While jazz has millions of fans worldwide, and there are hundreds of jazz stations and websites out there, still many artists and types of jazz get overlooked. We've focused on some true gems that come under the title "jazzy", both artists and genres, all which we feel epitomise real quality, and which deserve as much exposure as possible so that perhaps a new audience can share in some of these musical delights.
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PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
Category: Light & Easy | Jazzy
A high quality collection of gems from the late 30s and early 40s. The perfect introduction to the music from this era, featuring a lovely blend of early jazz, dance bands and classic vocalists.
AL JARREAU
Category: Jazzy Tunes
Al Jarreau warrants a listing in most categories on this site, but his incredible scat vocal talents mean that he rests most naturally in our Jazzy category. Still producing outstanding albums today, he is one of the greatest living singers.
BIG BAND
Category: Jazzy Tunes
We worry that there is so little Big Band music to be heard on air these days, but for generations the great bands were at the heart of the music industry. Sadly, their true craft is often misrepresented and misunderstood these days.
DANCE BANDS
Category: Jazzy Tunes
The dance band era that preceded the big bands still has much to offer, as the music of the great bands and the prolific singers has aged like a fine wine. Yet we hear so little on today's radio. Why does it have to be this way, we wonder?
GEORGE DUKE
Category: Jazzy Tunes
George Duke deserves a listing here as one of the jazz musicians who helped create a genre: jazz funk. A fantastic musician who has innovated and developed his craft over several decades.
JUMP JIVE
Category: Jazzy Tunes
If jump jive was at the heart of more clubs and parties we're sure the world would be a happier place! Another genre that is unfairly regarded as "specialist music", but it's no more so than Sixties soul and surely deserves a wider audience?
RALPH SHARON
Category: Jazzy Tunes
Ralph Sharon is one of the great unsung heroes of British popular music. He was musical director and accompanist to Buddy Rich, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Carmen McCrae, Peggy Lee and most famously Tony Bennett. A truly sensational artist!
ALAN DELL
Broadcaster and producer
Alan Dell kept Big Band and Dance Band music alive through the 70's and 80's with his Radio 2 shows. His broad knowledge of music and broadcasting finesse are very much missed.
HUMPHREY LYTTELTON
Jazz man and broadcaster
Humphrey Lyttelton has been presenting The Best of Jazz on Radio 2 for an incredible 40 years! A fine trumpeter, he continues to pioneer the cause of traditional and contemporary jazz.
MALCOLM LAYCOCK
Broadcaster
Malcolm took the baton on Radio 2's Dance Band and Big Band shows when Alan Dell passed away, and has now made the slot his own. He has the rare ability of making listeners feel he is talking to each one individually.
SHEILA TRACEY
Musician and broadcaster
Sheila Tracey is a fine trombonist who became one of the country's finest broadcasters. One of Radio 2's favourites, sadly we no longer have the privilege to hear her lovely voice on the network, which is a great loss to lovers of good radio!
DEWI GRIFFITHS
BBC Radio Wales, A String of Pearls
As the name suggests, "A String Of Pearls" provides a fabulous mix of music including lots of big band classics, plus a wealth of information too. A truly classy show for lovers of this kind of music.
HUMPHREY LYTTELTON
BBC Radio 2, Best of Jazz
Humphrey Lyttelton has been presenting the Best of Jazz since 1967, featuring all kinds of jazz. He continues to do so for 6 months of each year.
MALCOLM LAYCOCK
BBC Radio 2, Dance Band Days and Big Band Sounds
Malcolm's show remains one of the most informative and enjoyable shows for lovers of the great days of the dance bands and the big bands. Why, oh BBC, is this on late on a Sunday night?
PAUL BARNES
BBC Radio Norfolk
Paul's show is another one that demonstrates the wealth of good music that BBC local radio offers. Features a fantastic mix of great music, with plenty of classic and jazzy vocalists on offer too.
Station: MUSIC OF YOUR LIFE
Internet and US radio station
The Americans lead the way in radio featuring great classic jazz bands with this fantastic US networked station. Feature the very best bands, and also some of America's all time great broadcasters.
Station: THE JAZZ
Internet and digital radio station
Now that London't Jazz FM has gone smooth, we have a national digital radio statio dedicated to the genre. It does feel a bit like Jazz FM of old, perhaps a tad "mainstream" but still a step in the right direction for the genre.
BIG BAND & BIG NAMES site
Amazing big band resource
Our favourite big band jazz site, clearly run individuals who know their music. Lots of reviews, pictures and other features for enthusiasts - take a look for yourself at the link below now:
If you would like to talk about anything jazzy, suggest an artist we should feature, correct any mistakes or come on board as one of our musical editors, then visit our "Talk" section now.
You can also post all your comments, read other articles, and have your say on the state of today's music in our interactive talk site.
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