Broadcaster
Broadcaster
BBC Radio 2 has more listeners than any station in Britain. Richard Niles began broadcasting for the BBC writing and hosting the series “Jazz Notes”, and “Adventures in Jazz” in 1996. Since then, he has created, written, produced, and hosted the following series of acclaimed radio programs, and composed the radio themes for the programs:
1998 - 2003 : New Jazz Standards
Listen to New Jazz Standard Theme
featuring Michael Ruff (vocals, piano)
Nominated for the Sony Award in Broadcasting, this acclaimed one-hour series had a ‘magazine’ format, featuring recordings, in-depth interviews and live music (produced by Niles and recorded in his Nucool Studio, London). It featured contemporary jazz greats including Bob James, The Yellowjackets, Hiromi, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker and Gary Burton. Outside broadcasts included Michael Brecker at the Brecon Jazz Festival.
2001 : The Arrangers
Listen to The Arrangers Theme
featuring Richard Niles (vocals)
Also nominated for the Sony Award in Broadcasting, these half-hour documentaries explored the work of many influential arrangers of the past, such as Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Esquviel, Robert Farnon, Neal Hefti, and Quincy Jones.
2002: Upfront with Richard Niles
Listen to Upfront with Richard Niles Theme
featuring Richard Niles (vocals, guitar)
Exploring the singers who made their names with big bandleaders, in this documentary series Niles tells the story of such teams as Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey, Mel Tormé & Artie Shaw, Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman.
2003 : Richard Niles’ History of Pop Arranging
This 7-part series of half-hour documentaries were the first, in any media, to explore the arrangers behind the greatest hits of the last 50 years. It featured Niles’in-depth interviews with unsung heroes such as David Van DePitte (What’s Goin’ On), Barry Manilow, Richard Carpenter, Arif Mardin (Atlantic Records, Chaka Khan), Charlie Callelo (Laura Nyro), Jimmie Haskell (Simon & Garfunkel), and the legendary producer Jerry Wexler.
2003 : Manhattan - the most musical island on Earth
In this unique 2-part documentary series, Niles examines Manhattan’s influence on music of the 20th Century in interviews with Arif Mardin, Al Kooper, Neil Sedaka, Debbie Harry, John Cale, and The Beastie Boys.
Enjoying’ the theme tunes? Ask Richard and he’ll write and produce a theme for your Podcast, Radio Program, or YouTube Channel!
2003: Inside Improvisation
Listen to Inside Improvisation Theme
featuring Katherine Gang (vocals)
In 4 half-hour documentaries, Niles explains improvisation to non-musicians and musicians alike. He talks to improvisers including Pat Metheny, Eliane Elias, Marc Johnson, Gary Burton, Randy Brecker, Maria Schnieder, Paquito D’Rivera and Martin Taylor, getting them to demonstrate their concepts and techniques on their instruments.
2007: Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life
These three 30-minute programs are a unique consideration of the significance of Metheny’s career in the form of in-depth interviews with Metheny and some of his closest collaborators including Michael Brecker, Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette and Lyle Mays.
2008: What Is Melody?
Listen to What Is Melody Theme
featuring Daisy Chute (vocals)
These three 30-minute programs examine the question of what a melody actually is! Niles enlists the participation of composers, songwriters and artists such as the Bee Gees, Nickleback, Greg Phillinganes, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, and Bob James.
2008: Faith In an Elevator
Another unique subject, in these three 30-minute programs on composer arranger Percy Faith, Niles examines the appeal of ‘elevator music’. Contributors include composer/arrangers John Altman & Nick Ingman with bassist Richard Jones from The Feeling. Current pop artists KT Tunstall, Amy McDonald, Richard Hawley and Colin McIntyre submit their songs to be arranged by Niles in the Faith style.
