[Dixielandjazz] For UK Members - Please help to get more jazz on BBC Radio 2 - BBC Trust asking opinions

[John Petters]

Greetings Folks,

The BBC Trust which runs the BBC, is asking what we think about Radio 
Two. Here is my response:

Radio 2 was set up in the '60s as a successor to the ‘Light Programme’. 
It played a broad cross section of music. A decade or so ago the policy 
changed and anything pre-Rock era was ghettoised into specialist 
programmes broadcast outside prime listening times.
A recent survey of the playlists of such leading shows as ‘Wogan’ showed 
nothing earlier than Elvis or Buddy Holly with a considerable cross over 
to the playlists of Radio One.
Notable absentees on such shows are Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Bing 
Crosby, Fats Waller etc. Since Michael Parkinson’s retirement, there has 
been even less of this ’popular’ as opposed to ‘pop’ music to be found 
on the network.

The only place on the BBC where Licence Fee Payers can hear a first 
class professionally presented show embracing everything from 
traditional jazz, blues, big band, American Songbook, light music and 
even the occasional steam train is on BBC Eastern Counties Radio, with 
‘The Late Paul Barnes’. – which is shunted off to the graveyard slot of 
11pm – 1am Saturday night to Sunday Morning. BBC Trust members would do 
well to listen to this show and consider giving it space on Network radio.
Paul Barnes also makes a point of giving new artistes performing today 
exposure denied them by Radio 2. Hence he was the first, I believe, to 
showcase Jamie Culham and Diana Krall to cite just two examples.

This ageist attitude to programming on R2 denies the opportunity for the 
listening public to hear anything outside the 'rock', 'pop' idiom UNLESS 
they are drawn to listen to the specialist shows, like the recent 
excellent Gene Krupa series.
When they do produce these programmes, the BBC seem obsessed with 
celebrity and engage presenters, as with the Krupa show, because of 
their status, whereas there are better, more informed presenters 
available, who could do a more convincing job. One who springs to mind 
is Michael Pointon, who has written and produced many first class jazz 
programmes over the years.

In its heyday, Radio Two commissioned a lot of ‘live music that was not 
‘pop’. Traditional jazz bands, such as that led by Chez Chesterman made 
broadcasts for the Wogan show. All this has gone.

There is an element of sameness throughout the BBC Local Radio and the 
Radio Two network, with a very limited musical policy.
Will you (The Trust) take any notice of what I have said? I doubt it – 
but I can always hope" END OF RESPONSE


If YOU care about this music, you can help by doing something positive 
to KEEP JAZZ ALIVE.
Tell the BBC Trust what you think of Radio 2 by filling in the 
questionnaire and making comments on the Radio 2 Message Boards. I can’t 
promise that it will work, but if enough people lobby the Trust, they 
just may well listen and do something about it.

You can download the form here:
https://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/departments/bbc/bbc-radio-2-and-bbc-6-music/consultation/supporting_docs/Radio%202%20and%206%20Music%20public%20consultation%20document.pdf 


or complete on line here:
https://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/departments/bbc/bbc-radio-2-and-bbc-6-music/consultation 


Takje part in the R2 Message boards here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio2/

You will need to register for this but it is easy.

The Radio 2 Service Licence says:

”Radio 2’s programmes should exhibit some or all of the following 
characteristics: high quality, original, challenging, innovative and 
engaging, and it should nurture UK talent.
Radio 2 should extend the range of music available to the public through 
both mainstream and specialist programmes that enable audiences to enjoy 
familiar music and also to explore a range of specialist music genres.
Its music output should include musical genres that do not normally 
receive wide exposure, including music from around the world.
The service should educate audiences in musical terms and extend their 
tastes; it should encourage participation and appreciation through 
specialist programmes and documentaries and by maintaining a playlist of 
new releases that emphasises new artists and less familiar tracks. It 
should be committed to the development of new song writing and live 
performance, encouraging new artists, especially those from the UK”. END 
OF QUOTE

Do you think Radio 2 complies with the terms of its Licence why your TV 
Licence is paying for?

Please respond with your views

Keep swinging


-- 
John Petters
www.traditional-jazz.com
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ

-- 
John Petters
www.traditional-jazz.com
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ