Mort Fega, radio broadcaster, record producer, journalist and teacher died Jan. 21 at the age of 83. According to the family, the cause of death was complications following surgery.
Fega began his broadcasting career at a small radio station in his hometown of New Rochelle, NY, where his Saturday afternoon jazz program gained a faithful following. Fega’s show was one of the few radio programs that featured modern jazz; Fega’s typical show included everything from bebop and big band to comedy.
In 1962, Fega moved to WEVD in New York City where he broadcast his program Jazz Unlimited six nights a week.
After leaving WEVD, Fega continued to broadcast jazz from various locations including New York City, Phoenix and Hartford.
Although Fega “retired” to Florida in 1986, he was still involved in a number of projects. He hosted a five-hour Saturday evening program at NPR station WXEL, taught a History of Jazz course at Palm Beach Community College and wrote a weekly column for the Palm Beach Post.
In addition to his broadcast career, Fega was a record producer. He began Focus Records to showcase lesser-known talents like guitarist Chuck Wayne and singer/pianist Bob Dorough, and to record musicians he liked such as Carmen McRae and Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines.
Fega is survived by his wife of 60 years, Muriel (nee Praete), and four sons: Russell of Altadena, Calif., Douglas of Carefree, Ariz., Kenneth of Sedona, Ariz., and Roger of Amherst, Mass., and eight grandchildren.
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