Jazz FM

Jazz FM is a British radio station specialising in jazz, soul and blues. The station launched on 4 March 1990 in London as one of the first commercial ‘incremental licences’ of the Radio Authority and was initiated by Dave Lee and Jasper Grinling. The opening broadcast featured a concert by Ella Fitzgerald at the Royal Festival Hall.

Over the years, Jazz FM expanded its programming and helped artists such as Jamie Cullum and Gregory Porter break through. Despite name changes such as to JFM in 1994 and later conversions of some frequencies to Smooth FM, the focus on jazz music remained. Today the station broadcasts digitally nationwide via DAB and online, with content such as special birthday programmes for its 30th anniversary in 2020. Early presenters included Diana Luke as the first host.