Mission Statement

The mission of KSDS-FM is to present, preserve and promote the uniquely American art form that is Jazz. Through programming, events and education, KSDS advances the appreciation and understanding of Jazz with a local, national and international audience while providing outreach for our licensee, the San Diego Community College District, and San Diego City College.

About KSDS

OUR HERITAGE

KSDS Jazz88.3 is a non-profit 501c3 organization, a part of the San Diego City College Foundation.

KSDS is a full-time mainstream/traditional Jazz radio station, licensed to the San Diego Community College District, broadcasting 24 hours a day from the campus of San Diego City College. Founded in 1951, the station began programming Jazz in 1973 and became San Diego’s only full-time Jazz station in 1985.

KSDS is licensed by the FCC as a non-commercial, non-profit educational radio station and operates with 22,000 watts at 88.3 on the FM dial.

In 1993 the National Association of Broadcasters awarded KSDS the “Jazz Station of the Year” distinction, receiving the prestigious Marconi Award. Numerous nominations and awards have followed, including Finalist nominations for Jazz Station of the Year in both 2004 and 2005. KSDS was also nominated for the "Large Market Station" of the year award by the NAB in 2008.

In 2011, KSDS was awarded JazzWeek Magazine's Large Market Station of the Year, a prestigious award determined by the vote of Record Companies, professional peers and readers of JazzWeek.

OUR FORMAT

The programming on KSDS concentrates on blending the new and upcoming artists with the great performers of the past who have given jazz its identity. From artists like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jelly Roll Morton to Rob McConnell, Bobby Watson, Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis.

Jazz 88 features specialty programs that concentrate on various sub-genres of the music, from Dixieland to Latin Jazz, from Swing and Big Band to World Music and vocalists, from all female artists to exclusively guitars. There are several programs that highlight the rich pool of local talent, as well, and it is KSDS that gives both the many great San Diego musicians their greatest exposure and the local audience information about where they can be seen performing around the county. Additionally, KSDS offers a full Saturday night of Blues programming and special blues segments throughout the week.

OUR ENVIRONMENT

KSDS is free of commercial clutter, and mainly staffed by announcers who have a passion for the music and a deep knowledge that they share with the audience. Jazz is educational, energizing, multi-textured and mind-broadening.

Jazz is a true Art form, and it's presented live and spontaneously on KSDS, a rarity in the current entertainment scene. KSDS remains one of the few radio stations in America to offer full-time, undiluted Jazz programming, acknowledging the heritage of this wonderful music while helping it live on through today’s artists.

If you wish to make a donation via check, please make it out to KSDS, and mail to 1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.