Tom Schnabel

Tom Schnabel

Host, Tom Schnabel's Rhythm Planet

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.  

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

Tom Schnabel on KCRW

Chick Corea was a protean musician.

Tom Schnabel shares a treasured interview with the late Chick Corea from 1982

Chick Corea was a protean musician.

from KCRW Features

Tom Schnabel is considered a legend on these mean streets of Los Angeles. He's a music consultant, a historian and educator, and a curator for multiple music releases and compilations.

Anthony Valadez and Novena Carmel welcome Tom Schnabel back to MBE

Tom Schnabel is considered a legend on these mean streets of Los Angeles. He's a music consultant, a historian and educator, and a curator for multiple music releases and compilations.

from Morning Becomes Eclectic

As his weekly posts on Rhythm Planet come to a close, Tom Schnabel remembers some of the wonderful experiences he had as a radio host and producer over his 43 years with KCRW.

Coda

As his weekly posts on Rhythm Planet come to a close, Tom Schnabel remembers some of the wonderful experiences he had as a radio host and producer over his 43 years with KCRW.

from Music News

More from KCRW

“I’m proud that I was able to be so strong in those moments and hold their hand because inside I was dying, knowing that no matter what I did, no matter how hard we tried, these…

from KCRW Features

KCRW’s Global Beat is a new series highlighting emerging artists from around the world.

from KCRW’s Global Beat

CDC director Rochelle Walensky says COVID-19 cases overall are up about 10% nationwide compared to last week, and big increases are happening in Michigan, New York and New Jersey.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A decade and-a-half ago, a relatively obscure tech entrepreneur with a passion for education reform was rejected for a second term as head of the California School Board over his…

from Zócalo's Connecting California

Navigating the pandemic as a small business owner isn’t easy. But there’s a lot of help, so long as you know where to look.

from KCRW Features

For four straight days , India has broken the global daily record for new coronavirus cases, but experts say the actual number of new infections could be much higher.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The federal government decided this morning to pause Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Seward Johnson’s, 26-foot tall, 2011 sculpture “Forever Marilyn” depicts the truly iconic Marilyn Monroe mid-subway breeze from that famous scene in “The Seven Year Itch” — face…

from Greater LA

The 2021 Olympics in Tokyo are slated to start at the end of July. But last week, Japan declared a coronavirus-related state of emergency.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand