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On the heels of the announcement of Nic Harcourt's retirement from the post of Music Director, and longtime KCRW host Jason Bentley's move to replace him, comes word that DJ Garth Trinidad will be back weeknights on the station in the 8-10 p.m. time-slot.
“Garth is a confident voice, on KCRW and in the Los Angeles community, and I look forward to his return to the weeknight line up. He has tremendous untapped potential and, with a broader platform, he will have the opportunity to transcend the more specialized mode of his current show. His sincere appreciation of the history of music – where it’s been and where it’s going -- will be exciting to hear,” said Bentley.
Trinidad began working on-air for KCRW in 1996 with a weeknight show called "Chocolate City." He trimmed back his schedule a little while back and assumed a Saturday night slot. Trinidad explains his moves: “When I opted out of being on air five nights a week, my wife and I were starting our family. As soon as I stopped, I really missed it, much to my surprise. The dynamic shifted and I missed the ability to break records because I couldn’t play them as often.” He is credited as the first DJ in the country to play music from newcomers like Macy Gray and Jill Scott, both of whom subsequently rose to tremendous national popularity. His emphasis on urban rhythms and soul in contemporary music has made him a long-time innovator and his shows extremely popular with listeners.
Starting December 1, Trinidad will return to weeknights in the slot now occupied by Bentley. Trinidad's former Saturday 6-9 p.m. slot will be taken over by KCRW DJ Jason Eldredge and on Sunday nights, Nic Harcourt will replace a taped version of "Sounds Eclectic" with his new live music show from 6 to 9pm.
Trinidad gave LAist his Top Ten albums of 2007 late last year, and was interviewed by LAist in 2004.
Photo of Garth Trinidad via KCRW