Jim Gosa; Longtime Jazz Disc Jockey
Jim Gosa, a veteran disc jockey who was a major figure on Los Angeles jazz radio for more than three decades, most recently with station KKGO, died of melanoma Monday night at his home in Venice.
He was 58 and had been off the air for the last few years because of his illness.
A broadcasting major at the old Los Angeles City College, he was heard over the years on stations KNOB, KBIG and KFOX. He joined KKGO, then KBCA, in 1967 and was known there for his feature, “Jazz Chronicles.”
He served as a judge screening entries for the Grammy Awards and at jazz festivals throughout the area. For the past 12 years Gosa broadcast the Monterey Jazz Festival to Los Angeles.
In honor of his long career, Mayor Tom Bradley designated Feb. 13, 1987, as “Jim Gosa Day” in Los Angeles.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Le, a son, a daughter and two brothers. Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gosa’s name can be sent to the International Assn. of Jazz Educators, P.O. Box 724, Manhattan, Kan. 66502.
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