Jazz.FM91

JAZZ.FM91 is Canada's only not-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz and all its communities of interest.

It began life more than 50 years ago as CJRT-FM, Ryerson's university radio station, broadcasting an eclectic mix of educational programming, classics and jazz. Then in 1996, it was transformed when the Ontario Government reduced its annual operating stipend from $1,300,000 to zero, leaving the radio station to find its niche in one of North America's most crowded radio marketplaces.

In the years since then, JAZZ.FM91 has executed a very different and expanded mission, which is to enrich the cultural, educational and community experience of our listening audience.

Adhering to that mission, the station has found a favoured place in the minds of a country that, because of its diversity and musical sophistication, has embraced the concept of an all-jazz format within a non-profit, educational context. The view of jazz as a small part of the world of music is outdated; in the past few years, as music recording sales have declined, the sale of jazz and blues recordings has grown by 45%. Jazz may be growing more mainstream, but also Canada's mainstream is expanding its taste through jazz.