About
JBTV
JBTV is Chicago´s longest-running, most respected local TV show dedicated to music lovers and is a byproduct of what goes on in the JBTV music video production house.
JBTV studios offer the ONLY total-environment rock and roll music video production house with a TV show that has been running for 25 years.
Chicago music icon and founder of JBTV, Jerry Bryant, has produced and aired over 3,600 weekly episodes of JBTV since its inception in 1985 entirely at his own expense. In the process, his love for music and determination to introduce overlooked artists to his loyal viewers has twice garnered the coveted Billboard Music Video Award for ´Best Local/Regional Alternative Modern Rock Show´ and multiple Emmy Awards for production.
Continuously hosting many of the biggest names in modern rock history, including Joey Ramone, Green Day, Billy Corgan, Moby, No Doubt, Pearl Jam, Henry Rollins, and too many others to name, JBTV has become the longest-running source for modern music television in the nation and one of the few remaining examples of Chicago´s proud tradition of local programming.
Anyone who is a die-hard music fan in Chicago has undoubtedly come across JBTV host Ryan Manno. Between his many years on the air at Chicago alternative music station Q101, curating at Chicago rock club Angels & Kings, and announcing artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, and Muse in front of 70,000 screaming fans at Lollapalooza, this guy can be found pretty much anywhere music is being played. He´s traveled the world covering music and pop-culture events, with appearances on MTV, E! Network's The Girls Next Door, The Amazing Race, and Kathy Griffin´s My Life on the D-List. He´s also hosted band documentaries from Plain White T´s and Naked Raygun, and has been featured in interviews in Rolling Stone, Spin, and Blender magazine. Ryan has broadcasted live from the Grammy Awards, MTV VMA´s, red carpets of Hollywood movie premieres and overseas music festivals. Lately, he´s been hosting a free weekly local music series at Chicago rock bar Angels & Kings, called the One Man(no) Show. As a lifelong fan of the show, Ryan is thrilled to bring his musical expertise to JBTV.
It´s no wonder host Jenna Martinelli is the best-dressed person at JBTV. Aside from her fashion design degree from Harper College, she's also served as a personal shopper, assistant manager, and stylist at Wicker Park´s finest clothing store, AKIRA. When she´s not bringing the best new music to JBTV or styling photo shoots over at AKIRA, Jenna spends her time as a member of the Chicago Blackhawk Ice Crew, working to keep the ice in tip top shape and interacting with fans. The Ice Crew has been looking especially stylish this season, thanks to Jenna designing their new uniforms. Besides all that, she´s done a myriad of charity work, including being a part of the Special Kids Network Golf Outing and the Loyola Ronald McDonald Home Charity Golf Outing. With a rocker father and several musicians in her family, music is in Jenna´s blood.
JBTV Urban Beat host and Chicago native Jeff Baraka is a writer, producer, and performer of eclectic hip hop music. He compares his music to the likes of fellow Chicagoans Common, Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West. Jeff is an MC, poet, and all-around purveyor of the spoken word. He´s recently migrated from hip hop to theater before finally starting his career as a media personality. Jeff will be bringing the best of hip hop, rap, soul, disco, dance and urban beats to JBTV. JBTV Urban Beat is available online at jbtvonline.com and on iTunes as a subscribable video podcast.
Tobias Jeg, JBTV Static Age co-host, is a Chicago transplant from Washington state via San Francisco, drawn here by the city´s vibrant music culture. Between working for Fat Wreck Chords, writing for Alternative Press and AMP magazines, and starting record label Red Scare Industries, this guy is overflowing with punk rock street cred. He´s worked closely with a few burgeoning bands you may have heard of, like NOFX, Rise Against, The Lawrence Arms, and Against Me!. You might have run into him at concert venues around the Chicago, hosting Red Scare Presents events with a few of the label´s active bands, including Teenage Bottlerocket, Cobra Skulls, The Falcon, and more. When he´s not working, he´s cheering on his favorite soccer team or dominating the jukebox at Gingerman Tavern in Wrigleyville in Chicago.
Chicago native and JBTV Static Age co-host, Brendan Kelly graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor´s Degree in Radio, Television, and Film, but if you ask him he´ll tell you he spent that time as a nude model in Europe or attending Harvard Medical School. You´ll probably recognize Brendan as the frontman for Chicago punk mainstay The Lawrence Arms, as well as Slapstick, The Broadways, and The Falcon. In his downtime from rocking out, Brendan spends his time reading, blogging, and cleaning up after his two chihuahuas and newborn son. Brendan brings punk rock expertise and rampant tomfoolery to the JBTV staff. JBTV Static Age is available online at jbtvonline.com and on iTunes as a subscribable video podcast.
JBTV is proud to network with like-minded businesses via sponsorships with JBTV. Sponsoring JBTV encourages the growth of our local music scene while building mutually beneficial relationships with local businesses; we further our commitment to our community while promoting independence in all of its forms.
JBTV's end-to-end production house provides entertainers with professionally mastered and creatively edited and produced audio/video materials for Press and Talent Buyers´ Kits, personal promotion and something for the merchandise table.
