Here’s a couple questions, from yours truly, the host of The Dean’s List (and Tudo Bem, but let’s stick with the “academic” side for now, and get to the Brazilian side daqui um pouco/in a little bit):

1) Why should you donate to this station, WWOZ-FM, the one you keep on in your car, while you’re pretending to drive to Congo Square; your living room, while you’re pretending to dance like Astaire; your music room, while you’re pretending to play like a Marsalis; your kitchen, while you’re pretending to cook like a Lagasse, your boombox, when you pretend it’s 1978 (shoutout to the Soul Sis!) your bedroom, where you ain’t pretendin’ nothin’ (ahem, and shoutout to the Rootzmaster!), your anywhere, when you know everything is tudo bem?

2) I mean, where else can you hear, in the course of a single weekend, on the very same station, Dewey Balfa and Dave Von Ronk and Louis Prima and Luiz Melodia and Juan Luis Guerra and Hugh Masekela and Mahalia and Mavis and The Bar-Kays and The Slits and The Shins and Frankie Knuckles and Ann Peebles and Hot Lips Page and Illinois Jacquet and Tampa Red and Red Tyler and The Clancy Brothers and The Andrews Sisters and, well, Kermit? 

Okay you just answered your own question. You’ve passed with flying colors. So get thee over to the web, wwoz.org and donate today!

And speaking of Tudo Bem (which means, in Brazilian Portuguese, “It’s all good”), I’ve been with this remarkable station for well over 20 years (started in kindergarten, a prodigy, dontcha know), and whenever I get a call, at any hour of day or night, or an email, from anywhere in the world, saying: “That set you just played. My day just got better/my night less lonely/my world more expansive. Thank you.” Or: “I never knew about that song/artist/album/rhythm/sound, wow.” it makes my own world that much better and reminds me what an honor it is to be part of this unique station and amazing community. You never know who’s listening and where. But we are here for you 24/7/365 to fill your ears, open your eyes, and tug at your hearts. And make every day and every night, all good. So thank you for your pledges and…Tudo Bem, from The Dean!