BBC Music Jazz Programme Information Week 45-46 (Thursday 12 November – Sunday 15 November 2015)
‘BBC Music Jazz’ is a collaboration between BBC Radio, Jazz FM and the EFG London Jazz Festival. It is the first time BBC Radio stations will have worked in collaboration with Jazz FM to offer audiences a one-stop shop for jazz music. The temporary pop-up digital radio station aims to offer listeners the very best of jazz music with something for everyone from complete beginners to aficionados.
The station will run on digital radio, online and mobile from 2pm on Thursday 12th November 2015 – midnight Sunday 15th November 2015. It will feature all-star presenters, performers, archive gems, live content from BBC Radio 3’s collaboration with EFG London Jazz Festival, bespoke content from BBC Radios 2, 4, 6 and BBC Radio Scotland. Jazz FM will offer access to their flagship programmes and rare archive recordings.
BBC Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith with Jazz FM presenter Helen Mayhew will present the ‘50 Greatest Jazz Artists’. The programme will be broadcast daily on the pop-up station with audiences invited to vote for their favourite artist.
THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2015 BBC Music Jazz Week 45 2015
Jamie Cullum - Welcome to Jazz 14:00-15:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jamie Cullum opens the BBC Jazz Service with a celebration of his favourite ever live jazz recordings. Digging into his collection, he plays classics from Montreux to the Village Vanguard, from Birdland to Ronnie Scott’s. He talks about his own favourite gigs, and the performances he wishes he’d been there for. And there’s some surprise contemporary shows in the mix as well. Produced by Ian Parkinson, Folded Wing Productions
My Favourite Jazz Moment 15:00-15:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment.
Jazz for Absolute Beginners with Kevin LeGendre 15:05-16:00 BBC Music Jazz
For some people jazz can almost seem as divisive as a certain kind of vegetable spread you put on toast. You either love it or hate it. But jazz writer Kevin LeGendre has a theory that almost anyone can feel at home in the jazz tent if they hear the right kind of jazz. Jazz singer and broadcaster Claire Martin invites Kevin to bring in an armful of music designed for “Jazz For Absolute Beginners”. Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and many others help the programme extend a musical hand of friendship to the widest possible audience of jazz lovers and those who are less sure if this really is for them. Produced by David Allison, BBC Scotland 50 Greatest Jazz Artists 16:00-17:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoff Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the first of four programmes counting down the Jazz Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners.
Jazz Club 1700-18:00 BBC Music Jazz
The actor John Thomson best known for his roles in Cold Feet and The Fast Show shares his love of jazz. Expect music from Surprise Surprise, Yellowjackets, Al Di Meola.
John plays Louis Balfour the presenter of Jazz Club in The Fast Show and although this is a parody he’s a real jazz enthusiast and a keen drummer.
Ella Fitzgerald in Concert 18:00-19:00 BBC Music Jazz
Back in 1990, the digital radio station Jazz FM launched in London. To celebrate, the legendary Ella Fitzgerald came to London to perform three sell out nights at the Royal Albert Hall to launch the station. Featuring the Count Basie Orchestra of the time, the concert is presented by Chris Philips who introduced Ella on stage for the very concert. Produced by Nick Pitts/Jazz FM
Great Lives: Thelonious Monk 19:00-19:30 BBC Music Jazz
Hannah Rothschild champions the life of the jazz musician Thelonious Monk. Brilliant, eccentric and one of the true giants of jazz, Monk was an incredible pianist, the composer of jazz standards such as 'Round Midnight', the co-creator of bebop and a close friend of Hannah's great-aunt, the Jazz Baroness Nica Rothschild. Matthew Parris chairs as Hannah and music writer Richard Williams chart Monk's progress through the jazz clubs and recording studios of mid-twentieth century New York. Produced by Julia Johnson
Highlights of London Jazz Festival 19:30-21:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jez Nelson delves into the BBC archives for standout performances from previous London Jazz Festivals. Featuring leading acts recorded for Jazz on 3 over the last 15 years, representing the depth and breadth of contemporary jazz.
50 Greatest Jazz Artists 21:00-22:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoff Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the first of four programmes counting down the BBC Music Jazz Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners.
My Favourite Jazz Moment 22:00-22:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment.
Saxophone Jazz Masterclass with Tim Garland 22:05-22:50 BBC Music Jazz
Kevin LeGendre is joined by saxophonist Tim Garland to explore the delights and sounds of an instrument which has long been at the core of jazz music. Through a mixture of legendary recordings and examples played by Tommy we hear how the instrument has developed and remained at the forefront of jazz ensembles. From the soulful John Coltrane and to the stately Jan Garbarek and many points in between Kevin and Tim will explore the diverse range of sounds the jazz saxophone can create. Tim will also give some historical background to the instrument as well as demonstrating some of the key techniques used to exploit its potential. Produced by David Allison, BBC Scotland
BBC Music Jazz: Introducing 22:50-23:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jez Nelson champions the London based septet Nérija. Nérija is an all-female group of musicians and composers formed through the music initiative Tomorrow’s Warriors. There’s concert music from Nérija’s performance at the Manchester Jazz Festival 2015. Produced by Lee-Ann Howieson, BBC Scotland
Jazz For Absolute Beginners with Kevin LeGendre 23:00-00:00 BBC Music Jazz
For some people jazz can almost seem as divisive as a certain kind of vegetable spread you put on toast. You either love it or hate it. But Jazz writer Kevin LeGendre has a theory that almost anyone can feel at home in the jazz tent if they hear the right kind of jazz. Jazz singer and broadcaster Claire Martin invites Kevin to bring in an armful of music designed for “Jazz For Absolute Beginners”. Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and many others help the programme extend a musical hand of friendship to the widest possible audience of jazz lovers and those who are less sure if this really is for them. Produced by David Allison, BBC Scotland
FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2015 BBC Music Jazz Week 45 2015
Billie Holiday at 100 14:00-15:00 BBC Music Jazz
Vocalists Claire Martin and Liane Carroll celebrate diva Billie Holiday’s 100th birthday by selecting music from their personal collections. Together they navigate us through story of Billie’s life peppered with some of her classic recordings including ‘God Bless The Child’, ‘Fine and Mellow’ and the iconic ‘Strange Fruit’ described by the late jazz writer Leonard Feather as "the first significant protest in words and music, the first unmuted cry against racism”. Produced by Sushil Dade, BBC Scotland
My Favourite Jazz Moment 15:00-15:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment
Jazz Club 15:05-16:00 BBC Music Jazz
The actor John Thomson best known for his roles in Cold Feet and The Fast Show shares his love of jazz. Expect music from Surprise Surprise, Yellowjackets, Al Di Meola.
John plays Louis Balfour the presenter of Jazz Club in The Fast Show and although this is a parody he’s a real jazz enthusiast and a keen drummer.
50 Greatest Jazz Artists 16:00-17:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoff Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the second of four programmes counting down the BBC Music Jazz Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners.
Jazz Sounds of the 80s 17:00-18:00 BBC Music Jazz
Sara Cox looks at the best jazz sounds of the 80s.
Neil n’ Dud – The Other Side of Dudley Moore 18:00-19:00 BBC Music Jazz
Neil Cowley is an award winning jazz musician. He is also Dudley Moore’s number one fan. Dudley was known mainly for his comedy and movie career, but actually, he was more at home in-front of a piano. This is Neil Cowley’s revealing and personal insight into his hero, featuring music from Dudley’s many album releases plus anecdotes and stories alongside a good dollop of humour. The programme also includes exclusive audio from a recently uncovered interview between Dudley and Jazz FM founder Dave Lee recorded for Christmas Day in 1990. Produced by Nick Pitts/Jazz FM
Soul Music: Strange Fruit 19:00-19:30 BBC Music Jazz
"Southern trees bear a strange fruit, blood on the leaves and blood at the root..." Billie Holiday's famous song expresses the horror and anguish of those communities subjected to a campaign of lynching in the American South. Soul Music hears the stories of people whose relatives were lynched by white racists and of the various forms of grief, anger and reconciliation that have followed. These include the cousin of teenager Emmett Till, whose killing in 1955 for whistling at a white woman, added powerful impetus to the civil rights movement.
Despite its association with the deep south, the song was actually composed in 1930's New York by a Jewish schoolteacher, Abel Meeropol. Meeropol adopted the children of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg after they were executed in 1953 as Soviet spies. One of those children, Robert, talks of his adopted father's humanity and his belief that the Rosenbergs were killed in a 'state sanctioned lynching by the American government'. For him, Strange Fruit is a comforting reminder of his adopted father's passionate belief in justice and compassion. Produced by Maggie Ayre, BBC Radio 4
Live From the LJF: Opening Gala Concert – Voices 19:30-21:00 BBC Music Jazz
Sara Mohr Pietsch introduces the EFG London Jazz Festival's opening night gala, live from the Barbican in London. Guy Barker conducts the London Jazz Festival Orchestra in Jazz Voice 2015 - a celebration of some of the great songs of the past ten decades, sung by some of the great voices of today.
Among this year's line-up are Illinois-born R&B singer Liv Warfield; emerging Californian singer- songwriter Jarrod Lawson; New York-based singer and guitarist Becca Stevens; UK veteran Elaine Delmar, who made her broadcast debut in 1952; and younger Brits Joe Stilgoe and Rebecca Ferguson.
The programme of songs, all specially arranged by Guy Barker, draws on major anniversaries, birthdays and milestones that link the decades stretching back from 2015. During the interval, Sara Mohr Pietsch talks to Guy Barker and meets some of the soloists.
A Jazzy Verb 20:30-20:50 (Time may vary) Ian McMillan reflects on discovering jazz as a young man and explores the connections between jazz, voice and language. Produced by Sharon Sephton
50 Greatest Jazz Artists 21:00-22:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoff Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the second of four programmes counting down the BBC Music Jazz Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners.
My Favourite Jazz Moment 22:00-22:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment.
Bass Jazz Masterclass with Laurence Cottle 22:05-22:50 BBC Music Jazz
Claire Martin presents a whistle stop tour of the bass in the company of virtuoso player Laurence Cottle. Including analysis of classic bass lines used in jazz, on double bass and electric, performed by Charlie Mingus, Ray Brown, Marcus Miller, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, Esperanza Spalding and Stanley Clarke. Cottle also demonstrates and explores the wide range of sounds possible from the bass including a demonstration of the use of ‘harmonics’ as pioneered by one of his favourite bassists Jaco Pastorius. Produced by Sushil Dade, BBC Scotland
BBC Music Jazz: Introducing 22:50-23:00 BBC Music Jazz
Claire Martin introduces trumpeter, composer and skilled improviser Laura Jurd. Laura has released two albums under her name and has released with groups Chaos Orchestra and Blue Eyed Hawk. Laura won the esteemed Dankworth Prize in 2011 when she was just 19 years old. There’s archive session recordings from Laura’s multiple appearances on BBC Radio.
Jazz on 3 – Live from Ronnie Scott’s 23:00-00:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jez Nelson hosts a special edition of Jazz on 3 live from Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in Soho on the opening night of the 2015 EFG London Jazz Festival. The programme features exclusive performances from some of the most sought-after acts at the festival, celebrating the breadth and quality of the jazz scene today. The line-up includes Norwegian trumpeter and 'future jazz' pioneer Nils Petter Molvaer and Vula Viel, a new British quartet led by percussionist Bex Burch, whose music combines influences from electronica and classical minimalism with the mesmerising melodies of Ghana's Dagaare tribe. Plus special guests.
SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2015 BBC Music Jazz Week 45 2015
Jazz Sounds of Cinema 14:00-15:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Matthew Sweet with a selection of jazz inspired film music including Justin Hurwitz's new score for "Whiplash" and the Classic Score "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Alex North. The progamme includes music from "The Cotton Club"; "Paris Blues"; "King of Jazz"; "To Have And Have Not"; "Stormy Weather"; "Sweet Smell of Success"; "The Criminal"; "All Night Long"; "Lift To The Scaffold"; "Knife In The Water" and "Round Midnight".
My Favourite Jazz moment 15:00-16:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment.
Mary Anne Hobbs 15:05-16:00 BBC Music Jazz
BBC 6 Music presenter Mary Anne Hobbs presents her own unique show as part of BBC Music Jazz, bridging the new-jazz of Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington with past luminaries such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Mary Anne has long championed Flying Lotus’s label Brainfeeder and will be showcasing some of his latest album You're Dead! As well as having an exclusive interview Kamasi Washington, a 34-year-old saxophonist from Los Angeles, who is changing the way people think about jazz. His sprawling three-disc debut album, The Epic, also on the Brainfeeder label is already being tipped as one of the albums of 2015. Washington gigs regularly with a cohort of fellow jazz musicians in L.A., and has toured with artists like Snoop Dogg and Chaka Khan, but people really noticed him when he played saxophone and wrote arrangements on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly earlier this year. His contributions to that album have raised his profile and brought more attention to The Epic, which he recorded with his usual band — plus a 32-piece orchestra and a 20-person choir.
50 Greatest Jazz Artists 16:00-17:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the third of four programmes counting down the BBC Music Jazz Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners.
Jazz Record Requests 17:00-18:00 BBC Music Jazz
From the Barbican Free Stage, including live music from singer Juliet Kelly and pianist Kate Williams, Alyn Shipton is joined by listeners to introduce their own requests in a special live edition of the show from the EFG London Jazz Festival. Produced by Kevin Bee
The Blue Print 18:00-19:00 BBC Music Jazz
Chris Phillips presents new jazz from Jazz FM
Great Lives: John Coltrane 19:00-19:30 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz Saxophonist Andy Sheppard chooses John Coltrane, creator of Giant Steps and A Love Supreme, for Great Lives. Presenter Matthew Parris claims to be no fan of jazz, but backing up Andy Sheppard’s nominations is Tony Herrington, Editor of Wired Magazine.
Kamasi Washington Live 19:30-21:00 BBC Music Jazz
Gilles Peterson presents Kamasi Washington and GoGo Penguin live from the London Jazz Festival.
50 Greatest Jazz Artists 21:00-22:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the third of four programmes counting down the BBC Music Jazz Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners.
My Favourite Jazz Moment 22:00-22:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment.
Drums - Jazz Masterclass 22:05-22:50 BBC Music Jazz
Kevin Le Gendre presents a drum masterclass with drummer Martin France. Recorded at the BBC Maida Vale studios in London, Martin demonstrates some of the key techniques used in jazz drumming using an array of drums, skins sticks, brushes and cymbals! Including analysis of some of his favourite drum breaks from legendary stickmen including Buddy Rich, Max Roach and Tony Williams. Martin is currently Professor of Jazz ( Drums/Percussion) at the Royal Academy of Music in London and has performed and recorded with a diverse range of artists including Elvis Costello, David Gilmour, Kenny Wheeler, John Dankworth and John Surman to name but a few. Produced by Sushil Dade, BBC Scotland
BBC Music Jazz: Introducing 22:50-23:00 BBC Music Jazz
Julian Joseph introduces the winner of the Young Jazz Musician 2014, saxophonist Alexander Bone. Along with Django Bates and Trish Clowes, Julian crowned Alexander the winner so has experienced his talent first hand. There’s music from Alexander’s performance at the awards with the Gwilym Simcock Trio, including the winning piece.
Funk & Jazz Show 23:00-00:00 BBC Music Jazz
Craig Charles puts a jazz twist into his usual Funk & Soul Show sharing his love of the Italian jazz-soul vocalist Mario Biondi, the New Orleans marching band, Hot 8 Brass Band and the legendry Herbie Hancock.
SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2015 BBC Music Jazz Week 45 2015 Sara Cox Jazz Special 14:00-15:00 BBC Music Jazz
Sara Cox looks at the best jazz sounds of the 80s.
My Favourite Jazz Moment 15:00-15:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment.
Masters of Improvisation 15:05-16:00 BBC Music Jazz
Julian Joseph presents a Masters of Improvisation special in the company of virtuoso guitarist Martin Taylor. Featuring music from some of the greatest guitar improvisers including Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall. The show also includes selections from other great improvisers in jazz including saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Bill Evans and vocalist Sarah Vaughan. Martin demonstrates the key principles to improvising and also performs an improvisation with Julian Joseph on piano.
BBC Music 50 Greatest Jazz Artists 16:00-17:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the climax to four programmes counting down the BBC Music Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners. Today's programme presents the top ten including the artist selected as the BBC Music Greatest Jazz Artist.
Jamie Cullum 17:00-18:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jamie Cullum presents a celebration of his favourite ever live jazz recordings. Digging into his collection, he plays classics from Montreux to the Village Vanguard, from Birdland to Ronnie Scott’s. He talks about his own favourite gigs, and the performances he wishes he’d been there for. And there’s some surprise contemporary shows in the mix as well.
Dinner Jazz 18:00-19:00 BBC Music Jazz
Dinner Jazz presents music from the greats, plus great new British jazz and an eye on world jazz – a perfect way to relax into the evening presented by Jazz FM's Helen Mayhew. Produced by Chris Philips/Nick Pitts/Jazz FM Soul Music: Summertime 19:00-19:30 BBC Music Jazz
Reflections on the impact of one of George Gershwin’s most famous songs.
BBC Jazz Around The Country 19:30-21:00 BBC Music Jazz
Jez Nelson and Claire Martin (tbc) celebrate highlights from jazz festivals around the country recorded by the BBC with contributions from Stephen Duffy (Scotland), Linley Hamilton (Ulster). Produced by David Allison, BBC Scotland
BBC Music 50 Greatest Jazz Artists 21:00-22:00 BBC Music Jazz
Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith and Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew present the climax to four programmes counting down the BBC Music Top 50 Greatest Jazz Artists as voted for by listeners. Today's programme presents the top ten including the artist selected as the BBC Music Greatest Jazz Artist.
My Favourite Jazz Moment 22:00-22:05 BBC Music Jazz
Jazz fans and celebrities share their favourite jazz moment
Trombone - Jazz Masterclass 22:05-22:50 BBC Music Jazz
A celebration of one of the most misunderstood instruments in music - the trombone. Often passed off for its comedy effect, trombonist Dennis Rollins and Jez Nelson show how the instrument has been used in the world of jazz and the diverse range of sounds the instrument is capable of making. With analysis of classic recordings including tracks by trombone legends Jack Teagarden, Fred Wesley and J J Johnson. Dennis also gives us a short history of the instrument as well as providing a masterclass demonstrating some of the key techniques used as well as telling us about the components of the instrument (valve, slides, buttons). Produced by Sushil Dade, BBC Scotland
BBC Music Jazz: Introducing 22:50-23:00 BBC Music Jazz
BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens introduces contemporary jazz artist Izzy Bizu. Izzy Bizu was raised on Ella Fitzgerald and draws influence from Amy Winehouse to create a very modern jazz sound. There’s music from Izzy’s performance on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury 2014, plus session material recorded earlier this year. Produced by Lee-Ann Howieson, BBC Scotland
Claire Teal’s Big Band Xtra 23:00-00:00 BBC Music Jazz
Clare Teal shares those big band tracks that mean something special to her, music by Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnet, Glenn Miller, Quincy Jones and Tommy Dorsey to name just a few. She’ll share her knowledge of the bands and music from that great time in jazz – the big band era.