Improvisations on WUOT
Weekdays from 6:30-8 p.m.
Improvisations, heard weekdays 6:30 to 8 p.m., is produced and hosted locally by Eric Reed (Mondays) Todd Steed (Tuesdays), Paul Parris (Wednesdays), Taber Gable (Thursdays) and Chris Woodhull (Fridays).
Improvisations is curated by a dedicated lineup of jazz fans with over 70 years of jazz radio experience. Our playlists reflect every era of jazz from the earliest New Orleans swing to last week's best releases. We strive to keep the show interesting, listenable, enlightening and entertaining. We love to hear from our listeners and our contact information is located below.
Questions or comments? Email improv@wuot.org
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The Knoxville History Project will celebrate the 100th anniversary of when Knoxville leaders and outdoor enthusiasts took an idea by Annie Davis and created a remarkable grassroots movement to establish a new national park in the Great Smoky Mountains. Jack Neely and Eric Dawson sat down with Todd Steed to talk about the unlikely success of the movement that gave birth to the park. Information for the three day event can be found here. -
As Chrissy Keuper prepared for her move to North Carolina, she sat down with Todd Steed to reflect on her years and various roles at WUOT, from curating classical music, hosting Morning Edition and beyond. Her relationship with the listeners was a special one and she explains in detail what that has meant to her. All of us at WUOT wish her all the best in the next phase of her life and career. -
Steven Matijcio sat down with Todd Steed to discuss his new role as the David L. Butler executive director at KMA. He talks about upcoming plans, thoughts on Knoxville and his strategy for introducing art to his newly arrived daughter. -
Chris Grabenstein was sure he wanted to be a radio DJ... until he actually tried it. After stints at WUOT and W149 while attending UT, Chris changed course and eventually became a beloved writer for young readers. He recently returned to UT to give the commencement address for the College of Communication & Information. He sat down with Todd Steed to discuss his time in Knoxville and his path to becoming a writer. -
May Pang, John Lennon's muse and companion during his "Lost Weekend" will showcase her photos of Lennon at a three-day free exhibition at Little River Art in Knoxville, April 19-21. May Pang talked with Todd Steed about her upcoming visit to Knoxville, her photography, and her years in the eye of an amazing musical hurricane. -
Melony Dodson talks with Eric Dawson, assistant director for the McClung Collection, and keyboardists, Roger Miller and Ron Carter, who will provide live accompaniment for two of Clarence Brown's silent films being shown as part of the Clarence Brown Film Festival held in downtown Knoxville -
Jazz musician, composer and radio host Christian McBride talks Zorn, Mabern, Eric Reed, Donald Brown and all things Big Ears. He's ready to return to Knoxville, a city he wants to know better. -
Composer Jennifer Higdon talks with Todd Steed about her formative years in East Tennessee and how those shaped her work. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform her Cold Mountain Suite as part of the Moxley Carmichael Masterwork Series on March 23-24 at the Tennessee Theatre. -
The Big Ears Festival boasts an amazing offering of jazz this year. Todd talked to legendary sax player Joe Lovano about his varied plans. Also, Gregory Tardy chats about his new, bold project which he will perform at the festival. -
Playwright, novelist, and actress Alice Childress was the first African American woman whose work was professionally produced on the New York stage. Childress wrote the play Trouble in Mind in 1955 and based it largely on her own experiences in the theatre. The play was finally produced on Broadway in 2021 and nominated for four Tony Awards. The Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of Trouble in Mind is directed by visiting artist Marti Gobel, who spoke with WUOT’s Chrissy Keuper.
