Last night at the Audio & Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS), the Oscars of UK radio and audio, Jamie Cullum was awarded Best Music Presenter for his BBC Radio 2 show, beating off stiff competition from Clara Amfo (BBC Radio 1), Edith Bowman and Trevor Nelson (BBC Radio 2), Dave Berry and Andy Bush (Absolute Radio).
The ARIAS are about recognising the talented individuals and teams in the UK audio and radio sector, who excel at their craft and produce the very best body of work in the world, and in presenting the award the judging panel said of Jamie's show - "Stylish, slick, beautifully crafted and sincere. The scope of his musical knowledge enables insightful interviews with his guests. His performances and collaborations yield yet more depth. The most deserving winner in years!"
On receiving the award, Jamie said: “This started out 8 years ago as a fun adventure that I had no idea would bring me here. It was listening to John Peel, Trevor Nelson, Gilles Peterson, Humphrey Littleton, Marc and Lard and Tim Westwood that fuelled my love for music and set me on the road for a career as a musician. I’ve always believed in the power of a knowledgeable and passionate curator."
He goes on to say "In my own music career I’ve always felt like an evangelist for music and musicians. It’s a gift to be able to communicate that passion on the brilliant Radio 2" and thanked the "thriving British Jazz scene that is firing this show up to another level" alongside thank yous to all his team and family.
Jamie’s show is broadcast every Tuesday from 8-9pm on BBC Radio 2 and has 720,000+ weekly listeners and a record reach and share for the slot. Jamie’s program is also syndicated to stations across the world in USA, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, France and South East Asia.
Karen Pearson, producer of Jamie’s radio show and CEO of Folded Wing, said: "This award is testament to Jamie's passion, warmth and dedication to radio and the whole team at Folded Wing. Thank you to BBC Radio 2 for all of their support from day one and for letting us make a jazz show that we really wanted to make.”
During his time on the program Jamie has helped artists such as Gregory Porter and Madeleine Peyroux reach the A-list on BBC Radio 2, bringing ‘specialist’ jazz to a weekly audience of some eight million listeners.
Coming up on the show over the next couple of months:
October - Emma Jean Thackray’s Walrus & Kiefer in session
November - Jeff Goldblum - Live session and interview (with a Jamie duet!)
December - Harry Connick Jr - Extended interview for Radio 2 at Christmas
