Member Spotlight: Aamir 'Akie' Bermiss

Member Spotlight: Aamir "Akie" Bermiss

Residence: Brooklyn, NY

Occupation: Musician, composer, teacher

Have listened to WBGO for:
I'm only 23, but I can't remember ever NOT listening to BGO.

Have been WBGO Member for:
8 or 9 years, i think. my parents signed me up when i was younger.

Favorite Jazz Musicians:
An impossible question! But to name a few: Miles Davis, Art Tatum, Billy Strayhorn...

Top Three Desert Island Recordings:

• Kurt Elling - The Messenger
• Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine
• Bill Evans - The Paris Concert (could I bring both discs?)

Favorite Announcers:
I really like Michael Bourne and Gary Walker. to be honest I'm not exactly sure why. They just seem to love jazz and WBGO as much as I do. They seem like the perfect concert companions.

Favorite WBGO show or programs:
Well Rhythm Review was mandatory listening when I was a child and it's a part of my consciousness now. But I love Piano Jazz for its intimacy and Live from Lincoln Center because - well, its live!

I support WBGO because...
The music, the people, the radio station has supported me. Where would I be without WBGO? I heard more jazz growing up than anything else. I became a musician! I support WBGO because I NEED WBGO. The world, I dare say, needs it too.