BBC jazz digital radio station to coincide with London festival

The BBC is set to become home to a pop-up digital jazz radio station which will feature shows presented by the likes of Jamie Cullum and Jez Nelson.

In collaboration with Jazz FM, and to coincide with the EFG London Jazz Festival, the station will bring together everything from the sounds of the big band, to the sounds of the 1980s.

Called BBC Music Jazz, it will run from 2pm on November 12 until midnight on November 15.

Listeners will be able to tune in on digital radio, online in the UK, and globally via the BBC iPlayer radio app. It will also be available on demand for 30 days.

Among the highlights will be Jazz FM's rare archive coverage of Ella Fitzgerald in concert from the 1990s.

BBC Radio 3's Geoffrey Smith with special guest and Jazz FM presenter Helen Mayhew will present the 50 Greatest Jazz Artists.

Under current plans, Jamie Cullum will open proceedings with a celebration of live performance.

Meanwhile, Clare Teal is to present a special Clare Teal Xtra focussing on Big Band after her Radio 2 show and Sara Cox will present a programme on Jazz Sounds of the 1980s.

BBC Radio 3 will simulcast their live coverage of the EFG London Jazz Festival from Alyn Shipton's live Jazz Record Requests through to the opening concerts at the Barbican and the Jez Nelson fronted Ronnie Scott's gig for Jazz on 3.

James Stirling, BBC music editor, said: "I'm really pleased that we're able to showcase the wide range of Jazz content available across the BBC and through working with Jazz FM, some rare archive.

"BBC Music Jazz will offer jazz fans and beginners alike something truly unique this autumn and demonstrates the power of BBC Music to bring audiences closer to the music they love."

The EFG London Jazz Festival takes place every year in November and brings together jazz musicians from around the world to take part in the capital's biggest pan-city music festival.