TheJazz
Encyclopedia
theJazz was a British
commercial
jazz
digital radio station
. The station was run by GCap Media
and launched on Christmas Day 2006. originally as a non-stop jazz station on the Digital One
DAB ensemble
, Sky Digital
, Virgin Media
and the Internet
.
The station played jazz, including bebop
, blues
, traditional and modern jazz. GCap stated in its press release
that the station "will do for jazz what Classic FM
has done for classical music
, in making the genre accessible to a UK-wide audience". The station stopped broadcasting on March 31, 2008 on DAB. theJazz was broadcasting a generic
automated
two hour loop on Sky, Virgin Media and online without DJ's
. This was closed down and removed from Sky and Virgin Media on the 3rd of November. Chill
has now relaunched on Digital TV using theJazz old channel numbers on both Sky and Virgin Media.
, Ofcom
allowed a variation of the Digital One licence to replace the requirement of a easy listening
station to a classic and contemporary jazz requirement. On September 19, 2006 GCap formally released a press statement announcing the launch of a new national radio station before 2007.
theJazz started test transmissions on all the platforms it would broadcast on in December 2006. The test transmissions compromised of Lindos Electronics
test tones and an announcement of the forthcoming launch. From the commencement of broadcast to December 2007 it broadcast on DAB at a bit rate of 96 kbit/s in mono. From December 2007 this was increased to 128 kbit/s in joint stereo.
On April 6, 2007 the station started presenter-led programming. At 09:00, Darren Henley, managing director of Classic FM, formally opened theJazz. Helen Mayhew
was the first voice heard on theJazz, introducing theJazz 500, a chart of jazz tracks voted for by the listeners to the station. Other presenters on theJazz include Margherita Taylor
, Jamie Cullum
, David Jensen
, Mike Chadwick, Anthony Davis
, Digby Fairweather
, Jacqui Dankworth
and Courtney Pine
.
On 11 February 2008 GCap Media
announced that unless a buyer is found, theJazz (along with sister station Planet Rock) will close at the end of March 2008. To compensate for the closure, Classic FM broadcast a nightly jazz programme between midnight and 2am , but this ceased in late September 2008 without warning. It is assumed by some observers of the industry that this is because of the impending re-launch of Jazz FM
as a DAB/satellite service (though not by Classic FM's current owners), on October 6th 2008. GCap is also planning to sell its share in the DAB Digital One multiplex to Arqiva
..
theJazz stopped broadcasting at midnight, March 31, 2008 on DAB. The last song to be broadcast in its entirety was 'Don't Worry, Be Happy
' by Bobby McFerrin
(though this was followed by the beginning of 'Tally Ho' by Don Byron
).
s, live concerts and downloads. GCap have also set up a MySpace
profile for theJazz to promote the station in the same way that it has done for sister stations such as Planet Rock, Chill
and Core
. On August 1, 2007, the website was relaunched as part of this expansion.
which will allow theJazz to launch its own record label. The label will publish various jazz albums under theJazz name.
stores across the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
commercial
Radio commercial
Commercial radio stations make most of their revenue selling “airtime” to advertisers. Of total media expenditures, radio accounts for 6.9%. Radio advertisements or “spots” are available when a business or service provides valuable consideration, usually cash, in exchange for the station airing...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
digital radio station
Digital radio in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the roll-out of digital radio is proceeding since test transmissions were started by the BBC in 1990. The UK currently has the world's biggest digital radio network, with 103 transmitters, two national DAB ensembles and 48 local and regional DAB ensembles...
. The station was run by GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
and launched on Christmas Day 2006. originally as a non-stop jazz station on the Digital One
Digital One
Digital One is a national commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, owned by Arqiva. , the multiplex covers more than 90% of the populationfrom a total of 137 transmitters...
DAB ensemble
DAB ensemble
DAB ensembles are groups of Digital audio broadcasting broadcasters transmitting multiple digital radio channels on a single radio transmission....
, Sky Digital
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
, Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
and the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
The station played jazz, including bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, traditional and modern jazz. GCap stated in its press release
News release
A press release, news release, media release, press statement or video release is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something ostensibly newsworthy...
that the station "will do for jazz what Classic FM
Classic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
has done for classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, in making the genre accessible to a UK-wide audience". The station stopped broadcasting on March 31, 2008 on DAB. theJazz was broadcasting a generic
Generic brand
Generic brands of consumer products are distinguished by the absence of a brand name. It is often inaccurate to describe these products as "lacking a brand name", as they usually are branded, albeit with either the brand of the store in which they are sold or a lesser-known brand name which may...
automated
Broadcast automation
Broadcast automation incorporates the use of broadcast programming technology to automate broadcasting operations. Used either at a broadcast network, radio station or a television station, it can run a facility in the absence of a human operator...
two hour loop on Sky, Virgin Media and online without DJ's
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
. This was closed down and removed from Sky and Virgin Media on the 3rd of November. Chill
Chill (radio station)
Chill is a British digital radio station dedicated to chill out, ambient and trip-hop music.-The station:Chill is broadcast on DAB in London and Birmingham, across the UK on Sky channel 0177 and also online. The station's aim is to help listeners relax. It is owned by Global Radio...
has now relaunched on Digital TV using theJazz old channel numbers on both Sky and Virgin Media.
History
After the closure of PrimeTime RadioPrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio was a national UK radio station. It was once part of although it became independent in 2004. It operated as a sister station to Saga Digital radio. The line up featured a variety of presenters including David Hamilton, Don Durbridge, David Allan, Dave Cash, Tony Myatt and Sheila...
, Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
allowed a variation of the Digital One licence to replace the requirement of a easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
station to a classic and contemporary jazz requirement. On September 19, 2006 GCap formally released a press statement announcing the launch of a new national radio station before 2007.
theJazz started test transmissions on all the platforms it would broadcast on in December 2006. The test transmissions compromised of Lindos Electronics
Lindos Electronics
Lindos Electronics is a British manufacturer of test equipment for audio quality measurement.Founded in 1979, by Peter J Skirrow, the business was named after the home where development and manufacture began, as is so often the case, in garage and spare rooms...
test tones and an announcement of the forthcoming launch. From the commencement of broadcast to December 2007 it broadcast on DAB at a bit rate of 96 kbit/s in mono. From December 2007 this was increased to 128 kbit/s in joint stereo.
On April 6, 2007 the station started presenter-led programming. At 09:00, Darren Henley, managing director of Classic FM, formally opened theJazz. Helen Mayhew
Helen Mayhew
Helen Mayhew is a British radio presenter and producer, specialising in jazz music. Mayhew started with the BBC, and then moved to 102.2 Jazz FM at its launch, then rejoined the BBC where she presented her own weekly show, and finally returned to the relaunched Jazz FM...
was the first voice heard on theJazz, introducing theJazz 500, a chart of jazz tracks voted for by the listeners to the station. Other presenters on theJazz include Margherita Taylor
Margherita Taylor
Margherita Taylor is a British broadcaster, TV and radio presenter.Taylor studied media and communications at the University of Central England, majoring in video production for her degree. She found fame in 1993 when Birmingham based radio station BRMB offered her a slot as a DJ as part of a...
, Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Though he is primarily a vocalist/pianist he also accompanies himself on other instruments including guitar and drums. Since April 2010, he has been presenting a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on Tuesdays from 19:00.- Early...
, David Jensen
David Jensen
David "Kid" Jensen , is a Danish Canadian-born, British radio DJ.-Early career:Born in a Danish family residing Victoria, British Columbia, Jensen began his career in his home country at the age of sixteen playing jazz and classical music. He then joined Radio Luxembourg at the age of eighteen in...
, Mike Chadwick, Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis (comedian)
Anthony Davis is a broadcaster, journalist and entertainer. He first appeared in BBC sitcoms and drama such as Grange Hill and Tricky Business in the 1980s as a child performer, earning him a place in the Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy.Since childhood Davis' talents encompassed music, magic,...
, Digby Fairweather
Digby Fairweather
Digby Fairweather is a British jazz cornettist and broadcaster.-Biography:Fairweather has been a professional jazz musician since 1 January 1977, but worked for seven years previously with several local jazz bands in the Essex area and recorded his first album in 1975...
, Jacqui Dankworth
Jacqui Dankworth
Jacqui Dankworth is a British jazz singer. She is the daughter of the jazz musician, arranger and composer Sir John Dankworth and the singer Dame Cleo Laine.-Career:...
and Courtney Pine
Courtney Pine
Courtney Pine CBE is an English jazz musician. At school he studied the clarinet, although he is known primarily for his saxophone playing. Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the flute, clarinet, bass Clarinet and keyboards...
.
On 11 February 2008 GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
announced that unless a buyer is found, theJazz (along with sister station Planet Rock) will close at the end of March 2008. To compensate for the closure, Classic FM broadcast a nightly jazz programme between midnight and 2am , but this ceased in late September 2008 without warning. It is assumed by some observers of the industry that this is because of the impending re-launch of Jazz FM
Jazz FM
Jazz FM may refer to:*Jazz FM , a digital jazz radio station in the United Kingdom.*102.2 Jazz FM, a defunct radio station based in London, England.*100.4 Jazz FM, a defunct radio station based in Manchester, England....
as a DAB/satellite service (though not by Classic FM's current owners), on October 6th 2008. GCap is also planning to sell its share in the DAB Digital One multiplex to Arqiva
Arqiva
Arqiva is a telecommunications company which provides infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The present company, with headquarters located at Crawley Court in the village of Crawley, Hampshire, was formed by National Grid Wireless...
..
theJazz stopped broadcasting at midnight, March 31, 2008 on DAB. The last song to be broadcast in its entirety was 'Don't Worry, Be Happy
Don't Worry, Be Happy
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" is a song by musician Bobby McFerrin. Released in September 1988, it became the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it held for two weeks. On the UK Singles Chart, the song reached number 2 during its fifth week on the chart...
' by Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
(though this was followed by the beginning of 'Tally Ho' by Don Byron
Don Byron
Don Byron is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. He primarily plays clarinet, but has also used bass clarinet and saxophones....
).
Internet
GCap Media has also stated that the station will expand beyond radio in the services it offers, including podcastPodcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
s, live concerts and downloads. GCap have also set up a MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
profile for theJazz to promote the station in the same way that it has done for sister stations such as Planet Rock, Chill
Chill (radio station)
Chill is a British digital radio station dedicated to chill out, ambient and trip-hop music.-The station:Chill is broadcast on DAB in London and Birmingham, across the UK on Sky channel 0177 and also online. The station's aim is to help listeners relax. It is owned by Global Radio...
and Core
Core (radio station)
Core was a digital radio station broadcasting across the UK on the Digital One and streamed online. It was aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds with a focus on new music.-Station history:Core was originally owned by GWR Group, now GCap Media...
. On August 1, 2007, the website was relaunched as part of this expansion.
Record publishing
In April 2007, GCap announced that it had made a deal with Universal Classic and JazzUniversal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
which will allow theJazz to launch its own record label. The label will publish various jazz albums under theJazz name.
Other
PURE Digital and TheJazz launched a branded DAB digital radio receiver in 2007, sold exclusively in Marks & SpencerMarks & Spencer
Marks and Spencer plc is a British retailer headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products...
stores across the United Kingdom.
See also
- 102.2 Jazz FM102.2 Jazz FM102.2 Jazz FM was a local jazz and soul music station for London run by GMG Radio. The station was based and broadcast from Castlereagh Street in London to around 15.5 million people within the broadcasting area...
— An earlier UK jazz-only radio station which broadcast from 2002 until 2005 before being rebranded as 102.2 Smooth FM102.2 Smooth FM102.2 Smooth FM was an Independent Local Radio station for Greater London. It replaced 102.2 Jazz FM on the 7 June 2005 at 10am, with the help of R&B singer Lemar and the then breakfast show host Jon Scragg...
. It was owned by GMG RadioGMG RadioGMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
and had no connection with theJazz. However, many of the DJs and shows from Jazzfm102.2 Jazz FM102.2 Jazz FM was a local jazz and soul music station for London run by GMG Radio. The station was based and broadcast from Castlereagh Street in London to around 15.5 million people within the broadcasting area...
could be heard on theJazz.