George Leeman ‘Doc’ Manning Jr.

The Morgan State University radio host and jazz aficionado was a Mount Washington resident

George “Doc” Manning hosted a jazz show every Monday night on WEAA, Morgan State University’s radio station. file

George Leeman “Doc” Manning Jr., a Morgan State University radio host and jazz aficionado, died of heart failure Dec. 24 at University of Maryland Medical Center. The Mount Washington resident was 74.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Southwest Baltimore, he was the son of George L. Manning Sr., a shipyard worker, and his wife, Marie, a homemaker. As a child, he went with his father to live music performances at Carr’s Beach in Anne Arundel County. He attended Betsy Ross School, joined the Army and served as a medic in Vietnam. He picked up the name “Doc” through his medical training and military service.

He later completed a GED test and was a graduate of what is now Coppin State University, where he studied political science.

“He grew up learning about jazz from his mother,” said his wife, Michelle Frazier. “She was a lover of jazz and her interest led George to his vocation.”

Mr. Manning joined the Baltimore County Office of Housing and worked at the Investment Building in Towson and retired 2019.

He became an early customer when the Jazz House opened on York Road near East Cold Spring Lane in the mid-1980s.

“I hired him to work at the store after running into him at jazz venues in Washington and Baltimore. If there was jazz, George was there,” said Bill Coates, the Jazz House’s owner. “George spoke his own language. He was there for me and he was protective of the people he cared for. And he had that big smile.”

“The Jazz House was a meeting spot for those who loved music. If there was a record you wanted, you went there,” said a friend, Eric Briscoe. “Doc had a love of music, no matter what it was. He thought that jazz was taking a back seat and he kept pushing for it. He was jazz’s defender. He was very knowledgeable.”

Mr. Manning went on the air at Morgan State’s radio station, WEAA-FM, more than 20 years ago. He hosted a Sunday night show, “The Tradition.”

“Doc’s dedication to music and his community left an indelible mark on all who tuned in to hear his voice and his story. His legacy will live on through his love of music, his warm spirit, and the countless lives he touched over the years,” WEAA-FM said in a statement.

“George had an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz and interviewed countless musicians on his radio show,” said Henry Wong, owner of An die Musik, the Mount Vernon music shop and performance venue where Mr. Manning was master of ceremonies.

The An die Musik stage has been named in his memory, Mr. Wong said.

“George was really a Renaissance man. He became my co-pilot. … His name brought people together,” he said. “He built miles and miles of friendship. His life was bigger than he himself realized.”

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Mount Olive United Methodist Church at 5115 Old Court Road in Randallstown.

Survivors include his wife, Michelle Frazier, a retired educator; two stepchildren, David Frazier-Jacobs and Cheryl Kinsler; two brothers, Larry Manning and Jerome Manning; and two sisters, Christine Hankins and Joanne Manning. His survivors reside in the Baltimore area.

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