Editing CJRT-FM

{{Short description|Jazz radio station in Toronto}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name                = CJRT-FM
| logo                = CJRT-FM.png
| city                = [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]]
| area                = [[Greater Toronto Area]]
| branding            = JAZZ.FM91
| frequency           = 91.1 [[Hertz|MHz]] 
| airdate             = {{Start date and age|1949|11|22|p=y|br=yes}}
| format              = [[Jazz]]/[[Public broadcasting|Public Radio]]
| licensing_authority = [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|CRTC]]
| erp                 = 40,000 [[watt]]s
| haat                = {{convert|420.5|meters}}
| class               = C1
| coordinates         = {{coord|43|38|33|N|79|23|14|W|type:landmark_region:CA|display=inline,title}}
| former_frequencies  = 88.3 MHz (1949–1950)
| callsign_meaning    = '''C'''anada '''J'''ournalism '''R'''adio '''T'''echnology
| owner               = CJRT-FM Inc.
| webcast             = [https://www.jazz.fm Listen Live]
| website             = {{URL|https://www.jazz.fm|jazz.fm}}
}}

'''CJRT-FM''' (91.1 [[Hertz|MHz]]) is a Canadian [[public radio]] station and charitable arts organization in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], known as ''JAZZ.FM91''. The studios are on Pardee Avenue in the [[Liberty Village]] neighbourhood of Toronto. The station describes itself as Canada's only 24-hour all-[[jazz]] radio station, with evening and weekend specialty shows devoted to jazz-influenced [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[blues]], [[big band]] and [[Latin jazz]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Weekly Program Schedule |url=https://jazz.fm/program-schedule/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref> It has a professional staff of on-air hosts, with more than 90 volunteers assisting. It is listener-supported and holds periodic on-air fundraisers, seeking donations to support the station.

CJRT-FM has an [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) of 40,000 watts. Its transmitter is atop the [[CN Tower]].<ref>[https://fccdata.org/?lang=en&canfm=CJRT-FM FCCdata.org/CJRT-FM]</ref> 

The station is simulcast on [[Bell Satellite TV]] channel 960, [[Rogers Wireless|Rogers NextBox]] channel 933, and [[Shaw Direct]] channel 869.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvchannellists.com/List_of_Bell_Satellite_TV_channels|title = List of Bell Satellite TV channels – TVCL – TV Channel Lists}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Streaming |url=https://jazz.fm/streaming/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref>

JAZZ.FM91 is a registered charity<ref>{{Cite web |title=About JAZZ.FM91 |url=https://jazz.fm/about/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=JAZZ.FM91 |url=https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/jazzfm91-inc/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=CanadaHelps - Donate to any charity in Canada |language=en}}</ref> that provides youth programs, workshops, internships and scholarships in partnership with educational institutions and other arts organizations.

==History==
===Origins===
In 1949, Ryerson Institute of Technology (now [[Toronto Metropolitan University]]) received CBC approval to operate an educational FM station in Toronto (88.3 MHz - 3,000 watts).

On April 6, 1964, the licensee name was changed to the board of governors of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (as it was then known), and CJRT-FM became a professionally staffed radio service, with the broadcast schedule increased from 7{{nbsp}}am to midnight seven days a week.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=CJRT-FM {{!}} History of Canadian Broadcasting |url=https://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/radio/cjrt-fm |website=www.broadcasting-history.ca |accessdate=6 July 2019}}</ref> There was still some student training but that ended a few years later. Future Station Manager Cam Finley joined the station in December.<ref name="history" /> It played [[classical music|classical]], [[jazz]], and [[folk music]], with educational and public affairs programming, children's shows, and comedy from the [[BBC]].<ref name="history" />

===Independence===
In 1973, Ryerson announced its intention to surrender the broadcast licence of CJRT-FM due to financial restraints. By now the station had achieved somewhat of a profile and the story reached the press. After a large public outcry, a year later in 1974, [[Premier of Ontario|Ontario Premier]] [[Bill Davis]] announced that the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|provincial legislature]] would pass legislation to create an independent corporation to run the station and buy the license.<ref name="history" /> On November 29, CJRT-FM INC. was incorporated by Ontario Letters Patent and CJRT-FM was transferred from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute to the new non-profit corporation. The station received money from the Ontario government and from companies and listeners through fundraising.<ref name="history" /> Cam Finley was appointed acting manager in 1973, general manager in 1974 and president and GM in 1979. John Valentyn launched a weekly blues program. Bud Riley joined CJRT as news and public affairs director.

In co-operation with Ryerson and [[York University]]'s Atkinson College, CJRT offered several on-air [[Open College (Toronto)|Open College]] courses from 1971 to 2003. In 2003, the service was transferred to Ryerson's [[G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education]], which offers [[distance education]] through the internet, print, and recorded media rather than on radio. In its last years, Open College broadcasts aired Sunday mornings from 6{{nbsp}}am to 8{{nbsp}}am.<ref>[http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=418&historyID=199 "Radio Station History - CJRT (JAZZ)-FM, Toronto, CJRT-FM Inc."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426082952/http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=418&historyID=199# |date=2005-04-26 }}, Canadian Communications Foundation</ref>

Following Ryerson's loss of ownership of CJRT in 1974, [[CKLN-FM]] was licensed as Ryerson's campus radio station from 1983 to 2011<ref name=ryehis>{{cite news|title=A timeline of Ryerson's radio history, 1949-2014|url=http://www.ryersonian.ca/a-timeline-of-ryersons-radio-history-1949-2014/|accessdate=October 29, 2014|work=Ryersonian|date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> followed by [[CJTM]] since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/radio/cjru-am|title = CJRU-AM &#124; History of Canadian Broadcasting}}</ref>

In 1975, Glen Woodcock began hosting ''The Big Band Show'', which was still running more than 45 years later.<ref name="history" /><ref name=":0" />

=== New format ===
In January 2001, the station quietly switched to an all-jazz format and rebranded as ''JAZZ.FM91''.<ref name="history" /> In 2004 [[Ross_Porter_(Canadian_broadcaster)|Ross Porter]], whose weeknight jazz programs on [[CBC Radio]] had made him a national name, and who later helped CanWest launch COOL-TV and Cool.FM radio, was hired to replace Chuck Camroux in July, as president and CEO

Two years later, after nearly 14 years occupying Ryerson property at 150 Mutual Street, CJRT moved to its current street-front facilities at 4 Pardee Ave. in the Liberty Village neighbourhood of Toronto.<ref name="history" /> By this point, the station had added several more on-air personalities including Terry McElligott, Ralph Benmergui, Heather Bambrick, Bill King, Jaymz Bee, Walter Venafro, Reiner Schwarz, Amanda Martinez, many remain with the station to this day.<ref name=":0" />

===Leadership change===
Then-president and CEO Ross Porter stepped down as CEO in June of 2018, following an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct and creating a toxic work environment. Charles Cutts, former president and CEO of the Corporation of Massey Hall and [[Roy Thomson Hall]], was appointed interim CEO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Paassen|first1=Kevin |title=Toronto's JAZZ.FM91 CEO steps down in wake of probe into sexual-harassment allegations |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-torontos-jazzfm91-ceo-steps-down-in-wake-of-probe-into-sexual/ |publisher=Globe and Mail}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=JAZZ.FM91 members call on board to resign as station defends its decision to keep former president and CEO Ross Porter on air |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-jazzfm91-members-call-on-board-to-resign-as-station-defends-its/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Former morning host of Toronto's JAZZ.FM91 sues station, alleging years of bullying by former CEO |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-former-morning-host-of-torontos-jazzfm91-sues-station-alleging-years/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Major donor accuses JAZZ.FM91 of mishandling sexual-harassment allegations against former CEO |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-major-donor-accuses-jazzfm91-of-mishandling-sexual-harassment/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Comments |first1=Posted: 06/8/2018 6:32 PM |title=Ross Porter steps down as CEO of Toronto jazz station in wake of sexual-harassment allegations |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/ross-porter-steps-down-as-ceo-of-toronto-jazz-station-in-wake-of-sexual-harassment-allegations-485008083.html |work=Winnipeg Free Press |date=8 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Vincent |first1=Donovan |title=Former JAZZ.FM host Garvia Bailey sues for wrongful dismissal |url=https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8870049-former-jazz-fm-host-garvia-bailey-sues-for-wrongful-dismissal/ |website=TheSpec.com |language=en-CA |date=30 August 2018}}</ref> 

A short time later, the station cut four hosts - [[Jaymz Bee]], Mark Wigmore, Walter Venafro and David Basskin. David Wall, director of community outreach and education, and two other employees were also affected. There was also a shake up at the boardroom level. Chair Renah Persofsky was replaced by David McGown. In December of 2018 long time Midday host Terry McElligott resigned his position at the station.

The turmoil resulted in the departure of a number of on-air staff and a decline in donations to the station. At the end of 2018 a group of JAZZ.FM91 donors formed a group called “Save JAZZFM” and launched a campaign to hold an extraordinary meeting of the charity’s membership. Following an Ontario Court ruling granting access to the membership contact information to the Save JAZZFM under the leadership of Brian Hemming. A sufficient proportion of the membership signed a petition requiring the board of directors to call the extraordinary meeting to overturn the station's board of directors. A general meeting of the membership held on February 15, 2019, succeeded in removing the board by a vote of 446 to 435, electing a new board composed of the dissident group.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Houpt |first1=Simon |title=JAZZ.FM91 board overthrown by dissident member group |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-jazzfm91-board-overthrown-by-dissident-member-group/ |accessdate=April 2, 2019 |work=Globe and Mail |date=February 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Crawford |first1=Trish |title=Jazz.FM91 gets its voice back after the upheaval of 2018 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2019/06/13/jazzfm91-gets-its-voice-back-after-the-upheaval-of-2018.html |accessdate=November 28, 2019 |work=Toronto Star |date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> 

Lorie Russell, vice president and managing director of JAZZ.FM91 announced in September 2020 that she would be leaving the station in mid-December. Former JAZZ.FM Director of Sales and Marketing Dana Wigle returned to the station as general manager.,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2020-09-23 |title=JAZZ.FM91 searching for next GM as Lorie Russell exits |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/jazz-fm91-searching-for-next-gm-as-lorie-russell-departs/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ink |first=Radio |date=2020-09-23 |title=Russell Leaving JAZZ-FM Toronto |url=https://radioink.com/2020/09/23/russell-leaving-jazz-fm-toronto/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Radio Ink |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="history" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-16 |title=JAZZ.FM91 appoints Dana Wigle as new General Manager |url=https://jazz.fm/news-release-jazz-fm91-appoints-dana-wigle-as-new-general-manager/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref> Under new management, JAZZ.FM91 won several broadcasting awards<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2020-04-21 |title=JAZZ.FM91 documentary wins gold at NYF Radio Awards |url=https://jazz.fm/jazz-fm91-documentary-wins-gold-at-nyf-radio-awards/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name="silver" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Winners Gallery - New York Festivals |url=https://radio.newyorkfestivals.com/Winners/list/0ba71550-d2a9-40b0-9885-f3912b179fa3 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=radio.newyorkfestivals.com}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Radio |first=H. D. |date=2021-11-16 |title=Announcing the winners of the 2021 Canadian Radio Awards, presented by HD Radio |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2021-canadian-radio-awards-presented-by-hd-radio/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-11-16 |title=JAZZ.FM91 wins two 2021 Canadian Radio Awards |url=https://jazz.fm/jazzfm91-canadian-radio-awards-2021-broadcast-dialogue/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Winners Gallery - New York Festivals |url=https://radio.newyorkfestivals.com/winners/List/b0203a69-d665-4bad-8247-3df57533420c |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=radio.newyorkfestivals.com}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-12 |title=JAZZ.FM91 named a finalist for two NYF Radio Awards |url=https://jazz.fm/nyf-radio-awards-2021-jazzfm91-finalist/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Trapunski |first=Richard |last2=Ritchie |first2=Kevin |date=2021-11-11 |title=Readers’ Choice 2021: Toronto’s best music |url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/readers-choice-2021-torontos-best-music |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=NOW Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2021-11-11 |title=JAZZ.FM91 named Toronto’s best radio station in NOW Readers’ Choice |url=https://jazz.fm/best-radio-station-in-toronto-now-readers-choice-poll/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=DiMatteo |first=Enzo |last2=Trapunski |first2=Richard |last3=Ritchie |first3=Kevin |date=2021-11-11 |title=Readers' Choice 2021: Toronto's best activists, politicians and public spaces |url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/readers-choice-2021-torontos-best-activists-politicians-and-public-spaces |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=NOW Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Winners Gallery - New York Festivals |url=https://radio.newyorkfestivals.com/winners/List/a38e6f40-0a53-4e6c-a6ee-634bcce860e0 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=radio.newyorkfestivals.com}}</ref> and expanded its digital presence with the addition of podcasts,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Category: Podcasts |url=https://jazz.fm/category/podcasts/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref> specialty channels<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-31 |title=JAZZ.FM91 adds specialty streams dedicated to Oscar Peterson, vocal jazz |url=https://jazz.fm/jazzfm91-launches-specialty-streams-oscar-peterson-channel-respect-vocal-jazz/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=Thank you for supporting JAZZ.FM91 during our on-air fundraising appeal |url=https://jazz.fm/fall-2021-fundraising-campaign-thank-you/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JAZZ.FM91 |language=en-CA}}</ref> and virtual concerts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Society |first=Toronto Downtown Jazz |title=TD Toronto Jazz Festival Summer Concert Series - A Weekly Live-To-Air Series on JAZZ.FM91 |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/td-toronto-jazz-festival-summer-concert-series-a-weekly-live-to-air-series-on-jazz-fm91-861521579.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards and honors ==
* Silver award, ''The Sound of Jazz'', [[New York Festivals Radio Awards]], 2018<ref name="silver" />
* Silver award, ''Music to Listen to Jazz By'' with Ross Porter, New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2018<ref name="silver">{{cite news |title=JAZZ.FM91 Wins two silver trophies at the New York Festival Awards |url=https://jazz.fm/jazz-fm91-wins-two-silver-trophies-at-the-new-york-festival-awards/ |publisher=JAZZ.FM91|date=June 19, 2018}}</ref>
* Gold award, ''The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights,'' New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2020<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
* Winner, Campus or Community Station of the Year, Canadian Radio Awards, 2021<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
* Winner, Sound of Success Award, Canadian Radio Awards, 2021<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
* Finalist, Music Director of the Year, Canadian Radio Awards, 2021<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
* Finalist, ''Black History Month Vignettes,'' New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2021<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />
* Finalist, ''The View From L.A.,'' New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2021<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />
* Winner, Best Radio Station, NOW Readers' Choice Poll, 2021<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" />
* Finalist, Best Radio Personality, NOW Readers' Choice Poll, 2021<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":9" />
* Gold award, Best Jazz Format, New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2022<ref name=":11" />
* Finalist, ''Black History Month Vignettes,'' New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2022<ref name=":11" />
* Finalist, ''Caribbean Christmas Mixtape,'' New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2022<ref name=":11" />
* Finalist, ''In the Land of the Misty Giant,'' New York Festivals Radio Awards, 2022<ref name=":11" />

==See also==
*[[Ryerson Radio]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.jazz.fm JAZZ.FM91]
* [https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/ontario/ontario-city-of-toronto/CJRT-FM CJRT-FM] at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the [[Canadian Communications Foundation]]
*{{RecnetCanada|CJRT-FM}}

{{Toronto FM}}
{{Public broadcasting in Canada}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cjrt-Fm}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Toronto|Jrt]]
[[Category:Jazz radio stations in Canada|Jrt]]
[[Category:Public radio in Canada]]
[[Category:Toronto Metropolitan University]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1949]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Ontario]]