Jazz FM to spotlight Birmingham jazz scene in special broadcast from B:Music venue Symphony Hall
/ News 17 Aug 2021News Story
Jazz FM have today announced that they will be broadcasting a special show later this month from B:Music venue Symphony Hall to celebrate the return of live jazz music to the world-famous venue and the rich and diverse talent of the city’s jazz scene. The return of the eagerly anticipated Jazzlines Summer School, after its absence last year due to Covid-19, and the first ever week-long B:Jazz Fest will both feature in the programme.
Jazz FM’s host Nigel Williams will broadcast his Saturday Show direct from Symphony Hall on Saturday 28 August and will feature a number of interviews and performances from musicians and summer school participants. The show will be the culmination of a week of live jazz performances and music-making at Symphony Hall, as for the first-time ever the Summer School is run in conjunction with the B:Jazz Fest, in partnership with Jazz FM.
Projects such as the annual Summer School are part of a range of talent development initiatives from the Birmingham-based music charity, supporting and inspiring the next generation of the city’s musical talent. B:Music’s Jazzlines programme boasts an alumni including Jazz FM Awards 2020 Breakthrough Act of The Year winner Xhosa Cole and the singer, songwriter and pianist, best known for his ongoing collaborations with Sam Smith, Reuben James – both of whom are directly involved with this year’s Summer School and festival of jazz music.
I remember in the Jazzlines Summer School of 2015 I was undecided between the classical saxophone and the jazz saxophone. It was one conversation with Percy Pursglove (professional trumpet and bass player and Jazzlines Summer School leader) on that summer school which tilted the scales. When Percy tells you to do the jazz course, you do the jazz course – and my music and my life would probably be totally different if I’d chosen the classical. These courses and workshops have had a massive impact. It’s the small decisions and getting involved with things that at the time might not seem like the biggest deal but you look back and think ‘without that, who knows where I would be now?Xhosa Cole, Jazz FM Awards 2020 Breakthrough Act of The Year winner and tutor at this year’s Summer Schoo
Jazz FM have been huge supporters of B:Music’s jazz and talent development programme and I’m thrilled that they will be joining us in Birmingham to celebrate the incredible talent of this city later this month. Music we commissioned from black Birmingham jazz artists on the theme of racism premiered on their station last year and now young musicians taking part in this year’s Summer School at Symphony Hall will have the opportunity to be part of the stations national broadcast. I can’t wait to hear the best of Brum on the airwaves!Anita Bhalla OBE, Chair of B:Music’s Board
Nigel Williams’ Saturday Show is a four-hour programme which will feature the music of some of the best British jazz talent performing on stage at B:Music venue Symphony Hall, for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. The show will be broadcast from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 28 August on Jazz FM. It will be available to listen to online for a month after the broadcast.
B:Jazz Fest and the Jazzlines Summer School are run in partnership with Jazz FM, the largest commercial jazz station in the world and a passionate supporter of UK jazz education. In Jazz FM Breakfast with Nigel Williams, Nigel will introduce some spectacular performances from Birmingham from artists including the Camilla George Quartet, Romarna Campbell, Yazz Ahmed, Young Pilgrims, Xhosa Cole and Reuben James.
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with B:Music to bring a fantastic array of talented artists to Jazz FM. Listeners will get the chance to hear performances from some of the best jazz musicians in the country at a time when they are emotional, thankful and excited to be performing in live music venues again. This looks like it’s going to be a fantastic celebration of Birmingham’s young and vibrant jazz scene, especially after nearly 18 months of lockdowns. Jazz FM has always been a passionate supporter of UK jazz education, and we are delighted to work with the brilliant B:Music to help spread the good word on this project and broadcast this show from Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on our nationwide platform.Jazz FM’s Content Director Nick Pitts
B:Jazz Fest, in partnership with Jazz FM, runs at Symphony Hall from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 August. Free and low-cost tickets are available for all performances as part of the festival.
B:Music’s Jazzlines Summer School is very kindly supported by PRS Foundation, Arts Council England, George Henry Collins Charity, Grantham Yorke Trust, Michael Marsh Charitable Trust and Ronnie Scott’s Charitable Foundation as Talent Development Partners, supporting and inspiring the next generation of the city’s musical talent.
