Referencing DC's public transit system in its title, "Metro Mambo" activities explore Latin-jazz as an urban conduit - artistically and socially. Created by JIM BYERS in 2009, and presented by the Smithsonian Institution through 2014, Byers continues producing the series independently in association with new partners, including Anacostia Arts Center and Dance Place. The Series is made possible in-
part by a generous grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency funded in-part by the National Endowment for the Arts. About JIM BYERS:
"Under the steady and and seasoned ear of Jim
Byers, listeners are transported back to the present to to fully engage with this music. If there is a more gifted or knowledgeable radio program host, I have yet to listen to him/her"
Eduardo Diaz,
Director, Smithsonian Latino Center
(from his Huffington Post arts blog 10-04-12)
"a creative gem on local airwaves." Marc Fisher,
Washington Post columnist and radio historian
Bio: Programmed from his private collection of 20,000+ vintage recordings, JIM BYERS has been host of WPFW 89.3 FM's "Latin Flavor Classic Edition" since 1996. The program was specified when the Station won Washington City Paper’s 2014’s nod for “Best Weekend Radio.” He is the recipient of two “Artists Fellowship Grant” Awards from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, recognizing his 19 years of creative, on-air educational music programming as a volunteer DJ on Washington DC's listener-supported WPFW. For 25 years, Byers has lectured on Latin-jazz for the Kennedy Center, George Mason University and others. In addition to continued presentations during Hispanic Heritage Month and other of their special events,The Smithsonian Institution presented Byers’ production of his ‘Metro Mambo’ Series from 2009-14. In 2011, the Smithsonian selected Byers along with legendary percussionist Poncho Sanchez as the their two official presenters at the prestigious biennial 'Musica, Identidad y Cultura' conference at Centro Leon, in Santiago, D.R. Byers offered three lectures during the opening weeks of the Smithsonian's still-touring Latin-jazz exhibit, 'La Combinacion Perfecta.'
Prior to becoming Marketing Director for Arlington Cultural Affairs Division in Arlington, Va, Byers served in the same capacity for DC's acclaimed contemporary dance/performance art venue, Dance Place. He began his career in the arts in the early 1990's as a producer for Charlin Jazz Society, where he had the honor of presenting Tito Puente, Doc Cheatham, Ray Barretto, Vinx, Jon Faddis and others in ‘Global Rhythm’, an annual Latin-jazz arts/education Series he conceived and co-produced at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium.
