For nearly 30 years, Mama Jazz and WMUB have brought listeners a classic combination of traditional and contemporary jazz every weeknight.  A continuous favorite of listeners, Mama's unique voice and inexhaustible knowledge of jazz are available only on WMUB.

Tune in every weeknight from 8pm to 11pm, and drop Mama a line at mamajazz@yahoo.com.

Jazz Advocates is a Miami Valley-based group that supports jazz in all its forms, especially the kind of traditional jazz you hear every Tuesday night on Mama Jazz. Ron Gable and his associates have been working hard to educate audiences and promote jazz in our area. We salute them and encourage you to visit their web site.

Photos from Mama's 80th Birthday Bash (May 13, 2002)
Click to enlarge

Sally Southard and Mama	Mama and Ann Taulbee	Family members great-granddaughter Jayna Lee, granddaughter Erica Gordon, daughter Jane Gordon, Mama, and her husband Bill Campbell
Mama and former Student Board Operator Eric Stauffer (Miami '01)	Mildred Overton and Mae Jessup	Part of the Mama Jazz Fan Club
	Elise from Richmond has been listening since she was 4 years old

Memories of Mama Jazz
To add yours to our list, click here.

Mama is the greatest living treasure
Probably like most people, I have about 5 to 10 key role models...a couple of relatives; maybe a neighbor, teacher, colleague, friend, supervisor, celebrity, political leader, and so on. Two of my role models have similar characteristics...Mama Jazz and the late Harry Carey. As a child in Missouri, I grew up with Harry Carey and the St. Louis Cardinals on the radio. Not only did the USA's greatest ever radio play-by-play baseball broadcaster know the game and the players, more importantly he was a FAN! About the only person I can think of who is as sincere and dedicated of a fan is MAMA JAZZ!
As a bass player between jobs (but not giving up my day job until retirement in about ten years), I enjoy Mama's music and occasionally go to the basement and play along. Tuesday night is my favorite, but the other three are great too. The interviews, the insight beyond the liner notes, the guests, the interaction with the youthful board operators, the specials (especially Thanksgiving phone-ins and with the Talawanda Jazz band), are all wonderful.
The first several years I was in Oxford, every time I walked through Roudebush Hall, I would usually see Phyllis Campbell at her desk...As a FAN of classic, big band, swing, top-notch small-combo jazz, Mama Jazz is the greatest living treasure of this area (and 88.5 covers many square miles, especially now live around the planet on the web).
-- Joe Leonard, Oxford (7/9/02)

A pleasure to know someone like Mama
This is from Sarah's grandmother and Sarah. Thank you so much for inviting us to your 80th birthday party, it was really nice. I'm so glad to see people express their love and respect for you while you are able to appreciate it. I want to personaly thank for including Sarah. She enjoyed what she could, because she is autisic she has trouble being in big crowds, but we stayed as long as we could. A lot of people do not understand what it is not to be normal, but you accepted Sarah just the way she is and I thank you and love you and Sarah blew you a kiss on stage too. May God continue to keep you and bless you and you continue to make a difference in people's lives. WE love you at church and Sarah loves the Lord and she loves music.It's been a pleasure to know a person like you.
-- Marvel Hurston and Sarah Jouett, Oxford (6/7/02)

The Bishop Belles and the coolest of all DJ's
In the spring of '96, some of my friends and I gathered in my dorm room in Bishop hall to drink tea and listen to Mama Jazz one Thursday night. We liked it so much, that upon returning to campus that fall, we made it a weekly tradition to gather and listen to Mama. One Thursday night, early in the semester, we decided that we should let her know that we were listening, and called the station to talk to her.
When Mama Jazz got on the phone, we told her how much a part of our evenings she was, and that we thought she was the coolest of all dj's. We told her that we were the Bishop Belles, and asked her to play a song for us. I don't remember what she chose, but it was wonderful. (I think it was Count Basie) We got in the habit of calling every week, just to say hello. Just before Thanksgiving, Mama invited us to come to the studio for an evening. Naturally, we accepted, and packed up all of our tea, mugs, and coffee for the trip to the studio. Meeting Mama Jazz was pretty special- it was a night that all eleven of us will all cherish for many years. Our group still gets together for reunions, and I know that we would never have become a group if Mama Jazz had not been on the radio. Thanks, Mama!
-- Virginia Howell '97, Durham, NC (5/13/02)

Another Belle
Mama was an inspiration to us all. I am one of eleven Miami grads dubbed "the Bishop Belles" by Mama in the late '90's. We used to gather on Thursday nights to drink coffee, listen to WMUB, and gather strength from music and one another. We would call Mama weekly and sometimes even come to the studio to help with Phone-a-thons or share air time. This tradition turned into an inseparable group of women who are now scattered across the country. We have reunions once every two years, and Mama is never far from our thoughts. Thank you, Mama Jazz, our muse, from the ever-grateful Bishop Belles; happy 80th birthday!
-- Michele Feige '99, Columbus (5/14/02)

Hoosier finds home away from home
I lived for several years in Muncie, and got my BS at Ball State. You know the old saying (slightly modified), you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can't take Indiana out of the girl. When I finally got DSL. I was able to listen to Mama once again. The first time I heard her talk about Miami University and Oxford, I burst into joyful tears. I felt like I had found my home away from home. Now, I sew my quilts almost every evening while Mama spins her majic. Thanks, so much Mama!
-- Wanda Kruse, Kirkwood, MO (5/13/02)

¡Feliz Cumpleaños!
I was planning to be there at your party tonight, but I am sick. My wife Jennifer and I are listening to your special and deserved party.
I remember a few years ago when I met you at the waiting room of the Intensive Care Unit at Sycamore Hospital. I was visiting with families there. I started to get to know Mama's family, but at first I did not know who she was. When I was getting to know the people and where their home town was, Mama said that she was from Oxford, OH. I replied that the only thing I knew about Oxford was the Public Radio Station there. I told her that I listened to that radio station and that I love jazz. Mama looked at me, smiled and said, "Guess who am I?" The voice sounded familiar to me. I started to think for too long and mama looked at me and said: " I'm Mama Jazz!" I was so delighted to get to know her. That night Mama played a few favorite songs of mine and one of them was "The girl from Ipanema."
I always enjoy her music on the radio, mama's great sense of humor and her laughter. Happy Birthday Mama Jazz! ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!
-- Raul Concha, Chaplain, Sycamore Hospital, Miamisburg (5/13/02)

Great contribution
Hi Mama:
My wife, Leslie, and I were there last night for the wonderful Birthday Party which we enjoyed so much. Let us add this letter to the many that acknowledge your great contribution to the jazz scene over the years and affirm you as a "Mama Jazz."
-- Dick Haid, Hamilton (5/14/02)

A big thank you
I would like to let Mama Jazz know that I am probably one of a lot of people who have never met her, but yet owe her a big thank you! When I was younger my parents introduced me to the Oldies. Since then I've had the opportunity to grow as a music fan. My tastes seem to almost expand the genres of music. But I do know that it was Mama Jazz who started me on the path to learning about jazz. I would listen to the names she said and would try to listen more to that artist. Now I try to pass a little bit of that love of jazz onto other people.Thanks again Mama Jazz! Keep up the great work on your show!
-- Bonnie Purtee (5/14/02)

Mama Jazz is her REAL mother
I am one of only four people who can actually say that Mama is their real mother. I've been calling her Mama much longer than any of her fans! Many people want to know what it's been like growing up with Mama as my mother.
I feel very fortunate to have had this wonderful role model. My mother has always had her joie de vivre, and she never met a stranger. Like most children, it wasn't until I had children of my own that I truly came to appreciate my mother. She has been such a guiding force in my life. One of the main things she's tried to teach me is to enjoy the moment. She's one person who seems to enjoy every moment, and can find something good in every situation.
I have many memories of sharing music with my mother, especially various jazz festivals across the country. She took me to New Orleans when I was twelve, and New York when I graduated from high school. We've also been to Los Angeles, Kansas City, Chicago, and Detroit. The other fond musical memories are our yearly Valentine's Day shows. This year was especially memorable because both of my children stopped by so we had three generations on the air.
I am delighted that so many people have gotten to know her through WMUB. One of the greatest tributes to her was when my son, Andrew, was a toddler. He wouldn't go to sleep at night unless I had her show playing on the radio. From what I understand, there are quite a few people who feel this way! She's a wonderful lady who deserves all this attention- and it's quite a tribute to her that so many people want to share in her birthday celebration.
Much love Mama, your daughter.
-- Gail Campbell Johnson, Oxford (5/13/02)

Mama Jazz changed his life
Mama Jazz changed my life! I spent every Wednesday night for 3 years straight with her and Ann Taulbe pulling records off the WMUB shelves for request night (which I was VERY disappointed to see go). Talk about an education in jazz! Mama is one of the most wonderful, witty, and insightful people I have ever known. She didn't just teach me about jazz though, she taught me about life too, and every bit of advice she's given me has proven invaluable over the years. She's got a passion for living that I've never seen in anyone before or since- I hope I'm in equally good spirits when I'm 80 years young! Thanks for the memories, Mama, and "put another log on the fire" when you get a moment.
-- Jeremy Brann '00, New Orleans (5/13/02)

Favorite Mama memories
The first of my favorite Mama Jazz memories happened around 1993. We were newly arrived in the area from Western New York and had just sent our 11 year-old son, Adam to bed when he came running out of his room shouting, "Turn on the radio! Mama Jazz is reading my letter!"
Adam had joined the Batesville Indiana Middle School band on the bari sax, had already developed an appreciation for big band music, and was a big fan of Mama's radio show. He wrote to her and when Mama mentioned him on the air, that was the beginning of our family's love affair with the one and only Mama Jazz.
My next favorite memories of Mama are the last three years when she has come to our library's After Hours Concert featuring the Sport Coat Jazz Explosion Big Band from Batesville High School. She makes each of those concerts the highlight of our year, and she has been named an honorary member of the band (she has a plaque and an official ugly sport coat to prove it). Mama, you are the best! We love to listen to you, to learn from you, and to laugh with you. Happiest of birthday wishes from your friends in Batesville.
-- Mike, Vicki, and Adman Kruse, Batesville (5/10/02)

The first Mother of Jazz
It has been twenty some years ago that I first met "Mama" in the basement of old Williams Hall. I had been living in the Washington, D.C. area before coming to Oxford and I thought I would not find any jazz on the airwaves of Southwest Ohio. I was surely wrong once I became acquainted with "Mama" and the other great folks at WMUB in the old days.
I remember fondly the times I've spent at WMUB with the first Mother of Jazz, to include my first time on her show at the temporary quarters in Sawyer Gym on Western campus. I recall how much she enjoyed sharing recordings that I brought with me, especially the "Mitchell-Ruff Duo" and of course Stan Getz. But really I enjoyed her tolerance for letting me play all of those Shelly Manne records and that special West Coast sound.
I will always remember the Christmas party that she broadcast live from our home. We had quite a collection of people to include the late John Knight and other local notables.
"Mama Jazz" will always have a special place in my heart as one of the finest ladies I have ever known and I will always remember that it has been my privilege to know her all of these years. "Mama" you are the best, thank you always.
-- John Barnhart, Oxford (5/8/02)

Anxious graduate student found calm
I moved to Oxford as an anxious graduate student in 1985. When I heard Mama Jazz on WMUB, I knew right then that this would be a bearable place. Her show kept me calm through a lot of late-night studying and writing. I'm only sorry I can't hear her from Nebraska!
-- Bob Whipple '90, Omaha, NE (5/6/02)
--[Ed: You can listen to Mama or any of WMUB's programming over the Internet with RealPlayer or Windows Media Player. See our home page for details.]

Thank you Mama
I just wanted to thank you Mama Jazz for introducing me to Jazz. I love your show and I really enjoy listening to it. Happy Birthday Mama Jazz :)
-- Chris Garau (4/25/2002)
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