James (Jim) Szabo

Awarded: 2026

James (Jim) Szabo is an award-winning broadcaster, jazz advocate and cultural organizer whose work has shaped Northeast Ohio's jazz scene for more than 50 years. Born in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1955, Szabo earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Case Western Reserve University and resides in Beachwood.

A cornerstone of Cleveland radio, Szabo has been on WRUW-FM 91.1 since 1973. His program Down by the Cuyahoga — airing Fridays from 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. since 1974 — is among the longest-running jazz shows worldwide.

He has produced other programs and concerts, created the Northeast Ohio jazz calendar, and currently serves as liaison to WRUW alumni. A co-founder of the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society, Szabo served on its board of trustees (1977–1989) and helped launch Tri-C JazzFest with Dr. Thomas Horning. He continues to advise the festival and consults for regional jazz organizations.

An educator and historian, Szabo taught jazz appreciation, lectured widely and contributed to numerous publications. He helped present Miles Davis at Cleveland's State Theatre in 1987 and has served on funding panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council. A committed philanthropist, he supports jazz locally and nationally.