I'm not a fan of jazz, but even I know the name Joe Rico. He was one of Buffalo's pioneer radio broadcasters and was held in such high regard, he was friends with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton. 

Rico died on Saturday at the age of 96 and in a tribute in the Buffalo News, writer Jeff Simon recalls the influence he had on Buffalo radio - even for those who never knew his name.

"His relationships with some of Buffalo's broadcast elite were little known, but nevertheless, very real. He and Rick Azar lived together in a locally renowned bachelor apartment. He and the equally legendary radio giant George "Hound Dog" Lorenz pioneered the radio syndication business that gave him fans overseas.

"When he had a show in Niagara Falls, no less than "Ramblin' Lou" Shriver functioned as his engineer."

Remembering Joe Rico, whose impact on jazz in Buffalo was immeasurable