A few years ago I had an idea for a show because sometimes I play some heavy jazz on my regular show and I feel I might be pushing it a little too far.
That got me thinking about whether people actually like jazz or just pretend they do, and for people who don’t, or who say they don’t, how can you break down what it is and help people find their way into it?
Does that even make sense?
Well, it did to me, and my idea was find some of my favourite musicians and DJ’s, all passionate about lots of forms of music, but who are, how could I put it, Jazz sensitive? Get those people to talk to me about how they got into jazz and if there was a specific tune that spoke to them, a gateway drug if you like, then I’d play that tune and maybe that could be your gateway into jazz too.
There is also an event called International Jazz Day that happens in the spring every year, with the legend Herbie Hancock being its most notable patron, and this show earned me a letter from him, which blew my mind a bit…
I did have plans to do another one, and my first port of call was Herbie himself, but that conversation with his agent faltered and other thigns came along, but I’m really proud of this show, the line up I managed to get on it (trying not to fan boy with Shabaka too much)
Maybe I’ll do another one, one day. I’d be keen to know what you think, and if there is any tunes you particularly like (or don’t like) Let me know. Cx
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