Tony Mowod

Executive Producer/Jazz Host

Even as a teenager, Tony Mowod had a great love of jazz. The vibraphone was his instrument of choice after studying classical piano as a youngster. As a student at Duquesne University, Tony began his broadcasting career at DUQ. He has also been associated with WAZZ, WTAE, WKPA, WYDD and WAMO.

Tony returned to DUQ in 1987 and in 1998, he was selected as the first host for JazzWorks, a project launched by DUQ and KBSU in Boise, Idaho. Tony's jazz program can be heard across the country on JazzWorks, a national 24-hour-a-day jazz network serving public radio stations.

Tony is considered by many to be one of Pittsburgh's most enduring champions of jazz for over four decades and he has been recognized with awards and honors throughout his career.

1967 - 1969 "Radio Personality of the Year"
1970 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival Honoree
1989 & 1990 "Excellence in Jazz Promotion Award" California University of Pennsylvania
1989 & 1990 In Pittsburgh - One of Pittsburgh's Top Five DJ's
1992 River City Brass Band - "Outstanding Contribution to the Growth & Development of Jazz"
1995 Pittsburgh Magazine - (People to Watch Category) "Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award for Jazz"
1997 - 2000 Vectors/Pittsburgh - Nominated for "Man of the Year in Communications"
1998 - 2000 Post Gazette - "Top 50 Cultural Power Brokers of Pittsburgh"
1998 Showtime '98' - "Radio Entertainer of the Year"
2000 Pittsburgh Magazine - Harry Schwalb-Excellence in the Arts Award for Jazz
2001 Vectors/Pittsburgh - "Man of the Years in Arts & Music"
2001 Pittsburgh Radio & Television Club - "Outstanding Achievement in Radio"
2002 Mellon Jazz Festival Community Award

Tony founded the Pittsburgh Jazz Society in 1987 and serves as President. The PJS provides yearly scholarships to talented young musicians. In 1998, a $100,000 scholarship endowment fund was created for the PJS by "The Friends of Dr. Howard Gendell," awarding $10,000 each year and assuring the future of the scholarship program.

Tony also founded the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame to honor musicians born and reared in Pittsburgh. In 1991, Tony formed the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Big Band, comprised of college and high school musicians. For his dedication to the PJS, he was honored by its members at a gala dinner in 2001.

Tony has served as a host for numerous National Public Radio (NPR) jazz series and also serves on the board of the American Federation of Jazz Societies. He is an advisory Board Member for the University of Pittsburgh Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) and the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. Tony has lectured on jazz history and on the subject of Public versus Commercial radio. He can be heard as a voice-over for national and local commercials and often appears as a Master of Ceremonies at universities, concert halls, jazz festivals, Fortune 500 Conferences and other community events.

Tony has written liner notes for nationally and locally known artists--Chris Vadala, Jimmy Ponder, Hendrik Meurkens, Lori Russo, Frank Cunimondo, Al Dowe/Etta Cox, Joe Negri and Don Aliquo.

Earlier in his career, Tony was involved in theater, appearing off-Broadway and on TV, as well as locally in professional summer stock, the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Children's Theater and Duquesne University's Red Masquers.