Jazz 89.5 KEWU-FM is a non-commercial, educational radio station serving Eastern Washington University and the surrounding Cheney/Spokane metropolitan area. The station has an extensive and illustrious broadcasting history in the Inland Northwest.

KEWC, as it was originally identified, first hit the airwaves on April 7, 1950. KEWU has undergone many changes throughout the years. In 1986 the station increased it's transmitter output from 10 watts to 10,000 watts and the station format was changed to straight ahead classic and contemporary jazz.

KEWU is managed and operated by a combination of individuals representing the Eastern Washington University faculty, students and broadcast communications professionals

Recognition

KEWU was named the 2005 Best Small Market Jazz station and Program Director Elizabeth Farriss was named Best Small Market Jazz Programmer for 2005 by Jazz Week Magazine, the definitive jazz radio resource.

Elizabeth Farriss was once again named Best Small Market Jazz Programmer for 2009 by Jazz Week Magazine.

Philosophy

KEWU believes it is important to promote the music of contemporary jazz artists who, while staying true to the art form are exploring and pushing the limits of the music. It is these artists who keep the music moving in a forward direction. KEWU strives to maintain a potent balance of music past and music present, so KEWU plays a prodigious amount of classic jazz in it's many incarnations; traditional, dixieland, big band, swing and bop. KEWU also features blues and world music as well as ambient, downtempo and chill sounds weeknights during the newest addition to the Jazz 89.5 musical lineup - "Nightfall." KEWU is the premier source for classic and contemporary jazz in the Inland Northwest and beyond.

Blog

Here is a link to our new improved Jazz 89.5 Blog! Check it out and let us know what you think.

On The Air

Announcers at the station are individuals who are either participating in a work-study program, receiving up to three credits per quarter, or are being paid for their services.

Staff

Marvin Smith - General Manager

Elizabeth A. Farriss - Program Director/Music Director

Tom Alderson - Chief Engineer