Cabinet Of Jazz

In 1964, Dizzy Gillespie ran for President of the USA and in his manifesto, he named a cabinet of jazz musicians. In this highly innovative podcast series – originally broadcast on Jazz FM – British comedian and jazz nerd Marcus Brigstocke invites jazz musicians and famous jazz lovers to join him on stage in London to nominate their own Cabinet of Jazz. Marcus digs deep into his inner geek and challenges each nomination with wit and humour in this ten part comedy series. A who’s who of “President’s” include writer/broadcaster Jay Rayner, comedians Stewart Lee and Isy Suttie, actor Clarke Peters and musicians Dennis Bovell MBE, YolanDa Brown, Gary Crosbie OBE, Julian Joseph OBE, Claire Martin OBE and Zara McFarlane.

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Episodes

Clarke Peters

Suggests an entire family for one of his nominations, the joys of listening to old ‘78s’ and a wardrobe mishap that has the whole audience laughing.

Feb 18, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 10

YolanDa Brown

Explains how she almost started with the oboe rather than the saxophone, introduces a different Strawberry Hill and causes controversy with some vote-rigging!

Feb 18, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Zara McFarlane

Trades differences of opinion on the Royal Albert Hall, advice on looking cool in a hot jazz club and why a Justice Secretary who’s “one of the lads” might be a good idea.

Feb 18, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Claire Martin OBE

British Jazz Vocalist Claire Martin OBE on why Pat Metheny doesn’t know the going rate for the tooth fairy, the musician who bought Barack Obama’s house and how Ella Fitzgerald was the first female big band leader.

Jan 26, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Dennis Bovell MBE

Reggae Musician and Record Producer Dennis Bovell MBE on why we should always look for the sunny side of the street, which jazz musician created a cat toilet training book in the 1950s and the influence of the Muppet Show.

Jan 26, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Isy Suttie

Comedian Isy Suttie on Duke Ellington’s extreme diets, her experience in making penguins out of chicken wire and papier mache - and how she’d encourage her entire cabinet to sing their policies.

Jan 26, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Julian Joseph OBE

Pianist, Composer, and Broadcaster Julian Joseph on a plan to send Ella Fitzgerald out to heal patients using just the power of her voice, the creation of a unique government role - Minister for the Environment AND Lyricism - and whispering with Miles Davis.

Jan 26, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Gary Crosby OBE

Co-Founder of Tomorrows Warriors and Bass Player Gary Crosby OBE on memories of late-night New Orleans, the healing power of John Coltrane and a plan to take his political inner-circle to Jamaica regularly!

Jan 26, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Jay Rayner

Presenter, Journalist, and Jazz Pianist Jay Rayner explores the suitability of jazz musicians to take a political role (it’s not a positive take!), how the entire Count Basie orchestra could be very useful in an armed conflict and some childish sniggering over the name Dick Hyman.

Jan 26, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Stewart Lee

Comedian Stewart Lee on Germanic free jazz, how stand-up comedy and jazz are inseparable and what led Lee to drop his trousers on stage nightly!

Jan 26, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Trailer

Marcus Brigstocke explains why you should listen to the Cabinet of Jazz.

Nov 19, 2021•3 min

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