Jack Frieden

The VOCAL SOUND OF JAZZ began airing on 89.5 FM (now WHRV-FM) on January 4th, 1980. Originally a 30-minute program that aired on Friday evenings, it expanded to its current 60-minute format and moved to Saturday evenings during the 90s. It was also aired over WUOM in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for five years in the late 1980s.

Produced and hosted by Jack Frieden since its premiere broadcast, the program has always attempted to spotlight both jazz vocal music's post-1950s history and the new singers and songs that will continue to play an increasingly prominent role in the music's future. With the internet's ability to attract and entertain jazz vocal fans globally, Jack looks forward to broadening the mission and reach of the "Vocal Sound of Jazz" in the coming years.

An avid music fan since his teens, Jack has written numerous articles about music, contributing to "Metro Magazine" and for many years serving as a rock, pop, and jazz writer for The Virginian-Pilot newspaper. He has also contributed liner notes to albums by Maxine Sullivan and Sir Roland Hanna.

In 2001, he formed VSOJAZ Records, and the label released the much-lauded album "Intersection" by vocalist Laura Martier. The album, conceived by Jack and produced by bassist Jimmy Masters, strongly reflects Jack's musical roots as it showcased tunes by 1960s icons like David Crosby, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, and Laura Nyro in an imaginative, totally mainstream jazz setting. In 2002, VSOJAZ Records' second release spotlighted the sublimely talented vocalist Diane Hubka, accompanied by some of the jazz world's finest guitarists.

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, and graduate of the University of Georgia, Jack divides his time between residences in Virginia Beach and Miami Beach. Married for more than 50 years to Jodie, they are parents of two married adult daughters. Jack is the retired president of TFA/Towne Benefits, a Virginia-based company he founded and sold to TowneBank in 2007. He is currently involved in patient advocacy as a Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital volunteer.

Contact Jack at: jack@vocalsoundofjazz.com