This November, CKUA is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Residency, our hour-long program featuring fresh multi-genre programming from new voices and special guests. Over the past year, six new hosts have brought their unique sounds and stories to the airwaves, adding new energy and perspective to the CKUA lineup.
“Residency gives us a chance to discover emerging talent while expanding the range of voices and perspectives on our airwaves,” says Jasmine Vickaryous, CKUA Senior Producer. “It encourages musical exploration, pushing the boundaries of what we play, and brings a fresh energy to the station both behind the scenes and on the air.”
Residency’s very first host was Jeff Kynoch, now the host of The Cookbook Thursday nights. Although his experience in the music industry was extensive, hosting a radio program was new for him at the time.
“The Residency spot was an awesome way to dip my toes in a bit and get a taste without jumping in headfirst,” recalls Kynoch. “Of course, when I was asked to make my Residency show a regular two-hour fixture, I didn’t hesitate to say yes and couldn’t wait to get started!”
Throughout his time hosting Residency, Kynoch was grateful for the support of CKUA and its community. “I’ve always felt well-supported and free to express myself and my taste in jazz with no filter or boundaries,” he says. “My other favourite memories were just hearing from the CKUA community and their enthusiasm for new voices on-air and more jazz programming on the dial.”
Another Residency success story comes courtesy Bronson Kashino, CKUA’s newest Associate Producer and former host of The Breaks on Residency, an exploration of sample-based music.
“Mark Rodgers suggested Residency as a good way to get some on-air ‘at bats,’ so I pitched a show, and Jasmine Vickaryous helped me nail down the concept.”
Two moments stand out for Kashino from his on-air time: interviewing Justin Aswell of groundbreaking hip-hop group Mr. Invisible, and a late-night text he received after his final show.
“I always ended the show by saying, ‘see ya next week,’ but this time I said, ‘see ya when I see ya.’” Not long after signing off, Kashino received a text from a listener who said, despite not knowing much about the music Kashino shared, the show had become part of their Friday night/Saturday morning routine. The listener even signed off with a “see ya when I see ya” of their own! The message, Kashino says, was deeply gratifying.
Over the past year, Residency brought fresh perspectives, unexpected sounds, and more than a few late-night discoveries to CKUA. Here’s to another year of curiosity, creativity, and great radio!
Listen every Saturday from midnight – 1am MT for the next eight weeks for the Best of Residency, featuring our favourite broadcasts from past Residency hosts.
Stay tuned for more fresh sounds and new voices coming in 2026!
