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DJ Appreciation Post – John Pai

February 14, 2025 - 11:00 pm

A KBCS DJ appreciation poster with an image of John Pai, the host of Giant Steps. He is an asian man with long grey hair, a short beard, and he is smiling while looking into the camera. He is outside with trees and lights behind him. John Pai - Host of Giant Steps

John Pai has been one of our fantastic KBCS volunteer DJs for 34 years. He has previously hosted Round Midnight and currently hosts Giant Steps. Join us in thanking John for bringing a unique selection of Jazz to listeners like you around the world and to those listening on the radio in the greater Seattle area.

What song or album do you most identify with, which inspired your energy to be a DJ?

Blues for the Night Owl – Ramsey Lewis, a composition and remembrance from Ramsey Lewis I heard and read when I was in grade school about how Ramsey would go to sleep every night as a kid growing up in the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago. He would fall asleep listening to a jazz DJ close out his program with a signature song, something to carry him forward and into the night.

A photo of John Pai in the mixing room at KBCS. He is an asian man with long grey hair and a short goatee smizing while looking into the camera. He is using professional audio equipment, including a microphone, headphones, and a mixing board.

John Pai operating a mixing board at the KBCS station.

How long have you been hosting your show?

Total of 34 years:

  • Giant Steps 2000 – Present
  • Round Midnight 1991 – 2000

Pen, typewriter, computer, device?

  • Typewriter, I can bring my portable anywhere and I don’t need electricity.
  • Cell phone for music

What album(s) do you love or really enjoy that might surprise your listeners?

  • Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
  • It’s A Beautiful Day – It’s a Beautiful Day
  • Curtis – Live – Curtis Mayfield
  • Buddah Bar VII

What album do you feel changed your life?

Crescent – John Coltrane

Your most recent concert?

Earshot Jazz: Vijay Iyer Trio 11/4/24

Recent Feature film or a Favorite film?

Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat by Johan Grimonprez

John’s Favorites:

Song or album for the evening?

Kind of Blue – Miles Davis

Song or album for sunset?

Sunflower – Milt Jackson

Song or album for the morning?

Deodato 2

Song or album for dawn?

Creator Has A Master Plan – Pharoah Sanders

21st Century read?

Unforgotten Seattle – Ron Chew

Piece of art?

Nighthawks at the Diner – Edward Hopper

A Note from KBCS

Thank you from all of us at KBCS and listeners of community radio for being a part of our community! We look forward to hearing your music for years to come.

A KBCS DJ appreciation poster with an image of John Pai, the host of Giant Steps. He is an asian man with long grey hair, a short beard, and he is smiling while looking into the camera. He is outside with trees and lights behind him.

John Pai – Host of Giant Steps

Thank you to everyone who donated during our Spring Fund Drive and our many Sustaining Donors. With your help we reached our Spring Drive goal!
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