Radio station Jazz FM is to broadcast a special show from Westside’s Symphony Hall to celebrate the return of live jazz music to the world-famous venue.
Jazz FM’s host Nigel Williams will broadcast his Saturday Show direct from the B:Music venue in Birmingham on Saturday 28 August.
The show, which will feature interviews and performances, will be the culmination of a week of live jazz performances and music-making at Symphony Hall.
For the first time, the B:Jazz Fest, in partnership with Jazz FM, is being run in conjunction with the Jazzlines Summer School.
The Jazzlines programme boasts an alumni including Jazz FM Awards 2020 Breakthrough Act of The Year winner Xhosa Cole and singer, songwriter and pianist Reuben James.
Anita Bhalla, chair of B:Music’s Board, said: “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.
“Young musicians taking part in this year’s Summer School at Symphony Hall will have the opportunity to be part of the station’s national broadcast. I can’t wait to hear the best of Brum on the airwaves!”
Nigel Williams’ Saturday Show runs from 10am to 2pm and will feature the music of some of the best British jazz talent performing on stage at B:Music venue Symphony Hall. The show will then be available to listen to online for a month after the broadcast.
Jazz FM’s content director Nick Pitts said: “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.”
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “Westside is buzzing with jazz! First we’ve had the live Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival, and now Jazz FM is highlighting yet more talent in Symphony Hall.
“It’s great that yet more jazz is playing right here in Westside, in the heart of Birmingham!”
▪ 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 at bmusic.co.uk/jazz-fest
Picture: Xhosa Cole performing at Symphony Hall. Image by Iza Korsak
ENDS
