There will be changes from 5th May to the jazz programming at BBC Radio 3.
– Alyn Shipton (above with Buck Clayton) will present Jazz Record Requests on Saturday afternoon. It will remain an in-house production.
– Geoffrey Smith will present a Saturday midnight programme in the current Jazz Library slot, Geoffrey’s Jazz, about which he says:
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue to share my passion for jazz from a more personal perspective.”
Stand by your beds for further announcements from Geoffrey Smith and Radio 3, because, from what I’ve heard, that’s all there is to know, as yet. Whether the new programme will have any budget for, eg, interviews and guests is also far from clear.
Jazz Journal have covered the story HERE. Jazzwise broke it with THIS on 20th March.
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Two excellent presenters but is the BBC just rearranging the deck chairs? Radio 3 is a natural home for jazz music and it should be made to feel more welcome, with more programming at audience friendly hours.
Alyn Shipton is a lovely man but JRR won't be the same without that “Hellooo” from the equally lovely Geoffrey Smith.And why does BBC 3 think jazz should be mostly confined to late at night? They have that classic old-fahioned attitude to jazz. If we can listen to Schubert all day long, why not Schunny Rollins?
Thanks for highlighting this. I missed the other announcements (this august organ being the main source these days! 🙂
The words “continued” and “marginalisation” spring to mind… sigh.
I am afraid that even jazz lovers have to sleep! Radio 3 seem obsessed with the idea that only insomniacs like jazz. Please can we have some more jazz on in the afternoon. I love JRR but will miss Geoffrey but look forward to his new show which I will listen to online after the event and not at midnight on a Saturday!
Geoffrey Smith…good-byyye.
Actually, does timing matter in a world where you can download and listen at any time via i-Player? Would also recommend Radio Downloader so you never forget to record a programme and can listen to it when you want, even after the ensuing week.
I liked the R3 jazz on Saturday afternoons. But no more. I will listen to Gilles Peterson's new show on BBC R6 instead; starting on April 7.
Just heard JRR at about 9.10. BBC always seem to prioritize other things over jazz – particularly opera – and shift or cancel it. Makes it difficult to set up the radio to record.
Just found that you have 2 articles (at least) article related to Jazz on BBC Radio3 and JRR, so at the risk of repeating myself I offer my comments, as follows:
“Time to re-engineer JRR? Give it broader appeal, give it a new title, but, of course, give it a stable, accessible slot on BBC Radio. Frankly, the name Jazz Record Requests has the fusty ring of the dark ages – it will be a turn-off to the majority of younger listeners – those under 45 years of age. Rethink the programme so that it will attract listeners from ages 10 to 90 plus, but don't make if the exclusive domain of the over 45s. Granted Geoffrey Smith is a fantastic presenter and there are few more knowledgeable and erudite in the BBC – same applies to Alyn Shipton. However, every other JRR programme had this listener reaching for the off switch. It was either focusued on early jazz or 'contemporary', rarely did the two meet in an acceptable combination – and frankly an over-rich diet of the former got my goatee. So, instead of being a comfortable fireside, pipe and slippers retreat, bring it up-to-date – make if more interactive – reach out to people who want to hear some of the great, current CDs (like the ones reviewed on London Jazz) as well as 'undiscovered' gems and obscure archive recordings and maybe make the programme 2 hours instead of one hour – perhaps two presenters and some knowledgeable chat between tracks, not just 'from Marge' for 'George' in Berkshire; it has the air of the dreadful old 'Radio 2' and frankly that is the kiss of death – if the jazz community want JRR requests to survive in any form it needs a complete rethink so that it becomes the permanent fixture and a flagship for the music in all its forms.”
I'd also add that the maintenance of an anachronistic programme format is the BBC's way of marginalising jazz and ensuring that the programme's appeal is to to a dwindling demographic, instead of refreshing its outlook and thinking about how to pull in new listeners. Similarly the changing of broadcasting times to less sociable hours with a slow drip pattern of changing the broadcasting times will guarantee a diminishing audience. This is broadcasting policy at its least engaged and most cynical.
I admit as I get older I appreciate “refresh” less and frankly don't care about the “younger audience”. I started listening to JRR when I was sixteen and it has remained one of the few BBC radio programmes I make time for. I loved listening to Peter Clayton and latterly Geoffrey Smith, for their wry comments, if nothing else. But in the end it's the music I love and I'll still listen to the new JRR and to GS' midnight slot. So, up yours BBC.