David Dye
David Dye is a longtime Philadelphia radio personality whose music enthusiasm has captivated listeners of World Cafe ® since 1991. World Cafe is produced by WXPN, the public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dye launched his distinguished broadcasting career as host of a progressive music show on WMMR 93.3 FM, a pioneering progressive rock station in Philadelphia. During his four-year tenure, Dye won accolades for his taste and laid back presentation. After a five-year stint programming radio stations in Maine, he returned to Philadelphia where he gained public radio experience at WHYY before being recruited in 1981 by alternative rock station WIOQ 102.1 FM where he made his mark on the music scene for nearly a decade.
In 1989, Dye took his musical quest to WXPN where he hosted the station's Sleepy Hollow radio program. Two years later, Dye was asked to spearhead research on the viability of a new public radio program. The research revealed an audience need for a new kind of musical format - one that was intelligent, diverse and would give musical guests a showcase for their artistic expression. Based on the findings, Dye went to work to create a unique program of musical discovery where listeners would be introduced to an eclectic blend of contemporary sounds from legendary and up-and-coming artists. World Cafe was born.
Dye is the founding host of W orld Cafe,which launched in 1991. During his tenure as host, Dye brought out the best in interviews with internationally known artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Joni Mitchell. He conducted nearly 4,500 interviews during his over 20 years with the program. In 2017 Dye took on a new role as contributing host with the program.
World Cafe and Dye have received numerous awards including: two NFCB Gold Reel Awards, Album Network's "Best Triple A Air Talent," five Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly Awards," the Philadelphia Chapter of NARAS "Hero Award," the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award and numerous radio industry trade magazine citations. In 2006, Dye was named the "Triple A Air Personality of the Year" by Radio & Records.
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World Cafe revisits a 2004 session with the best-selling Brazilian bossa nova star. -
As part of its Sense of Place: Rio series, World Caferevisits the Brazilian singer's 2004 session. -
Listen to Do Amor's special performance for World Cafe, recorded live in Rio de Janeiro. -
Hear two songs from the legendary Brazilian psychedelic rock band in a session recorded in 2009. -
In this installment of World Cafe's Sense of Place: Rio, Fraga performs two songs with his trio.
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Forro in the Dark gets its name from a style of Brazilian dance music, but it doesn't conform to those limitations, instead drawing on influences from Enrique Iglesias to Beck. Hear an interview with the band, as well as a studio performance showcasing its new songs. -
The music of Seu Jorge occupies a singular place in today's Brazil. His songs recall the traditional songwriting of Tom Jobim and Caetano Veloso, but his style, and his background, lead many to call Jorge a hero of life on Rio's streets. -
World Cafe travels to Brazil to learn more about samba music. Hear a performance by brother-duo Samba Chula de São Braz, as well as a discussion of samba with local record-store owner Randy Roberts.
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The director of the Philadelphia band Alo Brasil discusses the musical form's evolution. -
On his new collaborative album, the Canadian songwriter offers rich connections to Garifuna culture.