Mark Walker

Jazz FM’s Greatest & Dinner Jazz

Mark Walker

About Mark Walker

When was your first show on Jazz FM?

1991

What are your top 3 favourite jazz albums of all time?

Ray Charles's self-titled album Ray Charles, Norah Jones's Feels Like Home and Betty Carter's The Music Never Stops.

What is your most memorable jazz gig?

Van Morrison was amazing at Love Supreme 2015 and along with the great atmosphere and a large gin or two, it was fantastic.

What is your favourite Jazz FM story?

Turning up unannounced at Jazz FM in 1991 with a demo cassette (I’m old) and being unexpectedly invited in... and after a cup of tea with the late Malcolm Laycock, Jazz FM’s launch Programme Director I was asked if I could start next weekend! I’m either quite good or cheap!

If you were to choose the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Jazz FM Awards, who would you give it to and why?

John McLaughlin. Jeff Beck called McLaughlin one of the best guitarists alive and the great Pat Metheny described him as the world’s greatest guitarist. A pioneer of jazz fusion and an ability to work across genres with complexity and unrivalled skill makes McLaughlin truly deserving of a lifetime achievement award.

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