Jazz has long been recognized as one of the most popular music genres around the world. Although the style peaked several decades ago, there is evidence that jazz music remains a central part of popular culture.
Studies show that younger listeners around the world are quickly rediscovering the power of jazz.
In 2019, Spotify announced that around 40 percent of consumers who listened to jazz on the platform were under the age of 30, and interest is increasing every year.
While there are numerous opportunities to discover new jazz artists and albums in today’s digital world, radio remains a fantastic resource for today’s music explorers. In 2021 alone, the British even consumed around 1 billion hours of radio.
Whether you’re pursuing an existing jazz obsession or discovering the fantastic genre for the first time, you’ve come to the right place.
Today we’re taking a look at some of the most popular UK radio stations for jazz content.
The best jazz radio stations in the UK
Opinions on the best jazz radio stations vary across the UK depending on who you ask.
This long-lived genre of music has several sub-categories, meaning some stations are more likely to be viewed by those looking for classic tunes. Others, on the other hand, attract the attention of adventurous listeners.
We have selected this list of the best jazz radio stations in the UK based on the overall quality of their programming, the station’s popularity and the demand each channel generates.
let’s dive in
1.Jazz FM
Arguably one of the UK’s most popular and well-known jazz radio stations, Jazz FM began broadcasting in 2005.
Bauer Media Group owns Jazz FM, a fully digital radio station available in the UK and Malta. The focus is on playing traditional jazz music and the occasional playlist of soul and blues tunes.
The station dates back to the 102.2 Jazz FM station that started in 1990. It was produced to appeal to a younger audience in the digital world.
You can expect to hear different songs with DJ commentary throughout the day. In the evenings, on the other hand, the music runs continuously, without any participation from the host.
Despite being a relatively niche radio station, Jazz FM has a large audience, counting around 511,000 weekly listeners, according to RAJAR.
Frequency: DAB+: 11A
Website: Jazz FM
2. BBC Radio 3
Although BBC Radio 3 does not focus exclusively on jazz music, it features many segments that offer listeners a chance to hear classic and modern tunes.
The station’s playlists typically revolve around classical music, combining jazz with world music and opera.
The station advertises itself as one of the world’s most important clients for new music and draws attention to young artists of all nationalities with its programs.
Since its launch in 1967, BBC Radio 3 has enjoyed massive popularity, with a weekly audience of around 1.8 million people. In 2009 it also won the Sony Radio Academy UK Station of the Year award.
As well as loads of great music, BBC Radio also broadcasts exciting programs and commentary from a variety of popular presenters and, like many other radio stations, offers regular news reports to keep you up to date with what’s happening in the UK.
Frequency: FM: 90.2-92.6MHz
Website: BBC 3 Radio
3. Smooth FM
While Smooth FM doesn’t exclusively focus on jazz content, it’s a great channel for anyone interested in a wider range of adult contemporary hits.
The independent radio station for Greater London replaced 102.2 Jazz FM in 2005. Although Smooth FM is no longer available as a national station, it is still available to listeners across the UK via digital channels.
Smooth FM is best known for all-day playlists of soul, R&B, and jazz music, as well as unique weekend and evening programs. The station has hosted many well-known presenters, including Mike Allen, Dave Brown and Sarah Ward.
In addition to eclectic playlists, Smooth produced various special shows, including the Jazz Legends Program with Ramsey Lewis and the Smooth selection Show with various soft jazz songs.
Frequency: London FM: 102.2MHz
Website: Smooth Radio
4. Gentle cooling
Smooth Chill is part of the Smooth Radio brand and advertises itself as an ambient radio station.
In other words, most playlists contain atmospheric, relaxing music from different genres. The channel was originally launched in 2005 and offers a variety of programs including the Garden of Delights And The deep end.
Although the station mainly plays ambient soundscapes, movie soundtracks and chill-out music, it also offers numerous jazz sessions, with an emphasis on more relaxing tracks in general.
The Chil playlist combines downtempo rock, vocal jazz and lounge tracks.
In addition to appearing on DAB channels, Smooth Chill also has its own online website where users can listen to the playlists from anywhere in the world. Smooth Chill also runs alongside a number of sister stations including Smooth Country and Smooth Christmas.
Frequency: DAB+: 11D
Website: Smooth Radio
5. Solar radio
For residents of the British capital and visitors to London, Solar Radio is a fantastic local station for jazz enthusiasts.
The station was founded in the era of pirate radio. It got its name as a shortened version of the nickname: “Sounds of London’s Alternative Radio”.
The station first went live as a pirate station in 1984 before joining the satellite transmission landscape in 1999.
Finally, the company switched its broadcasting strategy to DAB in 2015 and is now available for listening online and through DAB channels.
The channel’s hosts have included big names from the scene such as Ralph Tee, Lisa l’Anson and Tony Monson.
The station’s playlists mainly consist of a collection of house, jazz, funk and soul music options.
Frequency: DAB: 9A
Website: Solar Radio
6. Point blank radio
Point Blank Radio, also known simply as Point Blank FM, is another excellent station for jazz enthusiasts in the London area.
The online and DAB-based station specializes primarily in playlists with house music, contemporary electronic music, soul and jazz.
You can also tune into this station to hear unique songs from around the world.
Like Solar Radio, Point Blank Radio started out as a pirate station from west London, broadcasting outside the restrictions imposed by the BBC and radio authorities.
In 2021 it was announced that this station would join the DAB mux landscape in Surrey. It was not until 2021 that the channel officially began broadcasting as a licensed channel.
Today, Point Blank Radio is popular for its fantastic variety of music genres, well beyond the usual playlists found on most UK stations.
Frequency: DAB: 10C
Website: Point Blank Radio
7. BBC Music Jazz
BBC Music Jazz, another digital radio station specially designed for lovers of the jazz genre, was a temporary DAB service produced by BBC Radio, Jazz FM and the EFG Jazz London Festival.
Although the station is not officially broadcasting live today, it is still possible to listen to sessions from the station online via BBC Radio’s website.
This station was a symbol of jazz music culture in the UK and marked the first major collaboration between the BBC and one of its radio competitors. The station was accessible via DAB channels and via the iPlayer app produced by the BBC.
The channel has launched two official sessions in the last decade. However, it remains to be seen if new playlists will ever be produced.
Frequency: DAB: 12B
Website: BBC Music Jazz
The best jazz radio stations in the UK
In the UK fewer radio stations are dedicated to jazz than other music genres such as pop, rock and even electronic music.
However, there are many channels that listeners can browse for a collection of modern and classic hits from jazz legends.
