The Current hires longtime host Jade as new music director

The Current (89.3 FM) has hired a new music director in longtime employee Jade Tittle. 

The Current, which is part of Minnesota Public Radio, announced Thursday it hired Jade, who will start as the station's music director on Feb. 1. 

Jade started with The Current in 2008 as an overnight host, but now can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She'll continue hosting during the day in addition to her new role as music director. 

“Even before I worked here, I was a fan of The Current because it’s always been a place to commune and discover. This station values musicians and works to develop relationships with both established artists and those just starting out,” Jade said in a statement. “I look forward to cultivating the audience we’ve established these last 16 years as a station and exploring ways to deepen our connection to our community of music lovers in Minnesota and around the world.”

The Current launched its search for a music director a year ago, with previous director David Safar getting promoted to become the station's managing director in 2019.

In her new role, Jade will determine the radio station's overall sound through the management of The Current's music library, incoming music to the station, relationships with record labels and the selection of music that gets played on-air, the release said. 

“I believe that music isn’t just something with which we have a casual relationship – it fits into our moods and is a part of our memories,” she said. “And it’s wonderful working at a place that values passion, storytelling, and education – discovering music new and old.”

Jade is a Minnesota native who got a degree in journalism at the University of Kansas. During college, she interned for 2024 Records, and when she graduated she moved back to Minnesota and promoted independent musicians with Tinderbox Music. 

“Jade has been a huge champion of amplifying independent artists and helping our midday audience discover new music,” The Current’s Managing Director David Safar said in a statement. “From supporting local artists to hosting events in Minnesota and broadcasting from festivals across the U.S., she brings to the role a commitment to connecting listeners with emerging artists. I'm excited to have her as part of the programming team at The Current."

While at The Current, she's also served as the special event coordinator, producer, and host of podcasts and videos.