Tom Schnabel

Tom Schnabel

Host, Tom Schnabel's Rhythm Planet

Contact: tom.schnabel@kcrw.com | 310-581-5823

Tom Schnabel is an internationally recognized radio producer, pioneer, and innovator in world music. He helped introduce world music to American audiences as KCRW’s first music director and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic (1979-1991). Tom is the author of two books (Stolen Moments: Conversations with Contemporary Musicians and Rhythm Planet: The Great World Music Makers), and numerous articles about music. He has produced a number of recordings (Trance Planet, vols. 1–5), and provides music supervision for advertising and movies. He has also served as Program Advisor for the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall.  Tom has taught in Los Angeles (UCLA Extension, SCIARC, Mt. Saint Mary’s College) and in Paris (Ecole Universelle). He has over 18 years of experience teaching world music and currently offers weekly music salons at his home.

His new project at KCRW, Rhythm Planet, showcases the best in jazz and world music.  The digital platform includes an on-demand show, a membership club, a blog, and a series of live music salons.  

Tom Schnabel on KCRW

Celebrate the charm and legacy of Tony Bennett, who died at 96, with a newly-unearthed 1990 interview on Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Tony Bennett on neighborhood charm, Count Basie, and painting landscapes

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from Music Special Programming

Late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto joins Tom Schnabel in 1988 for his first of many visits to KCRW, where they discuss fame, technology, and artistic influences.

The exquisite zen of Ryuichi Sakamoto: On fame, technology, and art (1988)

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from Music Special Programming

Musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away last week. Though he’s considered an early pioneer of electronic music, he fused together many genres.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: The late composer was a ‘musical polymath’ and fashion icon

Musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away last week. Though he’s considered an early pioneer of electronic music, he fused together many genres.

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