WDCB’s John Burnett to retire at the end of October!

WDCB's long-time morning jazz host, John Burnett, best known to his listeners as "Your British-American Buddy" has announced his retirement effective November 1. He'll host his last regular shift of 'DCB Jazz from 6 to 10am, on Thursday, October 29. Burnett has been with the station for 19 years, becoming one of DCB's most-recognized air personalities and certainly one of the most popular. 

Burnett came to WDCB in June 1996, when he accepted the position as the overnight jazz announcer.  After eight months he moved to the morning slot that he still occupies.  

“This period in my life was the most exciting, most challenging, and happiest part of my life's work,” says Burnett. “But, at 76 years of age, and with other commitments, it’s time to say goodbye. Thank you for your love, care and support. I won’t forget any of you.”

Burnett's signature is his charming British accent, but he's also beloved by his loyal listeners for his cheery disposition, his impeccable musical taste and especially his love for big bands. He's played a key role in building the audience of the Glen Ellyn-based public radio station, making WDCB widely known as "Chicago's Home for Jazz" and solidifying its stature as a leading jazz radio station in the country.

"WDCB certainly would not be where it is today without John's work over the last 19 years," says Station Manager Dan Bindert. "Jazz fans in Chicago have loved waking up to his voice in the morning. His warmth is so genuine and I think WDCB's listeners have always responded to that. He just draws people in. And his 'Chip-Chip Cheerio!' sign off is so unique - everyone has always loved it. He's been a wonderful ambassador for the station!"

While at WDCB, Burnett started the John Burnett Orchestra which has become one of the most popular jazz big bands in the Chicago area.  JBO appears regularly at FitzGerald's in Berwyn as one of the groups in rotation for the 'Big Band Jazz Party' on Sundays. His band has released recordings featuring the late clarinetist Buddy DeFranco and trumpeter Randy Sandke, and has performed with such jazz icons as drummer Louis Bellson and vocalist Ernestine Anderson.

In addition to his duties for WDCB, Burnett runs a security consulting firm where he performs system design for property management groups and architects, as well as providing testimony as an expert witness in litigation cases. 

When asked how he plans to spend some of his new-found spare time, John commented that it will be nice to sleep past his usual wakening time of 3am. He additionally hopes to visit family in England, and has already planned a trip to spend time with his children and grandchildren in Canada.

While Burnett is stepping down from his daily announcing duties, he'll remain a presence at major WDCB station events. And plans are in the works for a new weekend show, slated to begin in January 2016, in which Burnett will continue to share his love of great vocalists and the legendary big bands.

WDCB 90.9 FM is a listener-supported public radio station serving Chicagoland and the world with more than 125 hours of jazz weekly, and is widely-acknowledged as "Chicago's Home for Jazz!" The popular station also provides blues and folk/Americana music, local news and more. WDCB additionally hosts and sponsors numerous concerts throughout the year.  WDCB can be heard locally throughout the Chicago area on 90.9FM, via streaming worldwide on www.WDCB.org (and the Tune-In app) as well as in the city of Chicago through cable television on CAN TV42.  WDCB broadcasts from the campus of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL.  More information about WDCB's events and programming, as well as an online simulcast, is available at www.WDCB.org.