Jazz FM finds more lost tapes for new documentary series

Jazz FM is to broadcast a three-part series of long-lost interviews with some of the giants in classic jazz thanks to a new partnership with the UK’s National Jazz Archive.

The new series comes following on from the spring broadcast of a lost interview tape of jazz saxophonist Stan Getz.

Hosted by Helen Mayhew, these three hour-long programmes will feature the highlights of many hours of interviews with long since departed legends – jazz pianist Oscar Peterson (d.2007), singer Sarah Vaughan (d.1990) and drummer Art Blakey (d.1990).

Recorded by journalist Les Tomkins who bequeathed the library of recordings to the National Jazz Archive when he himself died last year, these interviews have never been heard before and were used to help him write his jazz articles for, amongst others Jazz News, Crescendo and Melody Maker.

Jazz FM’s Content Director Nick Pitts says: “We were scratching our heads as to how to top our amazing Clive Myrie fronted ten-part series on the history of jazz and most recently the beautiful six-week long love letter by Sir Michael Parkinson to the music, and then this amazing opportunity comes along!

The programme will just scratch the surface of these extensive interviews in amongst so many more in the NJA but I’m hoping that our audience of inquisitive jazz hungry lovers will find this as fascinating as I will. I’m grateful to the National Jazz Archive for partnering with us on this landmark opportunity to shed some intimate light on these great names.”

‘The Lost Tapes…’ host Helen Mayhew added: “These interviews give us a chance to hear the voices of some of the greatest names in jazz, providing a unique insight into their own music and lives. Oscar Peterson, Art Blakey and Sarah Vaughan are all hugely influential and important figures in the music, and all have great stories to tell. “

The Lost Tapes… with Helen Mayhew each Sunday at 9pm

25th July: Art Blakey

1st August: Oscar Peterson

8th August: Sarah Vaughan