British pianist and educator Nikki Yeoh is joining Jazz FM to host a weekly radio show.
Nikki will present the 10-midnight slot starting this Saturday night, and the same evening will also see Chris Philips take over the 6-9pm slot, recently vacated by Sarah Ward.
Sarah stepped back from regular broadcasting just before Christmas following a career that spanned seven decades on the air. An hour-long celebration of Sarah Ward’s career is still available to listen to on the Rayo app here.
British Jazz Pianist Nikki has performed with Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Neneh Cherry, Kurt Elling, Eddie Harris, Nigel Kennedy, Courtney Pine and The Roots. She was Musical Director and Mentor for the BBC Young Jazz Musician Competition 2020 and 2022.
Nikki is lead for jazz, pop and improvisation at Music Education Islington, Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and is also a Principal lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, teaching the future stars of jazz, all about improvisation.
Nikki won the Jazz FM Instrumentalist Award in 2017 and the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Education award 2024.
Chris Philips has been on the station since launch in March 1991 and the new slot sees him return to regular daytime presentation having taken a break since 2018 to concentrate on his previous Saturday night programme.
Of joining Jazz FM, Nikki Yeoh says: “I’ve listened to Jazz FM for years and years and love the fact that they play so many different kinds of jazz.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining the likes of Jez Nelson, Chris Philips and Helen Mayhew on the Jazz FM lineup with my new weekly Saturday night show where I’ll be presenting music you know – along with music you don’t know yet – but I promise you will love. I cannot wait to share the music with you.”
Jazz FM and Magic Classical Content Director Nick Pitts added: “With Sarah leaving, it was always going to be tough to find an alternative as brilliant and as special as she was. Therefore, with Chris accepting the challenge – having been Sarah’s number one fan – this move allows us to also get Nikki onboard to present a regular show of her own curation. We know she can add some real value into our Jazz FM listeners lives.
“Nikki is a much sought after British jazz musician who is absolutely at the top of her game and I look forward her to transferring that knowledge and passion of the music to her weekly selections of songs as she brings Saturday night to a close each week.”
Saturdays on Jazz FM from 18th January 2025
0600-0900 – Nia Visser
0900-1000 – Jazz Shapers with Elliot Moss
1000-1400 – Nigel Williams
1400-1800 – YolanDa Brown
1800-2100 – Chris Philips
2100-2200 – Documentaries and guest curations
2200-2400 – Nikki Yeoh
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