Gwen Redding, known to the jazz world as Rivablue, has been in the industry for over 40 years. With so much to unpack, these four decades have all played a part in helping her become who she is today. Her goal has always been to “make sure that people can be heard,” she says.
Music has been a significant part of Redding’s life since childhood. She remembers the first song that captivated her, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles in 1963. Since then, her passion for music has only grown stronger. She says it will always have a special place in her heart.
With music holding such a dear spot in her heart, you would think that’s where she would end up automatically. But no, Redding began her collegiate career as a nursing major at the University of The District of Columbia. It wasn’t until a math class was canceled that she met a young man who introduced her to the world of radio broadcasting. With a quick tutorial, he threw her into the fire at their college’s radio station, WUDC.
Redding later joined WDCU-FM, which later transformed into Jazz 90. There she not only worked on-air and behind the scenes but also began to delve deeper into her personal jazz radio career.
As she gained more experience performing, she was advised to adopt a stage name. Though she hadn’t previously considered it, “Rivablue” came to mind. The name holds significant meaning for her. During a journey to visit her mother, she glanced up while driving over a bridge and was struck by the beauty of the sky and water. “It was so beautiful,” she reminisces. “Riva” symbolizes a river, while “blue” represents the sky. She sees it as a statement. “Those are the things that separate us but bring us together.” Moreover, Redding interprets it as a promise: “I’ll be with you wherever you go, beyond the horizon.”
In 1994 she first embraced the name Rivablue and in 2001 she left D.C. with the goal of reaching New Orleans, yet destiny led her to Atlanta instead.
It wasn’t until 2006 that she returned to radio work. She received a call to interview at WCLK, Clark Atlanta University’s radio station. Initially hesitant due to her time away from the radio scene, Redding decided to go for it. During an interview with The Atlanta Voice, Redding recalled advice given to her years ago by Joe Williams, “Stop thinking about it and just do it.” To become more comfortable with Atlanta’s jazz artists, she attended jam sessions. She adds, “Radio is here to stay…people need radio.” Today her show among the top 20 local shows and for radio “that is pretty darn good”, Redding says.
Rivablue advises younger individuals, “While you’re in the moment— you’re in the moment; don’t wait for another day.” Although radio wasn’t initially her dream, she lives by a statement once told to her: “You did not choose radio, radio chose you.”