(March 16, 2004) -- After over half a century on air, L.A.'s legendary voice of jazz has signed off. Chuck Niles, the erudite jazz DJ whose KKJZ broadcasts earned him listeners throughout the southland and worldwide via satellite and the internet, has died at 76.
KKJZ.org marked his March 15 passing by noting that "he was beloved by all, earning him countless affectionate nicknames -- Bob Florence called him "Bebop Charlie"; the Latin Jazz world knew him as "Carlitos Neelace"; and Horace Silver dubbed him the "Hippest Cat in Hollywood."
The web site adds, "He remains the only Jazz Disc Jockey with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mr. Niles was heard on a string of local radio outlets, most in Long Beach: KFOX (formerly 1280 AM), KNOB (formerly 97.9 FM), KBCA (formerly 105.1 FM, an L.A. jazz station which became KKGO before morphing into K-Mozart). In 1990, Mr. Niles returned to LB at KLON (88.1 FM) which became KKJZ...where he garnered worldwide fans via the station's powerful satellite and internet reach.
KKJZ.org says the station "and the Niles Family would appreciate your message of condolence" at: KKJZ.org/Niles condolences.