We've just been identified by the voice, and words, of Michael Patoray. It is a sound we will have to remember and treasure. Michael died early Monday morning from a fast moving and extremely aggressive form of liver cancer, after a stay of about a week in the hospital.
It is appropriate for KPBX to be identified by Michael, who, for nearly the entire history of this station, made it his life. His devotion to the station has included working most holidays, watching over everything here, feeding the alley cats (no, that's not a metaphor for his jazz show) and always manifesting his deep love and devotion to this cause.
Michael brought a lifetime of experience to the many music shows he did for us. Having served his country in the Merchant Marine he knew and understood the world and its people. That became his primary gift to all of us, through his world music show Saturday Café.
In his typical understated way, he has requested no public gathering on his behalf. We will continue to air his few archival recordings of Saturday Café for the next few weeks. This Saturday night at 7 PM the Saturday Café will present some remembrances and stories from some of his friends and co-workers.
