Jim Byers

Host and Producer, Latin Flavor Classic Edition

Jim Byers is the long-time host and producer of Latin Flavor Classic Edition on WPFW, where he has been a mainstay of the airwaves for three decades. He first joined the station at age 28 after being invited by founding producer Hector Corporan and DJ Rhonda Shore, who were impressed by his extensive record collection and deep knowledge of Latin jazz. While he never originally planned on being an on-air personality, he saw the microphone as a unique opportunity to educate the public on the historical impact of the genre.

In his professional life beyond the booth, Jim recently retired as the Director of Marketing for the Arlington Cultural Affairs Division after more than 29 years of service. His career in the arts began in the late 1980s as a coordinator for the Charlin Jazz Society, where he curated and co-produced Global Rhythm, a week-long symposium held at venues like the Kennedy Center.

Jim describes his work as revolutionary radio, fueled by a belief that preserving history is a radical act in an era where community stories are often erased. Using his personal collection of over 20,000 records and pieces of memorabilia, he paints a musical portrait for his listeners, creating multiple access points for both novices and experts to engage with the music. One of his signature segments, "News According to Mambo," specifically connects vintage rhythms to the current events of the day. His expertise is so widely recognized that his program has been integrated into the History of Pop Music curriculum at both Boston College and Boston University.

Outside of his broadcasting and marketing work, Jim is a de facto neighborhood historian for his Southeast D.C. community, where he has led walking tours of Hillcrest and Penn Branch for over 20 years. He is also a documentary filmmaker currently working on a project about 1950s nightclub star Joyce Bryant. In his spare time, he is an avid vintage car enthusiast, with a collection centered on a rare 1971 Plymouth Sport Fury in Mood Indigo Iridescent.