[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2138-E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HOT JAZZ SATURDAY NIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, over 25 years, jazz enthusiasts 
in the Washington region have tuned to one program for their weekly 
jazz entertainment. Musicians such as Duke Ellington, Ina Ray Hutton, 
and the Boswell Sisters fill the radio waves every Saturday evening 
thanks to Rob Bamberger, creator, producer, and host of Hot Jazz 
Saturday Night.
  Rob Bamberger began as a volunteer for WAMU in 1978, where he 
presented the first of several features on jazz performers during the 
news show, Morning Line. Two years later, in 1980, he created his own 
show, Hot Jazz Saturday Night, which he has hosted ever since. Rob's 
passion and dedication goes on display every Saturday night for three 
hours as he shares his love for jazz, swing, and big band music with 
WAMU listeners.
  Rob's interest in vintage jazz and swing came at an early age. While 
at an elementary school book fair in 1963, he purchased, for a dime, a 
two-record set featuring broadcast performances by the Tommy Dorsey 
Orchestra. This seminal moment in young Rob's life sparked a consuming 
and scholarly fascination with American music from the '20s, '30s, and 
'40s and became the cornerstone of a record collection which fills the 
basement of his Arlington, Virginia home.
  By day, Rob Bamberger serves Congress as a senior policy analyst with 
the Congressional Research Service. While Rob takes great pride in his 
work with CRS, his true love becomes evident to listeners both locally 
and abroad through broadcasts on WAMU, NPR, and the Armed Forces 
Network.
  Over the years, Rob's passion for music has led him to give talks 
before audiences at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and the 
Cosmos, Maryland and University Clubs. When discussing topics ranging 
from, the history of repertory jazz, to the meeting of jazz

[[Page E2139]]

and third stream of Hoagy Carmichael and Bix Beiderbecke, he clearly 
demonstrates not only his mastery of jazz history, but also his deep 
passion for this uniquely American art form.
  I would like to thank Rob for his efforts to keep jazz alive in the 
hearts of enthusiasts and casual listeners alike who find too few 
options today when they turn on the radio. As Rob states, and I quote, 
``There are virtually no places left on radio where someone like me is 
given three hours weekly to program music free of focus-group driven 
playlists and to present it as I hope works best for listeners and 
artists who might otherwise be totally forgotten.''
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Rob for 
spending these past 25 years sharing his passion with us through the 
radio. Hot Jazz Saturday Night is the highlight of the week for many 
local and international jazz aficionados. With a large and loyal 
listener ship, I am confident that we will continue to hear Hot Jazz 
Saturday Night for many years to come.

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