Willis Conover

Willis Conover
Willis Conover broadcasting with Voice of America in 1969
Willis Conover broadcasting with Voice of America in 1969
Background information
Born(1920-12-18)December 18, 1920
Buffalo, New York, US[1]
DiedMay 17, 1996(1996-05-17) (aged 75)
Alexandria, Virginia, US[1]
Occupation(s)Broadcaster, producer

Willis Clark Conover, Jr. (December 18, 1920 – May 17, 1996) was a jazz producer and broadcaster on the Voice of America for over forty years. He produced jazz concerts at the White House, the Newport Jazz Festival, and for movies and television. By arranging concerts where people of all races were welcome, he is credited with desegregating Washington, D.C., nightclubs.[2] Conover is credited with keeping interest in jazz alive in the countries of Eastern Europe through his nightly broadcasts during the Cold War.[3]

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Jr., Robert McG. (May 19, 1996). "Willis Conover, 75, Voice of America Disc Jockey". New York Times. p. 35. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  2. ^ Robert McG. Thomas Jr., "Willis Conover Is Dead at 75; Aimed Jazz at the Soviet Bloc" Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New York Times, May 19, 1996. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ripmaster 2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).