WDUQ Jazz Legend Says Farewell

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The music has gone silent on Pittsburgh's only jazz station.

At midnight, WDUQ FM began an all-news talk format and signed off its jazz programming.

It means that a revered voice in Pittsburgh's jazz community - Tony Mowod - can no longer be heard.

Mowod is jazz in Pittsburgh. As a musician, actor and DJ, he found his niche doing night-side jazz on the station formerly owned by Duquesne University.

He knows all the artists, including the late Rosemary Clooney, Chuck Mangione, Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett to name a few.

"I have a connection with all these jazz musicians, and I just love it," said Mowod.

That knowledge and passion went out over the airwaves in Pittsburgh and in 40 other cities where his show was syndicated. But now, Mowod's soothing voice and smooth jazz have gone silent.

The man who is so natural in front of a microphone couldn't find the words to describe his feelings. A parade of local musicians lined the hallway of DUQ to bid him farewell Thursday, and he was flooded with calls from listeners.

As he prepared to sign off for the last time, Mowod was overcome with emotion.

"It's hard to believe," he said.

WDUQ's new owners say they'll run jazz 24 hours a day on their HD frequency. Mowod hopes a new jazz station goes on the air. In the meantime, he left listeners with his usual signoff.

"Keep a bit of love in your heart and a taste of jazz in your soul," he said.

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