(March 16, 2004) -- A funeral service for L.A.'s legendary voice of jazz, Chuck Niles, is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Forest Lawn Hollywood, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. Services will be held in Forest Lawn's Church of the Hills.
"This service is open to everyone who loved Chuck, said KKJZ station manager Sean Heitkemper in a written release, adding "that means family, friends and fans alike are invited to attend."
Mr. Niles, whose KKJZ air work earned him listeners throughout the southland and worldwide via satellite and the internet, died on March 15 from complications related to an earlier stroke. He was 76.
KKJZ.org noted that Mr. Niles "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 added, "He remains the only Jazz Disc Jockey with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
His career spanned over half a century...including nearly fifty years locally. Mr. Niles' reassuring baritone delivery was heard on several area 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 won fans worldwide 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.
In lieu of flowers, KKJZ says donations can be made to the KKJZ-Chuck Niles Foundation, c/o KKJZ FM, 1288 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach CA 90815.