Kayonne Riley WUCF
Credit: courtesy
Kayonne Riley WUCF
Kayonne Riley Credit: courtesy

Dedication to an art form is a commendable and vital service, if not a righteous one. This is certainly true for Kayonne Riley, who has spent over 30 years at the helm of WUCF-FM — a true bastion for jazz, the great American art form.

With fewer than 100 jazz broadcasting and streaming platforms nationwide, Riley’s leadership represents a profound commitment to a genre that remains an underdog in the mainstream arena despite jazz’s influential reach and constant influx of new talent. This work places Riley and WUCF among the ranks of notable guardians of this music, such as Gilles Peterson, Ashley Kahn, Ted Gioia, Zev Feldman and the late, great Michael Cuscuna.

Riley is retiring in May, and with her last day on the air Friday, she deserves a salute from anyone who appreciates music, jazz or otherwise. She’s been instrumental in keeping the fundamentals of the genre alive and relevant while remaining open to new sounds and ideas. Riley’s championed creative programming like “Live From Studio A,” “Magazine” and “Side Players,” all great vehicles for performance and storytelling that broaden the scope of the music to the benefit of the public at large.

Many listeners have experienced profound musical realizations while tuning in to WUCF. We’ve heard everything from legends like Bob James to current local favorites Golden Flower performing live at WUCF over our airwaves. 

Our own standout memory harks back to the 1990s: sitting in the car spellbound by back-to-back spins of “Silver Cycles” by Eddie Harris and “Soul of a Village” by Joe Zawinul. WUCF introduced us to these artists, and they have remained lifelong favorites ever since. 

Riley’s contributions have granted WUCF an impact that reaches far beyond the region. Another personal experience: While attending an event in New York City, the mention we were from Orlando was immediately followed by the question, “You know Kayonne?” 

To mark the occasion, Orlando Weekly reached out to Riley for a few words about her storied tenure at WUCF and a life on the airwaves.

How would you sum up your experience with WUCF? 

My experience at WUCF has been an amazing adventure alongside a cast of passion-filled lovers of radio and of jazz. UCF has been a wonderful license-holder for WUCF; their support for the radio station has been enduring across the years, from its start as a student operation in 1979 to its current home with WUCF-TV. Projects were constant in my time here, with the station moving broadcast and production studios — twice — the construction of the new WUCF-FM tower in Research Park, the conversion to HD broadcasting and launch of additional HD signals, the launch of online streaming and podcasts and audio on demand.

What initially drew you to the role?

My first job after graduating from Texas A&M was joining KAMU-FM/TV at my alma mater. I began in radio with the student station KANM, where I’d hosted shows and served as music director and station manager. My love of radio started while growing up in Texas. I was always listening; this was pre-internet and pre-cable TV days. I’m also a musician and a music lover, so I have always channel-surfed the radio to listen to everything that’s on. Rock, country, hip-hop, news, sports, classical, jazz, basically all formats are interesting to me.

Who were you when you first started years ago, and who are you now?

When I first started at WUCF I already had six years of professional experience so I was knowledgeable about the NPR formats, fundraising, programming operations, and management of staff and hosts. Over my time at WUCF I’ve learned from the professionals that I’ve worked with, who taught me about jazz, and about music scheduling and formatting for maximum audience. I also experienced the incredible transformation of radio: online streaming of broadcasts, expanding signals to include HD2 and HD3 broadcasts, and more recently the explosion of social media and podcasts.

What are the most significant things you have learned?

Over 32 years in public broadcasting, I’ve learned that trust is everything. Audiences come back because they enjoy the music and programming and because they trust our voice. I’ve also learned the importance of listening to our communities, to our staff and students and especially to those whose voices are often overlooked. Another key lesson is adaptability. The media landscape has changed dramatically, and staying relevant means being willing to evolve while holding onto core values.

How do you feel about the “great American art form” now compared to when you first started? As far as broadcasting, journalism, music or otherwise?

When I first started playing jazz on radio, jazz felt like something we had to protect; an art form with a deep legacy but a shrinking spotlight. But I’ve seen and heard around me every day that jazz is something much more alive and resilient than I realized when I started. Musicians keep reinventing, blending traditions with new influences and finding fresh audiences in ways we couldn’t have imagined three decades ago.

What are some of your top favorite artists and albums that were released during your tenure?

Honestly, there are too many favorites to name. The real answer is that I’ve been lucky enough to fall in love with artists and albums over and over again for 32 years at WUCF. And I plan to continue adding to that list.

What’s next for you? Do you plan to continue broadcasting in a different role or format? Your own project?

I’m not stepping away from music — I’m just changing how I show up for it. I plan to keep gigging, do some traveling and finally maybe just rest a bit. After 32 years on the air with WUCF, I’m excited to let the music lead the way without a clock.

What would be the perfect tune to summarize your time at WUCF?

“In a Sentimental Mood.”

Fitting choice, but which one? 

Duke Ellington and John Coltrane’s version.

Even more fitting! Duke and Trane take that tune to another place … much like you did with WUCF and wherever you’re off to next.

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This article appears in April 29-May 5, 2026.