100 years to the day since Britain declared war on Germany, Jazz on 3 broadcasts 'Picardie', Kate and Mike Westbrook's reflection on the First World War.

Scored for jazz ensemble and chamber orchestra, the piece weaves together texts by British and French poets, which Kate and Mike introduce here.

Listen to the full piece on Monday 4 August on BBC Radio 3 from 11pm, or on iPlayer for 28 days afterwards: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04cfb60

More about the piece and the lyrics is at http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/picardie/index.shtml

Kate & Mike Westbrook introduce 'Picardie' [04.08.14]

Dutch trio Tin Men and the Telephone are past masters at using voice samples as the basis for their music, featuring everything from cows to football commentators. This time a selection of Jazz on 3 listeners get the treatment. We asked our audience what jazz should sound like in 2014, recorded some of their replies and passed them on to the band to create a brand new piece which they performed at the Manchester Jazz Festival. Here are the results!

The track is also being broadcast on Jazz on 3 on Monday 4 August at 11pm on BBC Radio 3, and is available on iPlayer for 28 days afterwards http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04cfb60

Tin Men and the Telephone feat. Jazz on 3 listeners: what should jazz sound like in 2014? [04.08.14]

US pianist Marc Cary has recorded with everyone from Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu to Abbey Lincoln and Dizzy Gillespie. At this year's Jazzahead showcase in Bremen, Jez Nelson spoke to him about some of his influences, including the go-go beat of his native Washington DC.

You can hear the rest of the interview, plus live music from Marc Cary's Focus Trio and other highlights from Jazzahead, on Jazz on 3, on BBC Radio 3 at 11pm on Monday 25th August, or for 7 days after broadcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8p0f

Marc Cary on the origins of go-go [25.08.14]

Jazz-rock outfit Led Bib recently celebrated their ten year anniversary with a residency at the Vortex in London. Jez Nelson caught up with drummer/bandleader Mark Holub and saxophonists Pete Grogan and Chris Williams to pose burning questions from the fans. 

You can hear the full interview and live music from Led Bib on Jazz on 3, on BBC Radio 3, at 11pm on Monday 9th February, or for 30 days after broadcast: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04g153j

Led Bib: If you weren't musicians in a band, what would you be doing? [01.09.14]

Trumpeter Dave Douglas and pianist Uri Caine discuss their relationship with Sacred Harp music – New England's rich church-song tradition and the inspiration behind their first ever duo project, Present Joys. 

You can hear Dave Douglas and Uri Caine in concert on Jazz on 3, on BBC Radio 3, at 11pm on Monday 15th September, or for 7 days after broadcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04h7n4x

Dave Douglas and Uri Caine on their relationship with Sacred Harp music

Jazz on 3 Archive interview with the groundbreaking double bass player Charlie Haden, who died in July 2014.

Haden is best-known for his work with the Ornette Coleman Quartet, playing on the landmark album The Shape of Jazz To Come of 1959. His long and eventful career saw him play politically charged music with his Liberation Orchestra as well as spellbinding duos with Alice Coltrane, Pat Metheny and Keith Jarrett among many others.

Jazz on 3 recorded Haden with his Quartet West at the London Jazz Festival in 2007 when he also gave us this interview. Posted here in long format, Haden tells Kevin Le Gendre about the first time he met Ornette, getting arrested in Portugal and his love of film noir. Highlights of the interview, together with the live concert, were aired on BBC Radio 3 at 11pm on Monday 22nd September, and can be heard for 7 days after the broadcast at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04hympj

Kevin Le Gendre interviews Charlie Haden [22.09.14]

Jazz on 3 Archive interview with the groundbreaking double bass player Charlie Haden, who died in July 2014.

Haden is best-known for his work with the Ornette Coleman Quartet, playing on the landmark album The Shape of Jazz To Come of 1959. His long and eventful career also saw him play politically charged music with his Liberation Music Orchestra as well as spellbinding duos with Alice Coltrane, Pat Metheny and Keith Jarrett among many others. Credited with helping to bring the bass out from behind the jazz ensemble, he is remembered for a warm, singing bass tone and unerring ability to play the 'right' notes in diverse contexts.

Jazz on 3 recorded Haden with his longstanding Quartet West at the London Jazz Festival in 2007 when he also gave us this interview. Posted here in long format, Haden tells Kevin Le Gendre about the first time he met Ornette, getting arrested in Portugal and his love of film noir.

Highlights of the interview, together with the live concert, were aired on BBC Radio 3 at 11pm on Monday 22nd September, and can be heard for 7 days after the broadcast at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04hympj

Kevin Le Gendre interviews Charlie Haden

A clip from Jazz on 3 where John Fordham and Nick Smart remember trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler who sadly passed away just over a week ago, aged 84.

Originally from Toronto, Kenny Wheeler moved to the UK in his early twenties and over the course of a half-decade became one of the most cherished musicians on the British scene. His trademark composition style and haunting horn sound inspired a generation - making his mark through projects ranging from free improvisation with Anthony Braxton, to Azimuth with John Taylor and Norma Winstone, to his famed big band work and recordings for ECM.

John Fordham and Nick Smart join Jez Nelson in the studio to celebrate Kenny Wheeler's life and music, revisiting a number of archive live performances recorded by the BBC over the years. Plus, we hear from many of Wheeler's musical colleagues who join in paying their tributes. Listen live on Monday 29 September 2014 at 11pm, or for 7 days after the broadcast:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04l3xgq


Presenter: Jez Nelson
Producer: Joby Waldman

When John Fordham met Kenny Wheeler [29.09.14]

An exclusive bonus track from Jazz on 3's programme celebrating Evan Parker's 70th and John Butcher's 60th birthdays. Here the pair perform an improvised duo in the studio.  

You can listen again to the full programme, including interviews and individual sessions from both saxophonists for 30 days on BBC iPlayer: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04lprx0

Evan Parker and John Butcher – Two Part Contention [20.10.14]

50 years ago, a group of South African musicians fled apartheid and came to Europe. Their influence on British jazz was profound and continues to this day. Some of those who have felt its impact most keenly tell the story.

This was originally broadcast on Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on 14th November 2014. The programme includes a performance by some of the musicians featured here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04p256w

The impact of the Blue Notes on British jazz [14.11.14]

In duo Food, percussionist Thomas Strønen creates atmospheric improvised soundscapes alongside saxophonist Iain Ballamy. Strønen's array of bells, gongs, samples and electronic effects gives him a rich palette to work with - and here he is to introduce you to it.

Listen to Food in performance on Jazz on 3 on Monday 26 January on BBC Radio 3, or online for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0505zfv

Photo (c) Dannie Price

Thomas Strønen introduces his percussion soundworld [26.01.14]

Jez Nelson presents a documentary on one of jazz's most sacred recordings – saxophonist John Coltrane's masterpiece, A Love Supreme. This programme was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004 and features interviews with Elvin Jones, Ashley Kahn, McCoy Tyner, Steve Reich and Alice Coltrane. 

//

This week on Jazz on 3 the Enlightenment Ensemble perform their own dedication to A Love Supreme, marking 50 years since the album's original release. Hear the performance on Monday 2 February at 11pm on BBC Radio 3, or online for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b050xkb1



DOCUMENTARY: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (Broadcast 2004)

Pianists Robert Glasper and Jason Moran performed together at the 2014 EFG London Jazz Festival to celebrate 75 years of Blue Note records. Before the gig we put them to the MP3 Shuffle test, delving into their MP3 players at random to find out what makes them tick.

Drake was one of the artists to come up, sparking a conversation about the importance of vocalists to both musicians. 

You can hear the full interview, and the performance itself, on BBC Radio 3's Jazz on 3 on Monday 16th February at 11pm or online for 30 days afterwards http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052gvym

Photo (c) Emile Holba

Jason Moran & Robert Glasper on the importance of vocalists [16.02.14]

Miles Davis's 1980s music has fared much less well than his earlier work. Is this a fair cop or should we pay it more attention? Jez Nelson is joined by music journalists John Fordham and Chris May to chew the fat.

One of Miles's greatest protegés of this period was the saxophonist Kenny Garrett. You can hear him in performance with his quintet on BBC Radio 3's Jazz on 3 here for 30 days after broadcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052058z

Was Miles Davis's 1980s music any good? [17.03.2015]

Record label Strata-East has a cult following among jazz die-hards and DJs. Gilles Peterson is one of its biggest fans and collectors and - ahead of a gig celebrating the label - he brought some of his favourite Strata-East LPs into the Jazz on 3 studio to show what all the fuss is about.

Listen to the full programme, including the concert, on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 30th March 2015, or listen online for 30 day after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05nsdwf





Gilles Peterson on the legacy of Strata-East [30.03.15]

US saxophonist Joe Lovano speaks with Kevin Le Gendre and recalls a meeting with afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti that changed his musical outlook.

You can hear Joe Lovano's Village Rhythms band, inspired by his meeting with Fela Kuti, on Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 25th May 2015 and for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w7tf7

Photo (c) Ben Amure

When Joe Lovano met Fela Kuti [25.05.15]

Don't be put off by complex titles and high-concept pieces – musicians and critics explain why Anthony Braxton, who turns 70 this month, is one of the most influential avant-garde composers of our time. Featuring Daniel Spicer, Taylor Ho Bynum, Mary Halvorson, Alexander Hawkins and Mike Walker.

bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazzon3

5 reasons not to be scared of Anthony Braxton [01.06.15]

Singer Neneh Cherry reflects on her early memories of Ornette Coleman and his friendship with her stepfather Don Cherry.

Part of a special tribute show to Ornette Coleman on Jazz on 3: listen on BBC Radio 3 at 11pm BST on Monday 22 June 2015, or online for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060psvn

Neneh Cherry pays tribute to Ornette Coleman [22.06.15]

'I knew nothing - I mean NOTHING' - pianist Paul Bley, a giant of avant-garde music himself, remembers being roasted by new musical partners Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry when they played together on the Live at Hillcrest recording in 1958.

Listen to the full Ornette Coleman tribute programme on Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 22 June 2015 at 11pm BST, or online for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060psvn

Paul Bley on being upstaged by Ornette Coleman [22.06.15]

Dee Dee Bridgewater tries to get her head round the vocal gymnastics of Swiss singer Andreas Schaerer.

Dee Dee curated a vocal highlights show of live music taken from the Jazz on 3 archives, featuring Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling, Cassandra Wilson and some more leftfield selections, including Andreas.

Listen to the programme on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 29th June at 11pm BST or for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060z9vt

'He can make his tongue go really fast': Dee Dee Bridgewater on Andreas Schaerer [29.06.15]

In the latest in her series, trombonist Sarah Gail Brand talks to British improvising drummer Steve Noble about his music.

Originally broadcast on Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 27 July 2015, available online for 30 days after broadcast http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b063dh36

Unsung heroes: Steve Noble [27.07.15]

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington has been one of the big new names to emerge in 2015, from one of the US's least-covered jazz scenes - Los Angeles. Alongside his album launch gig on Jazz on 3, Kamasi attempts to pin down what it is about the LA sound that makes it distinctive.

To hear more of Kamasi in conversation with Jez Nelson, and over an hour of his all-guns-blazing performance, listen to Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 7 September 2015, also available online for 30 days after broadcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lqbxn

Kamasi Washington on the sound of the LA scene [07.09.15]

Russian jazz musician Arkady Schilkloper is a man of many horns - including the alphorn. Jez Nelson met him backstage at the Jazzahead event earlier this year for a chat and a demo.

For much more from this year's Jazzahead, including a performance by Arkady with pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, tune in to Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Monday 14 September 2015 or listen online internationally for 30 days after broadcast http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b069x6kw

Jez encounters an alp horn [14.09.15]

Pianist Liam Noble is the latest victim of our MP3 shuffle - putting his listening playlist on random and talking about whatever comes up. Here, the Japanese traditional music of Ensemble Nipponia sparks a conversation about jazz's relationship to other musics.

To hear the full shuffle, tune in to Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 at 11pm on Monday 26th October or stream/download for 30 days after broadcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06kb0fb

Liam Noble's MP3 Shuffle [26.10.15]

'I want to create a womb of experience, a sensory womb of experience that is comfortable but also uncomfortable.' 

Matana Roberts' latest installment of her epic Coin Coin project layers electronics, found sounds, voice and saxophone. She talks here about how family photos, the diary of a ship captain and ghosts and spirits come together in this immersive experience.

To hear her session for Jazz on 3, tune in to BBC Radio 3 on Monday 26 October at 11pm or stream/download for 30 days after broadcast http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06kb0fb


Photo copyright Jason Fulford

Matana Roberts introduces Coin Coin Chapter 3 [26.10.15]

'It sounded like I had dropped my tray of drinks': a rocky start, but Bonnie Greer's first experience of avant-garde music collective the AACM (the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians)got better...

Jazz on 3's AACM 50th anniversary celebration is available for 30 days here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mf1j3

Photo: copyright Jacky LePage www.jackylepage.com

Bonnie Greer on how the AACM changed her life [02.11.15]

From internal Becca Stevens monologues over breakfast, to headbanging to Wayne Shorter on the A1 - pianist Tom Cawley shares his audio diary of a typical day of musical encounters. 

Tom's trio Curios performs with saxophonist Iain Ballamy on Jazz on 3 on Monday 30 November, available stream for 30 days or download via the iPlayer Radio app. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06qjzx0

Tom Cawley: My Day in Music [30.11.15]

Abakuá: a secret Afro-Cuban society that has inspired David Virelles' brilliant Mboko project. The band's percussionist, Román Diaz, is a paid-up member and tells Kevin Le Gendre what it's all about - including an impromptu performance!

Listen to David Virelles' performance on Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3, at 11pm on Monday 14 December or for 30 days after broadcast here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rwlym

Román Diaz and David Virelles on the Afro-Cuban Abakuá tradition [14.12.15]

Audio treats from the team behind BBC Radio 3's Jazz on 3.

BBC Jazz on 3

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