Ben Ferris Archives - WORT 89.9 FM

Contact Information

Music Director: Sybil Augustine – musicdirector@wortfm.org (for music submissions, charts and tracking, promotional exchanges for music events and following up on volunteer applications or other requests. Please include specifics in your subject line, such as “Hiphop Music Submission” etc, )

Music Assistant: Aaron Scholz – musicass@wortfm.org (for record donations and sales, promos recording volunteers, etc.)

Music Calendars: Submit your events online here or send by email to calendar@wortfm.org

How do I get my music played on WORT?

We accept submissions in most genres and styles of music, focusing on noncommercial, out-of-the-mainstream, independent releases (check out our playlists and music charts for more information.) It may take up to a few weeks for us to review and process your submission so we appreciate your patience, and feel free to contact us to follow up. Please send your music, indicating any tracks with language that needs to be aired after 10 pm and including a one-sheet description and any biographical and tour information, to WORT Music Director, 118 S. Bedford St, Madison, WI 53703 and/or to musicdirector@wortfm.org.

We do accept digital files on .wav or mp3, but currently we still prefer CDs to digital submissions because it’s the quickest way to get it into the hands of our programmers and onto the airwaves, though we have a growing digital library. Digital submissions should be .wav or other lossless files, or high quality mp3s [128-320 kbps.]

You can follow up or “track” your submissions by email, or call 608-256-2001 on Wednesdays between 1-4 pm CST to ask if we received it, has it been reviewed, has it been added to our library, and what kind of airplay it’s getting—e.g. light, medium, heavy or charting. Thanks and we look forward to hearing your music!

WORT Music Playlists

What was that song I heard? Who was the artist, what is the album title, where can I get it? Where can I find the entire playlist for a show?

Click on the Playlists button to bring up a calendar where you can choose any date to find the playlists for that day. If you can’t find the right playlist or the song you’re looking for, your best bet is to call the station the next time that program’s on and ask the host yourself. If that’s not possible we may be able to help you, but please have as much information as possible at hand when you contact us, such as: approximate day and time the music was played, what type or genre of music it was, who hosted the show and any other information you remember about the selection and we’ll do our best to track it down.

Once you figure it out, there’s a “Buy It!” link next to each track in online playlists that leads you to a place where you can buy songs and albums, and by doing it that way a small portion of each purchase goes to support WORT.

Ben Ferris Octet & Nuggernaut

January 20, 2020 by WORT 89.9FM

The Ben Ferris Octet is an 8-piece band based out of Madison WI, playing music from 1920-Now with the sound of a big band and the clarity of a trio Nick Bartell, Jon Hoel, Luke Busch, saxophones Paul Dietrich, trumpet Darren Sterud, trombone Dave Stoler, keys Ben Ferris, bass Michael Koszewski, drums Nuggernaut is a […]

Jon Hoel Trio at Audio for the Arts

October 16, 2019 by Back Porch Serenade

On Tuesday, October 15th, Madison saxophonist Jon Hoel stopped by the WORT studios to talk with “Back Porch Serenade’s” Peter Haney about his trio’s Oct. 18 performance at Audio for the Arts . One of Madison’s hardest working jazz groups, the Jon Hoel Trio features Ben Ferris on bass and Kelby Kryshak on drums and […]

Ben Ferris Octet

April 24, 2018 by WORT 89.9FM

Ben Ferris Octet returns to North Street Cabaret! May 4th, 9pm (2 sets) 610 North Street Jim Doherty, trumpet Marty Busch, Trombone Nick Bartell, Jon Hoel, Luke Busch, saxes Ben Ferris, bass Vince Farris, keys Michael Koszewski, drums

Ben Ferris Quintet Debut Album Release Party This Friday Dec 16

December 12, 2016 by 8 O'Clock Buzz

This Friday December 16th is the date for the Ben Ferris Quintet Debut Album – “Home” release party! They’ll be performing at Crescendo Espresso Bar and Music Café (1859 Monroe St. in Madison) on Friday at 7:30 pm. The group consists of Paul Dietrich, trumpet; Nick Bartell, tenor; Paul Hastil, piano; Ben Ferris, bass; and […]

Ben Ferris on collaboration and cohesion

December 8, 2016 by Tone Madison

One thing a lot of people don’t appreciate about jazz in Madison is that so many young musicians are in the mix keeping it interesting. One of them is bassist Ben Ferris. He graduated from UW-Madison in 2013 after studying under the great Richard Davis, and he currently plays in several bands around town. He […]

Indigenous Jazz: Ben Ferris

May 9, 2016 by 8 O'Clock Buzz

Madison Central Library and the Greater Madison Jazz Consortium continues its Indigenous Jazz series, focusing on new works by local artists. Next up on the concert program is the Ben Ferris Quintet, who will play the library Friday, May 27. The band will feature new compositions inspired by events and experiences in today’s world such […]

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