Had it not been for a teenage encounter with a radio outside broadcast, Nigel Williams would probably have been a musician. His love of music; guitar, violin and pretty much any instrument handed to him would certainly have led him down a musical path. The excitement of the live broadcast changed his vision. He was drawn towards a life of broadcasting and he has never looked back. Nigel has been heard on radio stations all over the UK and now he returns to the station that provided him with some of his happiest times on-air – Jazz FM.
Nigel presents the mid-morning show on Jazz FM from 10am weekdays.
Visit Nigel's website.
Interview With Nigel Williams
1. What’s your favourite Jazz FM programme and why?
So hard to choose, but I think it’s Dinner Jazz. The diverse selection of melodies that Sarah and Helen play fill me with positive feelings - it’s like audio therapy. Just don’t ask me to choose between Sarah and Helen!
2. What's the first record you ever bought and where did you buy it?
This almost qualifies for the next question, but fortunately I don’t have it anymore. ‘The Funky Gibbon’ by The Goodies.
3. What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod/in your collection?
Probably my Carpenters songs. People used to laugh at me, but now we have Rumer (Sarah Joyce) who is hot property and sounds just like Karen Carpenter so I’m feeling less embarrassed.
4. In your opinion, what’s the greatest album of all time and why?
This changes on a daily basis, but today I would go for ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ by Stevie Wonder. This is the album with everything; the concept, the depth of lyrics, the musical excellence and despite its age, the album still sounds current.
5. What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I think it has to be Earth Wind & Fire at Wembley in the ‘80s. They had it all. Very hard for anyone to beat that.
6. What’s your favourite live music venue and why?
Has to be Ronnie Scott’s. This surely is everyone’s idea of what a jazz club should be like.
7. Jazz Is...
Jazz.
8. In your opinion, who’s the most inspirational radio presenter of all time and why?
Hard to pick just one, really. My inspiration came from the early commercial radio presenters in London. Roger Scott, Kenny Everett, Tony Myatt and our own PY all were/are incredible entertainers with an unwavering passion for their audience. (Leave the cheque in my pigeon hole, Peter).
9. What’s been your most embarrassing moment in radio?
Falling asleep during a song after a big night out (many years ago). It won’t happen again as we now have espresso.
10. What’s your favourite film and why?
I like ‘Play Misty for Me’. I’m still drawn to the kind of lifestyle that DJ Dave Carver had, especially his home. Probably wouldn’t enjoy the psychotic girlfriend though.
11. Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
Not Michael Winner… my wife and I have had that experience already. How about we invite Clint Eastwood, Diana Krall, Heston Blumenthal and Archie Panjabi?
love listening to your breakfast show in Perth, western Australia, via the net. The music’s great, but i especially love hearing the traffic news, I might miss the great music since ive emigrated but i certainly don’t miss the A13!!!!!!
Please keep up the good work
Gary
Good morning there,
I went to see Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall last Saturday.
What a surprise that he had Rosie Gaines in his ensemble and I thought:
‘What a lovely surprise. Jazzfm used to have her on the playlist playing Honeychild.
What’s good for Jools Holland is good enough for Jazzfm’ – yes that’s what came to my mind.
Of course I can’t remember what she sung but she is ‘funky’ her voice has a twist in it that I like.
Please play one of her songs on the radio as much as you do ‘Fever’ than I have a chance to hear it without fail. To hear a song on the radio makes a difference as the surprise of hearing it makes me jump.
Regards.
Trudi
Keep it jammin’ and chillin’ over here in Houston, Texas!! Your song choice is brilliant….;)
xxoo
Great show, Nigel.
I often listen to JazzFm. Found the station a couple of weeks ago and enjoying the programmes very.
Greetings from The Netherlands .
El
NIgel
Great listening to you in the evening!! from here in Sydney. Last time I looked couldn’t listen because of licencing but now………….
Used to listen when I was in the UK it was great then and is even better now, the radio in Aus is pretty rubbish just need a better mobile network so I can listen whist on the move.
Thanks guys
Mary J Blige & Jill Scott!!
As you can see still have you on my radio, yay!! Thanx for your response when I last got in touch, much appreciated.
Keep playing top chooonz
Luv Jane xc
Hi, Nigel, thank you so-o-o-o much for playing Michael Franks this morning! What a treat. We absolutely adore his latest album and can’t stop playing it, but have been puzzled as to why it has been apparently overlooked on jazzfm. No longer!! He’s a one-off, and yes, hopefully one day he will come to Britain. Meanwhile, we have decided to reverse the process and cross the pond to see him in November! Thanks for the music. Liz
Hi Nigel, tryin’ to find out a tuned played today around 10:15am “Promise” ???
not on the play list, as a big chunk missing from it. any chance you could let me know matey.
Cheers
Derek Robinson
Hi Nigel what is the track playing now – following Mario Biondi Rio de Janeiro blues excuse spelling. Thanks so much love the music and the show. Been a long time listener since the early 90′s and it just gets better and better.
love jazzFM in Panama. Just found this station on the internet a few months ago. Can’t stop listening to all you guys. Even with 5hour time difference. Love you all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dear Jazz FM – Just wanted to mention that on the competitions page the “anti-spam criptic words” are so hard to read – the first one is always impossible and there is no response once you have entered – so you never know whether the entry worked or not – please can you ask your website techs to simplify the criptic words and give a response to acknowledge the competition entry, many thanks and enjoying the tunes x
Hi Nigel I totally enjoyed your show pure niceness. Could you please let me know what music format do you have the super instrumental track ‘Latin Note’ by the artist St.Germain. I have been looking for it and cant find any details about it being avaiIable to purchase. Bless the Funk from The Funky Drummer Kevin Milton Keynes.
Yeah, Greg Porters good, but what a pity no one on Jazzfm celebrates Donald Smith
who, in my humble opinion has a better voice than Mr. Porter and is also a great Jazz
pianist.The Under Rated, under appreciated and under celebrated brother of Lonnie Liston has been active on the european jazz scene for years and has recently featured alongside Greg Porter ,Mansur Scott , Paul Zauner etc..as part of the ‘Voices of Harlem’.
Would be nice to see him live in the UK .As far as i’m aware he’s never performed in this country.
Regards,
Frank