'BBC Music Jazz' pop-up radio in collaboration with Jazz FM and EFG London Jazz Festival

Jazz FM has joined with BBC Music and The EFG London Jazz Festival on a ground-breaking new project - a digital pop-up jazz radio station called ‘BBC Music Jazz’ to run from 2pm on Thursday 12th November to midnight Sunday 15th November 2015. 

This is the first time that commercial radio, via Jazz FM, will be working jointly with the BBC on a significant content project. The schedule has yet to be released, but Jazz FM will be providing an hour-long programme for peak times on each of the four days. We will also be jointly searching for the Top 50 Greatest Jazz Musicians through our audiences which culminates in a daily hour-long nightly countdown programme co-hosted by BBC Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith and our own Helen Mayhew. Other presenters will include Jamie Cullum, Julian Joseph, Clare Teal, Craig Charles, Jez Nelson, Claire Martin, Chris Philips, Alyn Shipton and more.

Jazz FM will feature from their archives the exclusive 1990 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz FM launch concert from the Royal Albert Hall and ‘Neil N’ Dud,’ an intimate programme about Dudley Moore through the eyes of musician and self-confessed fan Neil Cowley. Helen Mayhew will present a special edition of ‘Dinner Jazz’ and Chris Philips will host his weekly new jazz programme, ‘The Blueprint’.

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.

Jonathan Arendt, CEO Jazz FM: “It’s fantastic that jazz is bringing the BBC and commercial radio together in this unique collaboration. We know that the pop-up will introduce new audiences across the country to the wonders of jazz and the EFG London Jazz Festival. In our 25th anniversary year, we’re delighted to be working with the extraordinary teams from BBC Radio and Serious on this ground breaking digital station.”

Alan Davey, Controller of BBC Radio 3, says: “BBC Radio 3 has always had dedicated jazz strands and comprehensive live coverage of the EFG London Jazz Festival thanks to our collaboration with Serious. But all of us who love jazz must think what greater things we can all do together when it comes to reaching and serving audiences. That’s why I’m so proud to be working closely with Jazz FM, Serious and our sister BBC radio stations to give listeners such a unique digital Jazz offer that will, I hope, introduce new audiences to the wonders of jazz and remind existing fans of the great things available across the BBC and from our friends at Jazz FM - as well as the great talent on display at the EFG London Jazz Festival.”

Claire Whitaker on behalf of Serious, producers of the EFG London Jazz Festival: “We are delighted to be collaborating with both BBC Music and Jazz FM on this project, which will have the enviable result of building a wider audience both for the Festival, and the music we hold dear.”