Though Harrison bowed out of the series after three years, he is still a jock at KSDS, hosting the "Friday Night Countdown" program. "Jazz Live" eventually came to double as a hands-on workshop for the college's radio-TV students.
Tonight's program, which begins at 8, is also a celebration of 40 years on the air for KSDS. The City College Theater is at C Street and 14th Avenue downtown. KSDS has a new logo, and will give away decals, along with CDs and a CD player.
RIFFS: San Diego trumpeter John Best, 78, is the guest of honor at "The Gathering," an all-star jazz performance featuring several veteran players tonight at San Luis Rey Downs Country Club in Bonsall. . . .
With a new release in the works, San Diego pop jazz band Fattburger plays the B St. California Grill & Jazz Bar in downtown San Diego the next two Saturday nights.
CRITIC'S CHOICE: DUELING SAXMEN AT THE HORTON GRAND HOTEL
Two former San Diegans who went on to successful jazz careers come together at the Horton Grand Hotel this Friday and Saturday nights.
Saxman Charles Owens, who studied jazz at San Diego State University during the early 1960s, has since played and recorded with Buddy Rich, Mongo Santamaria, Gerald Wilson and even Frank Zappa.
Fellow saxophonist Herman Riley studied jazz at San Diego City College during the late 1950s and eventually played with Ivory Joe Hunter, the Supremes, Quincy Jones and a host of big bands, including Woody Herman's and Count Basie's.
Owens and Riley will duel it out in front of a rhythm section consisting of pianist Harry Pickens, bassist Bob Magnusson and drummer Sherman Ferguson.
