© 2025 WBGO
WBGO Jazz light blue header background
Jazz...Anywhere, Anytime, on Any Device.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Milestones for jazz trumpeter, promoter, producer and club owner Mark Morganelli

Ways To Subscribe
Mark Morganelli and his wife and business partner Ellen Prior
Adam Z.
Mark Morganelli and his wife and business partner Ellen Prior

On this episode of The Art of the Story, we celebrate Mark Morganelli, jazz trumpeter, promoter, producer and co-founder of the nonprofit Jazz Forum Arts.

Jazz Forum Arts is celebrating its 40th Anniversary. Mark recently celebrated his 70th birthday with a special dinner in New York City with his wife and business partner Ellen Prior. The following morning, Morganelli, a long-time accomplished runner, took to the streets of Manhattan and ran 7 miles.

Jazz Forum Arts
Jazz Forum Arts
Jazz Forum Arts

Morganelli credits his father for encouraging him to try the trumpet. That choice has led to an amazing career in jazz.

Morganelli was accepted into the Bucknell Jazz and Rock Ensemble in September of 1973. Within a couple of years, he was playing lead trumpet, conducting the 23-piece ensemble, and managing the group. He brought BJRE to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland when he was just 21.

Mark Morganelli, 20, conducting Bucknell Jazz & Rock Ensemble, 1975.
c/o of the artist
Mark Morganelli, 20, conducting Bucknell Jazz & Rock Ensemble, 1975.

Not only does Morganelli have Jazz Forum Arts but he runs the Jazz Forum, Westchester County’s premiere jazz club in Tarrytown, celebrating its 8th anniversary this month. He also had a strong connection with WBGO from the radio station's early days.

You Can SEE Doug Doyles entire conversation with Mark Morganelli below.

Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998 and has taken his department to new heights in coverage and recognition. Doug and his staff have received more than 250 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.