Jamal Ahmad’s 30 years at WCLK 91.9 celebrates jazz and the soulful sounds of Atlanta

“Jazz became my ministry,” these words were practically sung from Jamal Ahmad’s mouth as he spoke about his enduring career curating the greatest jazz songs known to man. A lifelong parishioner, like most seeking Jamal Ahmad had a journey to worship at the church of swing.

This year, JAZZ WCLK 91.9 is celebrating 50 years of serving Atlanta and its metro area. Having served at WCLK for over half its lifespan, Ahmad is celebrating his 30th anniversary at the station. Beginning his tenure while attending Morehouse College, Ahmad has dedicated those 30 years to enriching and preserving the soulful sounds of jazz through WCLK, one of the few full-time jazz-dedicated radio stations in America. Ahmad’s journey in radio started in his junior year of college, driven by a deep love for music that began in his childhood.

As a 20-year-old junior at Morehouse College, Ahmad wanted to launch a hip-hop radio show from WCLK’s historic halls before being initiated as a jazz devotee.

Starting as an intern at WCLK in 1995, Ahmad quickly became fascinated by the station’s innovative programming. Mentored by Ken Batie, a drive-time DJ at WCLK, Ahmad immersed himself in the world of radio. He began volunteering during pledge drives and eventually took over a show, transforming it into “The S.O.U.L. of Jazz,” an acronym for “Sounds of Universal Love.”

Ahmad took it upon himself early in his career to listen to every jazz CD in the station’s collection, which took him four years. “By the time I got to Zoot Sims, I realized how much I loved this music.” Ahmad cited his show as among the first to introduce artists like Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Jill Scott, and D’Angelo to Atlanta listeners, showcasing his knack for blending genres and bringing new audiences to jazz.

Currently serving as the drive-time shock jock (his show runs from 2-6 pm on weekdays), Ahmad’s approach to radio is not just about playing music but creating an immersive experience. Inspired by legendary DJs who curated unique auditory worlds, Ahmad strives to present jazz that resonates deeply with listeners, blending various musical styles reflecting a global influence while staying rooted in the Black experience.

Ahmad’s connection to Clark Atlanta University (CAU) runs deep. His mother, Dr. Rubye Byrd, was a student (at what was then known as Clark College). Later a co-director of the Upward Bound program at CAU, working under CT Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ahmad’s early exposure to music began with his mother’s boutique record label, Paradigm Records, and his involvement in various bands throughout his school years.

Reflecting on his early days at WCLK, Ahmad shared some wisdom. If he could return to his 20-year-old self, he would advise himself to take it easy and slow, to “sip the experience slowly.” Remarking that 30 years have passed quickly, almost unnoticed, “Within the next 30 years now, I’m going to be old, God willing. I’ll be an old man. As long as we have that passion in our hearts when we were little kids about music, that’s the key. You have to keep that passion inside of you alive. That’s what I would tell myself—don’t let that die,” Ahmad said.

“I’ve had offers to be at commercial stations all across the country, and I’ve turned down so many offers to stay here because I love this place. One of the things I appreciate the most is my mother’s influence. She worked at Clark Atlanta when I was born and took me by the radio station even as a toddler. There was a light in my eyes every time I came to WCLK. It’s deep to think that people saw me as a little boy and predicted I would work here one day—and now, 30 out of the 50 years WCLK has existed, I’ve been here.”

“S.O.U.L OF JAZZ” airs Weekdays from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

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