Part 2: Sonny Buxton: The Man Behind the mic at KCSM, “The Bay Area’s Jazz Station to the World”

Sonny Buxton has met and worked with some of the greatest entertainers in history over the years, from Duke Ellington to Sarah Vaughn, Eartha Kitt, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge and Smokey Robinson. Buxton credits Leonard Russell in Seattle and Charles Sullivan for exposing him to the business side of radio and music by booking shows, clubs and concerts at the Fillmore and the Richmond Auditorium. Buxton proved his business worth again by co-owning several clubs in Seattle years later like The District, Checkmate and Anxious Asp. In San Francisco, Buxton also opened Milestones in 1984, and co-owned Jazz at Pearl’s with Pearl Wong, which closed in 2003. A few of Buxton’s favorite artists include Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Carlos Jobim and anyone with a warm sound or considered American Standard, like Irving Berlin and Frank Sinatra.  Buxton feels responsible for enlightening individuals based upon his experiences. He sees a need, and proudly takes on the role to advocate and inform about jazz, a true American classic. Buxton is one of the last of a fading breed of true pioneers, both culturally and historically, in broadcasting.