Press Releases

September 2, 1999
Henry Maxwell Appointed WPBX Music and Underwriting Director

Local Jazz Host is Second Cousin to Legendary Jazzman Duke Ellington

Contact:
Jane Finalborgo
Joe Dionisio
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081

(Southampton, NY) - Henry Maxwell Letcher II, a producer, artist and popular local on-air jazz host with more than 30 years of professional experience in radio and television, has been appointed Music and Underwriting Director for WPBX 88.3 FM Long Island University Public Radio. Maxwell, whose second cousin is legendary jazzman Duke Ellington, is a natural fit for his new position that officially began September 1. Growing up with arguably the leading jazz musician of our time, Maxwell spent much of his life surrounded by music and the arts. He has worked professionally in varying capacities in the broadcast and film industries on projects that have aired regionally and nationally on syndicated radio and television stations. An acclaimed percussionist, Maxwell has performed with renowned saxophonist Jimmy Lyons, trumpeter Bill Dixon, and producer Alan Douglas. As Music Director Maxwell will assist the general manager in implementing jazz music policy, serve as host of selected on-air programs, supervise and schedule music and non-music programming, manage on-air music staff, and develop and maintain relationships with record distributors, program producers and syndicators, and jazz presenters. In his role as Underwriting Director, Maxwell will be responsible for serving and renewing current underwriting accounts and soliciting new underwriting clients. He also will design, develop and implement an annual underwriting plan for WPBX and Long Island University Public Radio. "I am extremely pleased to have Henry accept this position," said Wallace Smith, general manager of WPBX 88.3 FM. "He is well qualified for this job and brings a more wealth of radio hosting and management experience to the station. He is a long-time resident of the East End so he is well connected with the local community and Henry is a jazz musician with a vast knowledge of all of the sounds gathered under the jazz umbrella." Maxwell most recently served as executive director of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center. He has been a consultant for Charos Custom Sound in Southampton and for American Metal Climax in New York City. Maxwell also consulted for People's Involvement Corporation, a community development program in the Washington, D.C. inner city. Throughout his career, Maxwell has taught adult education courses and led workshops and seminars in jazz music. He has also served as a community fundraiser for the March of Dimes. WPBX 88.3 FM is a listener supported jazz-news station broadcasting from Southampton College of Long Island University. The station sponsors live community music events within its Long Island and southern New England listening area as a public service to promote interest in jazz music and musicians. For additional information contact Wally Smith, general manager of WPBX 88.3 FM, at (516) 287-8295.