Journalist and author Mike Gerber is the presenter of a new show on UK Jazz Radio. Called Jazz Jews, the monthly slot, available online features a variety of Jewish-jazz fusions including klezmer and Israeli jazz.
Mr Gerber tells People: "I will also play tracks by jazz musicians who happen to be Jewish but that have no Jewish music content." American drummer Buddy Rich was on his debut show, which aired earlier this month.
Mr Gerber says: "Most shows will be playlist driven, but I hope to do interviews, cover gigs, and base items on particular themes."
He was asked to present the show after writing a book. Also titled Jazz Jews, it chronicles the influence of Jewish Jazz. It explores how Jews used Jazz as an instrument against apartheid and Soviet repression, and as a means of survival in Nazi death camps. By doing the radio show, I'm hoping to build on the considerable interest there already is in Jewish
jazz beyond the Jewish community."
Mr Gerber was inspired by jazz when he saw Buddy Rich performing at the Royal Variety Performance show at the London Palladium in 1970. "I liked the swinging rhythms, the 'bluesy feel', the improvisation, the often stunning musicianship and interplay, and all its openness to all sorts of musical influences."
www.ukjazzradio.com