The host of Vermont Public Radio’s Jazz with George Thomas is stepping away from the mic after more than 11 years. Thomas has announced he is retiring from VPR, with his final show in late June. “It has been an honor and I am grateful to have been able to share jazz with VPR’s avid, curious and astute listeners, who often suggested artists, songs and albums to play,” Thomas said.
The show is heard from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern Monday through Thursday and Friday nights until midnight. Jazz music “will continue to have a presence in the VPR programming line-up, but the details have yet to be finalized,” the station said.
Robin Turnau, president of VPR, wrote in a memo to staff: “As Ella Fitzgerald once said, ‘It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.’ I know that we all wish George the best of luck in where he’s going, and will be cheering him on from the front row.”
Although at this writing (August 16th), VPR is still running jazz on weeknights, it will likely be replaced soon with more news/information programming, perhaps with “As It Happens” and “Q” from CBC.