Gregory Porter headlines Christmas on Jazz FM

Jazz FM has announced its Christmas and New Year schedule of special programmes, and once again music and musicians will take centre stage. Highlights include…

CHINA MOSES and CLAIRE MARTIN OBE presenting shows on Christmas Day

GREGORY PORTER hosting Christmas Night 'Dinner Jazz'

Multi-Grammy award-winning MARCUS MILLER provides a party soundtrack on New Year's Eve with a warm-up from British vocalist EMILY SAUNDERS

AND special programmes celebrating jazz centenarians ... ELLA FITZGERALD, BUDDY RICH, DIZZY GILLESPIE and THELONIOUS MONK hosted by LAURA MVULA, OLLIE HOWELL, QUENTIN COLLINS and SARAH WARD.

Jazz FM’s Content Director Nick Pitts says “This is the brightest line up of jazz stars we’ve ever had on Jazz FM at Christmas.  To be able to secure the cream of British jazz, international Grammy winners and global jazz masters like Gregory Porter to broadcast to our listeners with amazing music and subject matter is a real treat.”

Christmas Day includes musician China Moses on presenter duties in the morning while former Radio 3 presenter Claire Martin joins Jazz FM to present a programme on Christmas Day afternoon with Ronnie Scott’s Big Band leader Pete Long, including a live performance from Claire herself on the Jazz FM Yamaha baby grand.

Wrapping up Christmas Day is a special edition of Dinner Jazz hosted by international jazz master Gregory Porter, whose recent personal album paying tribute to Nat “King” Cole has proved a mainstream success, reaching the Top 3 in the Official UK Album Chart.

Jamie Crick returns with his Christmas Day Requests featuring dedications, selections and calls from listeners and jazz musicians around the world.

As Jazz’s first one-hundred years pass, there are celebrations of legendary jazz centenarians including Sarah Ward’s personal tribute to Thelonious Monk and Laura Mvula’s listener countdown of the Top 10 Ella Fitzgerald songs. There are new programmes from drummer Ollie Howell with a fans-eye-view of Buddy Rich while British trumpeter Quentin Collins looks at one of his musical heroes - Dizzy Gillespie.

Finally, on New Year’s Eve following a Ronnie Scott’s Radio Show review of 2017, musician Emily Saunders provides a rhythmic Latin soundtrack before musician and producer Marcus Miller – regular host of the station’s Transatlantic Jazz - will welcome 2018 with his selection of jazz funk.

Schedule highlights/changes in detail:
As usual except…

Christmas Eve
7pm – Sarah Ward’s Christmas Collection – As the big day approaches, Sarah has a perfect relaxing soundtrack on Christmas Eve with a superb selection of music from her wonderful collection.

Christmas Day
10am – China Moses at Christmas - China introduces her favourite festive songs. 
2pm – Jamie Crick’s Christmas Day Requests – with listener requests plus those of Jazz FM presenters and special guests.
5pm – Claire Martin and Pete Long’s “Christmas Pudding” – two musical friends present a special stories and music.
7pm – Dinner Jazz with Gregory Porter – the worldwide jazz superstar presents a relaxing selection of special songs to complete Christmas Day.

Boxing Day
1pm – 2017’s All Winners – Chris Philips presents an hour of songs that Jazz FM has championed in 2017.
6pm – #Jazz100 – Monk.  A celebration of Thelonious Monk from Sarah Ward.

Wednesday 27th 
1pm – 2017’s All Winners – Chris Philips presents an hour of songs that Jazz FM has championed in 2017.
6pm – #Jazz100 – Ella.  A chance to hear the listener voted top 10 Ella Fitzgerald songs from earlier this year, hosted by Laura Mvula.

Thursday 28th
1pm – 2017’s All Winners – Chris Philips presents an hour of songs that Jazz FM has championed in 2017.
6pm – #Jazz100 – Buddy.  Buddy Rich fan and drummer Ollie Howell presents an hour in honour of the world’s greatest jazz drummer.

Friday 29th
1pm – 2017’s All Winners – Chris Philips presents an hour of songs that Jazz FM has championed in 2017.
6pm – #Jazz100 – Dizzy.  British trumpeter Quentin Collins brings to a close our series of artist centenaries with a personal tribute to trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie.

Sunday 31st
4pm – Ronnie Scott’s Radio Show – review of 2017 hosted by Ian Shaw.
5pm – David Freeman’s Blues & Boogie - David goes big on boogie woogie as we start our New Year’s Eve musical celebrations.
7pm – Emily Saunders’ Latin Selection – Emily presents a rhythmic selection of Latin tunes to get the party going.
10pm – Marcus Miller’s New Year’s Eve – Grammy winning jazz bassist says goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018 with a party selection of jazz funk and soul.
1am – Anne Frankenstein’s After Show – The party continues.
4am – Musica Macondo New Year – A special version of Tim Garcia’s show wraps up our new year party offerings.

Sunday 1st
10am – Jeff Young’s Quiet Storm special – Alka-Seltzers at the ready with Jeff Young soothing you into 2018.