How 'Hey Arnold!' brought jazz to a generation

By Anna Gordon

Published November 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM EST

Hey Arnold! was a popular Nickelodeon cartoon in the late 90's that featured a jazzy score

Hey Arnold! creator Craig Bartlett and composer Jim Lang recently joined WBGO's Anna Gordon to talk about the show’s jazz-driven sound — how it happened, who inspired it, and why it still hits a nerve with fans nearly 30 years later.

Craig Bartlett (left) is the creator of the popular 90's Nickelodeon cartoon Hey Arnold! while Jim Lang (right) was the show's composer — Craig Bartlett (left) is the creator of the popular 90's Nickelodeon cartoon ***Hey Arnold!*** while Jim Lang (right) was the show's composer

You can SEE Anna's entire interview with Craig Bartlett and Jim Lang below:

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WBGO Journal Hey Arnold!Craig Bartlett Jim Lang Nickelodeon Anna Gordon WBGO

Anna Gordon

<b>Anna Gordon</b> is <b>WBGO's Social Strategist and Digital Video Producer</b>, overseeing the station's digital presence and creative storytelling across platforms. A lifelong WBGO listener and music fan, she bring a deep appreciation for the art form and its community to everything she produces.

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