The apparently indefatigable Sterling James has brought a quiet storm to your FM dial every weekday afternoon for years — twenty, according to her press materials, though not exclusively on KBLX 102.9 FM. Having worked for pop-oriented Alice 97.3 and dance station Energy 92.7 before landing her current slot, James wasn’t always spinning the hits of Anita Baker and Luther Vandross. In fact, the veteran radio host’s tastes are pretty hip, judging from the performance lineup at her forthcoming twentieth anniversary celebration — which includes soul singer Martin Luther, hip-hop diva Jennifer Johns, free-jazz trio Broun Fellinis, YouthSpeaks poets, and DJ Wisdom (who holds court in hip-hop and world music scenes). Save for Luther, it’s unlikely that any of these artists would ever be characterized as “soft and warm.” They’ll bring a storm nonetheless. Count on it. Sterling James’ 20 Years in Bay Area Radio Party goes down Saturday, October 6 at the Independent. 9 p.m., $20-$25; proceeds benefit YouthSpeaks. TheIndependentSF.com
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