Presented by Steve Race, (later Humphrey Littleton and Peter Clayton) "Jazz 625" remains one of the great archives in jazz, offering an insight into the stylistic and personal traits of the masters. Material from the show made a deep impression on musicians and non-musicians alike, encouraging simple appreciation of the artform.
The first broadcast, entitled "Ellington In Concert", was hosted by Steve Race and aired on April 21st 1964 from BBC Television Theatre (the show's residence for the duration).
Of 88 original episodes, 28 are missing and a further 3 are incomplete. These include performances by Duke Ellington Ronnie Scott and The Oscar Peterson Trio. An effort has been made to return these reels to BBC Archive, though a handful remain lost.
On a personal level, and I am not alone in this, "Jazz 625" is a refreshing reminder of a bygone era of bop, in an era of pop that feels a little like a hamster-wheel.
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