Legendary Jazz DJ Chuck Niles Dies at 76

On Air Career Spanned 50 Years

Chuck Niles — the voice of Jazz in Los Angeles — passed away Monday at the age of 76. He spent over 50 years on-air and was beloved by all, earning him countless affectionate nicknames — Bob Florence called him "Bebop Charlie"; the Latin Jazz world knew him as "Carlitos Neelace"; and Horace Silver dubbed him the "Hippest Cat in Hollywood."

He remains the only jazz disc jockey with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As "the voice of jazz radio" in Southern California, Chuck Niles had been the afternoon host at KKJZ since 1990.

Born in Springfield, Mass., June 24, 1927, Niles began playing clarinet at age seven and was playing professional jobs on the saxophone by age 14.

His first big break into professional radio was at WEAT in West Palm Beach, Florida. Niles then headed to California to pursue an acting career, and worked at KHJ, Channel 9 in Los Angeles as the afternoon movie host. At this same time, Niles landed a spot on KFOX where he developed a long lasting relationship with jazz legend Sleepy Stein, who brought Niles to KNOB, launching the career of one of the most recognizable voices in Los Angeles radio.

Niles' understanding of the history, artists, and heritage of jazz made him one of the most well-respected personalities in the Los Angeles jazz community.

Condolences to the family of Chuck Niles are being collected online at www.kkjz.org.