If you lived in Chicago between 1987 and 2009, you didn't just listen to the radio; you lived to the rhythm of 95.5 FM. It’s hard to explain to people who weren't there. It wasn't just background music for dentists' offices. WNUA Chicago smooth jazz was a literal mood. It was the sound of driving down Lake Shore Drive at 10:00 PM with the skyline glowing purple. It was the sonic equivalent of a warm coat in a brutal February.
But then, it vanished.
One day you’re listening to Ramsey Lewis or Rick Braun, and the next, the station flips to Spanish contemporary. People were devastated. Honestly, some people still haven't gotten over it. You see them in Facebook groups and on old message boards, hunting for those specific "Musical Starstreams" playlists. They’re looking for a feeling that modern streaming algorithms just can't seem to replicate.
The 95.5 FM Magic: More Than Just "Elevator Music"
The biggest misconception about WNUA Chicago smooth jazz is that it was boring. Critics called it "yuppie wallpaper." They were wrong. The station was a powerhouse of curation. It didn’t just play whatever was on the charts; it built a community around a specific Chicago aesthetic.
Think about the personalities. You had Denise Jordan Finley. You had the legendary Ramsey Lewis hosting "Legends of Jazz." These weren't just DJs; they were curators who lived and breathed the city's music scene. When they talked, it felt like a conversation with a friend who had an incredible record collection.
The station was also a massive commercial success. For years, WNUA sat at or near the top of the Arbitron ratings. Advertisers loved it because the audience had money. Listeners loved it because it was an escape. It was the only place where you could hear a 10-minute Pat Metheny odyssey followed by a soulful Anita Baker track without the DJ screaming over the intro.
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The Ramsey Lewis Connection
You can’t talk about WNUA without talking about Ramsey Lewis. He was the king of Chicago jazz. Having a Triple Crown winner—three Grammys, dozens of albums, and a direct line to the city’s jazz history—hosting a daily show gave the station instant "street cred." It bridged the gap between the "smooth" contemporary sounds of the 90s and the hard-bop heritage of the 50s and 60s.
He brought a certain sophistication. It wasn't just "The In Crowd" on repeat. He introduced listeners to complex arrangements and new artists like Keiko Matsui or Boney James. It made the station feel essential, not just incidental.
Why WNUA Chicago Smooth Jazz Actually Mattered
In a city as divided and loud as Chicago, WNUA was a rare "middle ground." It was one of the few stations that pulled listeners from every zip code. Whether you were in a high-rise in the Gold Coast or a bungalow in Ashburn, 95.5 was the preset.
The station’s impact on the music industry was also massive. If WNUA put your track in "heavy rotation," you were going to sell records at Rose Records or Tower Records that weekend. It was a kingmaker. Artists like Dave Koz and Candy Dulfer owe a huge chunk of their Midwestern fanbases to the relentless support of the WNUA programming directors like Lee Hansen and Blake Lawrence.
They did these "Trip-a-Day" giveaways. They hosted the "Lights Out Chicago" segments that became the soundtrack for an entire generation's late-night drives. It was a lifestyle brand before people even used that annoying term.
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The Day the Music Died (Sort Of)
On May 22, 2009, Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia) pulled the plug. The "Smooth Jazz" format was replaced by "Mega 95.5."
The business logic was cold and simple: the 25-54 demographic was shifting, and the revenue from Spanish-language broadcasting was projected to be higher. But numbers don't account for soul. The backlash was immediate. Thousands of listeners felt like they’d lost a companion.
It wasn't just about the music. It was the loss of the "vibe." You can find smooth jazz on Spotify, sure. But Spotify doesn't have Rick O'Dell telling you what the traffic is like on the Eisenhower. It doesn't have that specific WNUA station ID jingle that signaled it was time to relax.
How to Find the WNUA Sound Today
If you’re chasing that WNUA Chicago smooth jazz feeling, you’re not totally out of luck. It just takes a bit more effort than turning a dial.
First off, Rick O'Dell, one of the station's most iconic voices, kept the flame alive for years with SmoothJazzChicago.net. It’s an online stream that mirrors the old WNUA programming style. He knows exactly what the fans want—the deep cuts, the local favorites, and that specific "smooth" flow.
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Secondly, look for the "Musical Starstreams" archives. This was the syndicated program hosted by Forest that aired on WNUA late at night. It was more "New Age" and "Ambient" than jazz, but it was a cornerstone of the station’s identity. You can find many of these playlists on Mixcloud or specialized fan sites.
The Modern Smooth Jazz Landscape
The genre has evolved. It’s often called "Contemporary Instrumental" now. While 95.5 FM is gone, the "Chicago Sound" persists in local venues.
- The Jazz Showcase: Still the gold standard for live jazz in the city.
- Winter’s Jazz Club: A bit more intimate, perfect for that WNUA late-night feel.
- City Winery: Often hosts the contemporary artists who were WNUA staples.
Even the Chicago Jazz Festival every Labor Day weekend usually has a stage or a few acts that lean into the smooth, melodic style that WNUA championed. It’s a bit like a family reunion for the old 95.5 listeners.
The Technical Side: Why It Sounded So Good
Ever notice how WNUA just sounded "thicker" and "richer" than other stations? That wasn't an accident. Radio stations use sophisticated audio processing to make their signal pop. WNUA used specific compression settings that emphasized the low-end of the bass and the crispness of the percussion.
It was designed to sound good in a car. Since so much of the audience was commuting in from the suburbs—Naperville, Schaumburg, Orland Park—the engineers optimized the signal for the road. When a Kenny G soprano sax solo hit, it cut through the road noise perfectly. It was a masterpiece of broadcast engineering.
Actionable Steps for the Displaced Listener
If you're missing the station, stop trying to find a 1:1 replacement on the FM dial. It doesn't exist. Instead, recreate the experience using these specific steps:
- Follow the Alumni: Look up Rick O'Dell and Denise Jordan Finley on social media. They often share memories and links to where they are currently broadcasting or curated playlists.
- Dig Into the "WNUA 95.5 Sampler" CDs: In the 90s, the station released several compilation CDs. You can still find them for a few bucks on eBay or at local thrift stores like Reckless Records. These are the "Greatest Hits" of the station's peak years.
- Use Semantic Search: On streaming platforms, don't just search for "Smooth Jazz." Search for specific WNUA staples like "The Rippingtons," "Acoustic Alchemy," or "Earl Klugh."
- Support Local Venues: The spirit of the station lives on in the musicians. Go see a live show. The audience at a Brian Culbertson concert in Chicago is basically a WNUA reunion.
- Check Out HD Radio: If you have a modern car, look for HD Radio subchannels. Sometimes local stations hide a smooth jazz format on an "HD2" or "HD3" signal that doesn't appear on the standard FM band.
WNUA wasn't just a radio station; it was a cultural landmark. It proved that "smooth" didn't have to mean "soulless." While the 95.5 frequency has moved on, the community it built remains one of the most loyal in Chicago media history. They’re still out there, listening for that next perfect groove.