Matthew Hermes Retires

Matthew Hermes, longtime host of WDCB’s overnight jazz programming, is announcing his retirement after more than 23 years of spinning late night jazz, citing ongoing health concerns that have kept him off mic since March. Hermes’s mellow and distinctive voice has been a beloved fixture on the airwaves at WDCB since 2003. In recent years, he’s been one of the few overnight radio hosts in Chicago still actually broadcasting live during the wee morning hours. Hermes was also known for his 14-year run hosting a Sunday morning program called “Sounds Ethereal.”

“As I look back on my 23 years as the host of overnight ‘DCB Jazz,” Hermes said in a statement announcing his retirement. “I find that I've been truly blessed with the caliber of leadership and colleagues that supported me through thousands of shows.” 

“He took his role as a presenter of this great art form seriously,” says WDCB Station Manager Dan Bindert. “His dedication was such that it wasn’t uncommon to see Matthew in the studio previewing music and preparing for his overnight show three or four hours before he began his show. Matthew had a one-of kind style and on top of that he’s one of the nicest and kindest human beings you’ll ever want to meet!”

Radio was a second career for Hermes, who spent more than a decade as a fifth-grade schoolteacher in Naperville’s District 203, winning Teacher-Of-The-Year honors for his work there in 1995. A native of Adrian, Michigan and a graduate of Michigan State University, Hermes was also active in community theater long before he got behind the microphone at WDCB. But his most notable off-mic achievement took place on a bicycle in the summer of 1975, when Hermes and a high school buddy rode more than 10,000 miles on a coast-to-coast journey across the USA and Canada. 

For years, he has opened each overnight program at midnight with Donald Byrd’s majestic and spiritual 1964 classic “Christo Redentor.” Hermes has been known to WDCB audiences for his uniquely late-night style, presenting a broad range of recordings with careful pacing and attention to historical detail.

“Please know that I have loved my listening audience,” Matthew added in a statement directed to his overnight listeners. “I have always loved you and this iconic jazz radio station. You will forever remain in my heart.”