he was recognized with a proclamation by Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003.
For more about WRTI, visit www.wrti.org.
About WRTI
WRTI 90.1 FM is a member-supported, non-commercial, values-driven classical music and jazz public media station located in Philadelphia, with 14 frequencies serving listeners in PA, NJ, and DE. The mission of WRTI is to champion music as a vital cultural resource. WRTI’s core values include discovery, curation, performance, community, preservation, and education. A broadcast service of Temple University, WRTI is also an NPR member station. WRTI is on the radio at 90.1 FM, and 24-hour classical and jazz streams are available online at WRTI.org, on the WRTI Mobile App, and on Amazon and Google smart speakers.
