Since 1982, Tom Pethic has been an integral part of the Rochester jazz scene.

Here's the story of how Tom discovered his love for jazz. At age 21, he heard Joe Romano, the late legendary Rochester jazz saxophonist. Romano was performing at The Portside, a local jazz hang-out that was located at the southern end of Irondequoit Bay. Night after night, great jazz music filled the air. As Tom was taking in the strong emotion that was coming from the horn of Joe Romano, his life as he once knew it, had changed. Eventually he needed an outlet for his new found love, jazz music. Pethic ended up seeking out his own jazz radio program. His dream of doing radio became reality, as his first Artistry in Jazz program aired on October 18, 1982, on the air waves of WGMC. Pethic had often relayed to JR, his musical mentor, that he most likely would not have experienced a strong love for jazz, not to mention landing his own radio show, were it not for him hearing Joe at The Portside in the late 70s. 

Over the years, Tom has interviewed many of the world's finest jazz musicians. They include Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Chick Corea, Les Paul, Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Freddy Cole, Pete LaRoca, Cedar Walton, Joe Romano, David 'Fathead' Newman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Larry Willis, Ravi Coltrane, Dena DeRose, Jon Hendricks, Joey DeFrancesco, and Kenny Washington. 

Pethic is in his 30th year in jazz radio. Artistry in Jazz with Tom Pethic airs Saturdays from 6-8pm.