Bob Parlocha

Internationally known jazz expert and former program director/ host of KJAZ of San Francisco, Bob Parlocha's rich, elegant voice is familiar to jazz audiences as host of Overnight Jazz.

Born and reared in Vallejo, California, Bob learned about jazz from his mother's Count Basie and Duke Ellington records. He grew up listening to former KJAZ owner Pat Henry, broadcasting at that time on KROW, and to Jerry Dean, who used to do a weekly KJAZ show from Vallejo. In high school Bob played tenor and soprano saxophones and flute and sang in road bands.

For 10 years jazz remained a hobby while he worked in psychiatric nursing at UCSF, developing interpersonal skills that would serve him well in the music business. After one routine day at the hospital, he heard Pat Henry inviting prospective deejays to submit audition tapes to KJAZ. Bob sent in his tape and Henry ultimately hired him to program Saturday evenings.

A sensitive programmer, articulate spokesman for jazz, and astute analyst of the music scene, Bob's master of ceremonies style has enhanced many jazz concerts and fundraisers. His credits include the Gil Evans Orchestra's concert at the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival, the UC Berkeley Jazz Festival, Oakland Arts Explosion, Jazz at the Palace, Bay Area Jazz Awards, the San Francisco International KJAZ Festival.

Parlocha has also produced a number of albums for artists. His first was for singer Laurie Antonioli's "Soul Eyes" on Catero Records. He engineered the late Martha Young's "Live at Bajone's" album on the Carnelian label and an album for pianist Steve Cohn.

Bob generously donates his time to jazz causes, especially those aiding Bay Area musicians. Bob still enjoys playing saxophone, sharing his talents with audiences.