HEC-TV’s episode of I Love Jazz featuring Reggie and Mardra Thomas has taken first place in the nation in the Arts and Entertainment category of the prestigious NATOA (National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors) award.

Judges had high praise regarding all aspects of the program, hosted by nationally-renowned jazz enthusiast Don Wolff. Among the judges’ comments: “cool opening sequence; great host; nice interviews; I like how the program is laid out into different segments; I like the educational segments as well as the performances; great show; well shot from beginning to end. Great audio throughout.”

“I’m very excited and pleased to receive the award which is a tribute to the entire I Love Jazz staff,” Wolff said.

The show – named after a phrase that Wolff has been identified with since he was first heard on KXOK in 1987 – covers the St. Louis jazz scene in addition to profiles of jazz musicians who tour nationally.

“The idea of having this show came from my desire to visually preserve local musicians who have never appeared on film,” Wolff said.

Wolff and I Love Jazz producers have extended the concept to include national artists and educational segments.

While Wolff’s love of jazz gives the show its character, he says it is the highly professional staff and crew who put the show together are the ones responsible for the NATOA.

“The award is theirs,” he said. “I am just enjoying my hobby.”

The program can be viewed in its entirety here.