Chris Heim

Music Producer

Chicago native Chris Heim began a lifelong love affair with radio after wandering into the campus station at the University of Chicago and being unexpectedly offered a music show after an opening developed. She got her first job in radio at one of the area’s last “free form” stations, worked at Chicago’s only progressive rock station and then joined the NPR affiliate, where she hosted jazz and world music shows (the latter being one of the longest running in public radio), served as music director and produced and anchored national broadcasts of the city’s jazz, blues and Latin music festivals.

Chris is also a freelance writer whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Utne, Global Rhythm, Dirty Linen and Option.

Here at KMUW, Chris produces and hosts Global Village, a nationally-distributed world music show; the nightly jazz show Night Train; Crossroads, KMUW’s twice-weekly blues and R&B show.

Ways to Connect

Top 40 Albums July 2012

By • Jul 25, 2012

  1. Curtis Fuller - Down Home (Capri)
  2. Kate McGarry - Girl Talk (Palmetto)
  3. Jazz Soul Seven - Impressions of Curtis Mayfield (BFM Jazz)
  4. Virginia Mayhew Quartet - Mary Lou Williams: The Next 100 Years (Renma)
  5. Duke Ellington Legacy - Single Petal of A Rose (Renma)
  6. Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio - Across the Imaginary Divide (Rounder)
  7. Shawnn Monteiro - To Carmen with Love (Whaling City Sound)
  8. David Liebman/Nancy Reed - Neighbors (VectorDisc)
  9. Eric Reed - The Baddest Monk (Savant)
  10. Halie Loren - Heart First (

Artist Spotlight: Buddy Guy

By • Jul 9, 2012

Though now recognized as one of the greats of the blues and one of the best guitarists of all time, Buddy Guy didn’t find recognition or success quickly or easily.

Top 40 Albums June 2012

By • Jul 5, 2012

  1. Steve Kuhn - Wisteria (ECM)
  2. Chris Hazelton Trio - Peregrination (Artists Recording Collective)
  3. Florian Hoefner Group - Songs Without Words (OA2)
  4. Shawnn Monteiro - To Carmen with Love (Whaling City Sound)
  5. David Liebman/Nancy Reed - Neighbors (VectorDisc)
  6. Piero Odorici - Cedar Walton Presents Piero Odorici (Savant)
  7. Ahmad Jamal - Blue Moon (Jazz Village)
  8. Three Voices - Transitions (Summit)
  9. Jazz Soul Seven - Impressions of Curtis Mayfield (BFM Jazz)
  10. Stacey Kent - Dreamer in Concert (Blue Note)

July Feature: Dr. Lonnie Smith

By • Jul 5, 2012

Over the years, many different instruments that were not part of the early ensembles have come to have a home in jazz. And their inclusion has added new textures and new approaches to the music. One of the more successful migrants into jazz has been the organ. From its roots in the church and early movie theaters (where an organist would provide accompaniment to silent films and entertainment in between them), the organ found a place in jazz thanks to early pioneers like Fats Waller (who had an early job in one of those movie theaters), Count Basie, Milt Buckner, and Wild Bill Davis.

Top 40 Albums June 2012

By • Jul 5, 2012

  1. Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Twenty Dozen (Savoy Jazz)
  2. Curtis Salgado - Soul Shot (Alligator)
  3. Billy Boy Arnold - Sings Big Bill Broonzy (Electro-Fi)
  4. Shakura S'aida - Time...(Electro-Fi)
  5. Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials - Jump Start (Alligator)
  6. Enrico Crivellaro - Freewheelin' (Electro-Fi)
  7. JD McPherson - Signs and Signifiers (Rounder)
  8. Duke Robillard Jazz Trio - Wobble Walkin' (Blue Duchess)
  9. Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream (Red Wing)
  10. Johnnie Bassett - I Can Make That Happen (Sly Dog)
  11. Nathan James

July Feature: Angelique Kidjo

By • Jul 2, 2012

Angelique Kidjo is among the best known, most influential and most highly honored of contemporary African music performers. She's been included in BBC and Forbes lists of influential Africans and placed among the most inspiring women in the world by the Guardian. She's also been honored with scores of awards including a Grammy, NAACP Image Award, Kora Award, Antonio Carlos Jobim Award, Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Republic, and Commander of the National Order of Benin, to name but a few.

Top 40 Albums June 2012

By • Jul 2, 2012

1. Riccardo Tesi - Madreperla (Materiali Sonori)
2. Paul Simon - Graceland (Legacy)
3. Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Twenty Dozen (Savoy Jazz)
4. Various - Long Live Boogaloo (Secret Stash)
5. Hamilton de Holanda - Brasilianos 3 (Adventure Music)
6. Paquito D'Rivera/Berta Rojas - Dia Y Medio (On Music)
7. Anoushka Shankar - Traveller (Deutsche Gramophon)
8. Various - African Blues (Putumayo)
9. Choban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik (Choban Elektrik)
10. Ljuba Davis Ladino Ensemble - East and West (Ljuba Davis)

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