The Real Tracy Fields – Evenin’ Jazz at WLRN 91.3 Miami, Florida

Tracy Fields grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Her father and older brothers spun records that shaped her taste. She listened to Count Basie with Joe Williams on 78 records, Motown, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and War. When her brothers left for college, she turned to the radio. She followed her brothers to Hampton University, where she worked at the college station WHOV, and realized that she was a natural broadcaster. She majored in Mass Media Arts as a double major in broadcasting and journalism.

Tracy played various clarinets in school bands for years. “I wasn’t very good at it but I enjoyed playing the clarinets and taking piano lessons.”

After a couple of summer jobs in radio, she went to graduate school, landing at WCLK (91.9 FM) in Atlanta. When she completed her Master’s degree, she was hired as a reporter with the Associated Press (AP). The AP sent her to Miami, where she focused on the news business for several years, with a brief stint at WDNA. Volunteer pitching, during a 1995 fund drive, led to being on the staff at WLRN as a part-timer, a position she holds to this day. Since March 2010, Tracy Fields has hosted Evenin’ Jazz on WLRN (91.3 FM). She began working at the station in 1995. A part-time employee of MiamiDade Schools, Tracy said, “I don’t think I’ve had my most challenging moment yet! The past 12 years have been about spinning plates and managing things as they come along. Several years ago, I was worried when my hours were reduced from 30 to 25 a week. But the show goes on.”

When choosing who to interview, Tracy does not differentiate between artists based on gender. She was mentored by DJs Len Pace, China Valles, and Alice Day. When Len Pace retired as host of Evenin’ Jazz, popular demand for a live, local host led to Fields as his replacement. The Real Tracy Fields has hosted Evenin’ Jazz since March 2010.

Tracy interviewed many jazz giants including Randy Weston, Al Jarreau, Rene Marie, Cecile McLorin Salvant, the Marsalis brothers, Eddie Palmieri, Arturo Sandoval, Joey DeFrancesco, and most of the noted jazz legends in South Florida.

Join host Tracy Fields on Evenin’ Jazz every Monday through Friday from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am on WLRN (91.3 FM) for the best jazz and blues music. Evenin’ Jazz brings you America’s indigenous art form in all its colors. From cutting-edge young lions to venerable originators, electric to acoustic, high-voltage to easygoing, you will be treated to a broad palette of the finest in music. Take a break from the cares of the day and indulge in a little Evenin’ Jazz with Tracy Fields.

Why The Real Tracy Fields? Tracy has two reasons. At the dawn of the Internet, she owned the domain name tracyfields.com. But she did not do anything with it for a few years and I let it go.

“When I was ready, someone else owned it and wanted $895 for it! Also, my name was too common,” Tracy admitted.

Her second reason is based on a children’s book by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit, where two toy characters discuss

becoming Real. The Velveteen Rabbit asked the Skin Horse, “What is Real? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”