A popular jazz radio personality is back --- again. Tom Pethic hosts the third incarnation of Artistry in Jazz from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays on Legends 990 AM WLGZ (and Legends990.com).

The program debuted in 1982 on WGMC FM. "Back then, a thing called a turntable was present," says Pethic, who was on the station for 21 years. "I actually miss the days of having to cue up a record."

The next chapter, on WLGZ, lasted 18 months. It was an arrangement where Pethic bought air time and had to sell advertising to pay for it.

This time Pethic is on staff at WLGZ. "Coming back on the air is like a new birth for me in radio," he says. "I'm cherishing this opportunity, and I hope my audience didn't stray too far."

But will fans listen to music on the talk-heavy AM dial?

Pethic says jazz was played on AM long before he was born. He believes the latest breakthrough --- high-definition radio --- will make AM radio the new place to turn for music. (Legends 990 broadcasts in high definition.)

"It's is like high-definition television, a digital signal versus an analog signal," says Pethic. "It has a separated stereo signal, and the reception is crystal clear. As you can imagine, this brings jazz to life."

To receive radio in high definition, listeners will have to buy an HD receiver or HD radio. But, says Pethic, some newer cars are already equipped with HD, and it will be common in the future.

With a four-hour show, Pethic has plenty of time for special segments showcasing the music of Billie Holiday, Count Basie, and Tony Bennett. One 30-minute segment is bound to be especially popular: "Home Grown Jazz," which, says Pethic, "will give well-deserved attention to the musicians who have come from our neck of the woods."

"I'm highlighting players like Sal Nistico, who was a Syracuse native," says Pethic, and former Rochesterian Joe Romano. They were in the Woody Herman orchestra together and would often have tenor battles. There's a lot of history in this area and I don't want people to forget this important piece of the jazz pie."

Other featured musicians will include Syracuse's Joe Magnarelli; Utica's JR Monterose; Buffalo's Sam Noto; Mt. Morris's Pat, Joe, and John LaBarbera; and Rochester's Chuck Mangione, Frank Strazzeri, and Mike Melito.