Nigel Williams Jazz FM Saturday Podcast

Nigel plays out an old interview with Al Jarreau. Plus he speaks to Robert Glasper, Charenee Wade and Gregory Porter ahead of their confirmed appearances at Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2017.

The vocalist who is world famous for fronting Postmodern Jukebox plays a live session for us – Aubrey Logan is on the show. And another chance to hear Nigel’s conversation with the writer and director of La La Land (and Whiplash) – Damien Chazelle talks all things jazz and movies.

We have two live sessions this week – soul superstar OMAR plays tracks from his new album ‘Love in Beats’ and Australian vocalist Sarah McKenzie is here too.

We hear from José James about his new album and live project ‘Love In A Time Of Madness’ and a live session from vocal trio LaSharVu (LaDonna Peters, Sharlene Hector and Vula Malinga) – three women who have been on the UK jazz and soul scene for years, but now creating music together for the first time

Nigel has a chat with Macy Gray ahead of her UK dates in the spring - she tells us all about her new blues album ‘Stripped’ – recorded on just one microphone in an old abandoned New York church. Plus two British jazz legends in session together – Claire Martin and Jim Mullen, previewing the South Coast Jazz Festival, which starts this week.

Nigel has a live session from Lindsey Webster – soul star from Woodstock, New York. She’s over here playing some European dates this week. Plus Yana Bibb – the daughter of bluesman Eric Bibb. She talks about her heritage, some of the many places she’s lived and how that inspired her new album of jazz called ‘Afternoon in Paris’.

Nigel’s highlights from 2016 – some of the best guests and session from Saturday mornings through the year, including the likes of Will Downing, Angie Stone, Beverley Knight, Hiatus Kayote and many more.

It’s a festive feast as Nigel speaks to some of the star guests hosting programmes with us this Christmas, including Kurt Elling and Jocelyn Brown. Oz Clark gives us some tasting tips for nice wines to have, and Herbie Hancock speaks about taking off!

We speak to the man of the moment Damien Chazelle, who’s film ‘La La Land’ is hotly tipped for the Oscar’s. Chazelle also wrote and directed ‘Whiplash’ in 2014 so we’ll speak to him about that, and play songs from the soundtracks. Plus Natalie Williams is swinging by, she’s about to celebrate her 10th anniversary as resident singer at London’s Ronnie Scott’s.

Nigel had music and conversation from some of the GRAMMY runners and riders, including Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter, Snarky Puppy, Fantastic Negrito, Jacob Collier, Kurt Elling, William Bell, Joey Alexander and more

Jools Holland is here and playing songs from his new album ‘Piano’ live on the Jazz FM Yamaha. Plus vocalist and saxophonist Curtis Stigers drops by – he has a sold-out run of UK shows, and a live album to unveil recorded with the Danish Radio Big Band.

Our live guests this week are Maxi Jazz and the E-Type Boys. Maxi world famous for his work with Faithless of course, now steering towards a Blues sound with his new group. Strap in for something really special. And Laura Mvula speaks to us about her new album, current tour and recent snub by the MOBO awards.

The EFG London Jazz Festival continues – Carleen Anderson is live in session as she launches her new album. US Guitarist Charlie Hunter is here to play Ronnie Scott's and BONA FIDE LEGEND Wayne Shorter gives a rare interview ahead of his appearance on the closing night of the festival.

The EFG London Jazz Festival is underway – Nigel has a live session from US guitarist and vocalist Allan Harris, who is playing a number of free gigs across the city as part of ‘The Streets’ project. Plus we get to meet 13 year old piano star Joey Alexander from Indonesia – the youngest Grammy nominee in history. He’s already onto his second acclaimed album.

Nigel catches up with Mark Reilly who founded Matt Bianco in the 80's - hear what the band are up to now, plus we hear about a new movie which celebrates one of the great characters of the Newcastle jazz scene.

Nigel previews the forthcoming EFG London Jazz Festival with conversation and sessions from some of the starts due to visit - Ben Cox, Jacob Collier, Emily Saunders and Kandace Springs. #JazzLife!

Nigel has yet another live session in this edition of his Saturday Show podcast - Sarah Jane Morris and Antonio Forcione, while he's also in conversation with differing but brilliant vocalists - Carmen Lundy and Jocelyn Brown!

Nigel has yet another live session from a world class performer – Will Downing will be here to play live from his new album – ‘Black Pearls’ pays tribute to some of the greatest women in R&B. Plus a preview of the forthcoming Cambridge Jazz Festival with organiser Gavin Spence and performer Tom O’Grady from funk outfit Resolution 88.

Nigel has a session from Madeleine Peyroux – she talks about her new album ‘Secular Hymns’ and plays live in the studio. Plus another chance to hear from Charenee Wade – the acclaimed vocalist from the states who channels the music of Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson for her album, hear the stories behind that, and a preview of what’s in store when she’s in the UK later this month.

Nigel welcomes Kurt Elling onto the Saturday show – he’s been so busy lately with a number of album releases this year, and a special Christmas release in the pipeline. Plus we hear from Bristolian saxophonist James Morton who has recruited some huge names to create one of the funkiest albums of the year!

Nigel speaks to vocal legend Aaron Neville from his US tour – the great man is celebrating 50 years in the music industry, and tells Nigel all about his new album Apache. PLUS another world-class musician live in session… blues man Fantastic Negrito talks about his former life of crime, American politics, history and so much more.

A celebration of vocal talent this week with British stars Joe Stilgoe (son of Richard) and Claire Martin OBE. Plus we have an amazing live session from Danish performer Sinne Eeg who is over in London for a Danish Jazz Festival this week.

We’re getting FUNKY this weekend with some legends in the game… Nigel chats to Bluey who’s led the band Incognito for over 35 years. He tells us about the new album ‘In Search of Better Days’ and previews their run at Ronnie Scott’s next week. Plus Debbie Sledge of Sister Sledge tells us about her journey from disco to soul to jazz singing!

We hear from 7-string guitar legend Charlie Hunter who is back in the UK soon, and tells us about his acclaimed new album which is (honestly) called ‘Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth’. Plus in the week that we lost Gene Wilder, Jamie Cullum reflects on the childish joy of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

We have a live session from the sensational (and very loud) Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans who are back on UK tour this week. Plus a chat with British vocalist Alexander Stewart who tells us about his new album ‘I thought about you’

British soul superstar Shaun Escoffery is dropping in to speak about his fifth album ‘Evergreen’ – hear about his politics, his duet with Joss Stone, and why Idris Elba is a big fan! Plus a flavour of Rio De Janeiro with Grammy-award winning performers Marcos Valle and Eliane Elias.

Neil Cowley is back with us, telling Nigel about his new “multi-layered, ambitious” concept album ‘Spacebound Apes’ which is out this Autumn (with a spectacular live show in the works). New music and a stunning video coming your way too… Plus we hear from Madeleine Peyroux – her new project was inspired by a Jazz FM concert last winter, hear why she chose a unique venue and a host of unusual songs for ‘Secular Hymns’ (currently on Jazz FM’s playlist)

We’re treated to a live session from one of the freshest talents out of New York City – a jazz vocalist who’s certainly ‘one to watch’ – 23 year old Judi Jackson. She’s already been picked up by Snarky Puppy and was featured on their ‘Family Dinner’ project. Plus we have a chat with German trumpet star and vocalist Till Brönner who speaks about his new album of jazz standards, and his catapult into the mainstream as a judge on The X Factor over there.

Portland soul stars Jarrod Lawson and Tahirah Memory are live in session, and we speak to the amazing Will Downing about his new album ‘Black Pearls’ which pays tribute to some of the greatest females in R&B

A live session comes from R&B LEGEND Angie Stone, who plays the Jazz FM Yamaha keyboard. Plus a quick chat with acclaimed US pianist Cyrus Chestnut who’s headlining this year’s Ronnie Scott’s Piano Trio Festival.