Controller, BBC Radio 3

[AuntDaisy]

Managing Editor of Classic FM?

"Former Classic FM Senior Managing Editor..." according to RadioToday.

His Instagram says "EVP Global Classics & Jazz @universalmusicgroup" - whatever that means.

[french frank]

I've merged the Sam Jackson posts with the revived Controller of Radio 3 thread.

Well, who knows? I thought Alan Davey would be a good controller. I have immediate doubts about Mr Jackson's credentials, so I could be wrong again.

[Old Grumpy]

His Instagram says "EVP Global Classics & Jazz @universalmusicgroup" - whatever that means.

Executive Vice President (it's in the BBC press release)

[AuntDaisy]

Executive Vice President (it's in the BBC press release)

Thanks. I'm still none the wiser

[mopsus]

Looking at the 'best-selling books on Classical music' they appear to be a ghost-written autobiography of Karl Jenkins and several along the lines of 'The Classic FM Hall of Fame', 'Classic FM's Big Book of Classical Music: 1000 years of music in 366 days'. Also 'Fundamentals of Jazz Composition' (co-author).

[french frank]

Executive Vice President (it's in the BBC press release)

Thanks. I'm still none the wiser

'Vice president' is fairly meaningless, though 'Executive' suggests alternative employment which he will relinquish on joining the BBC.

"As Controller, Sam will set the strategic vision for Radio 3 and the Proms to ensure that the needs and expectations of its audience are met": which audience? First and foremost a broadcaster, then, with involvement/experience in music/the arts being secondary? Doesn't seem to give any details of his musical interest or training.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Looking at the 'best-selling books' they appear to be: a ghost-written autobiography of Karl Jenkins; Fundamentals of Jazz Composition (co-author); and several along the lines of 'The Classic FM Hall of Fame', 'Classic FM's Big Book of Classical Music: 1000 years of music in 366 days' and so on.

Did he really write fundamentals of jazz composition.? That appears to be quite a scholarly tome. I’ve never been sure whether jazz composition needs to taught given the number of geniuses who never had any lessons but if he is the author this is a example of some one being appointed who knows what he’s talking about .

[Ein Heldenleben]

'Vice president' is fairly meaningless, though 'Executive' suggests alternative employment which he will relinquish on joining the BBC.

"As Controller, Sam will set the strategic vision for Radio 3 and the Proms to ensure that the needs and expectations of its audience are met": which audience? First and foremost a broadcaster, then, with involvement/experience in music/the arts being secondary? Doesn't seem to give any details of his musical interest or training.

Executive Vice President is an Americanism used a lot in banking/ media / film / tv circles . It can mean anything from here’s a fancy title to stop us having to pay you more to some one who does all the work while the CEO poses at Davos. US firms always have dozens of them - they are often not very senior jobs.

[antongould]

I've merged the Sam Jackson posts with the revived Controller of Radio 3 thread.

Well, who knows? I thought Alan Davey would be a good controller. I have immediate doubts about Mr Jackson's credentials, so I could be wrong again.

….. is he from Stockton …… ??????

[mopsus]

Did he really write fundamentals of jazz composition.? That appears to be quite a scholarly tome. I’ve never been sure whether jazz composition needs to taught given the number of geniuses who never had any lessons but if he is the author this is a example of some one being appointed who knows what he’s talking about .

I'm willing to be corrected on this one (it's not an unusual name, and I'm fairly confident the erotica an Amazon search also turned up will be by someone else). I would certainly feel more optimistic if he were the co-author, though of course it's not unknown for someone in the media to have their name prominently on a book while their co-author wrote most of it!

[Ein Heldenleben]

I'm willing to be corrected on this one (it's not an unusual name, and I'm fairly confident the erotica an Amazon search also turned up will be by someone else). I would certainly feel more optimistic if he were the co-author, though of course it's not unknown for someone in the media to have their name prominently on a book while their co-author wrote most of it!

The book is written by Sam Jackson and says meter not metre . Possibly an American ? I wish it were true. Maybe he could stop all those irritating voiceovers on Jazz A -Z .

[Beresford]

Sam Jackson - a long time at Classic FM and it's parent companies - now Radio3 controller of music and Proms
Darren Henley - a long time at Classic FM - now Chairman of Arts Council England (for at least 7 years)

Do I detect a pattern here? And are politics involved?

[french frank]

The book is written by Sam Jackson and says meter not metre . Possibly an American ? I wish it were true. Maybe he could stop all those irritating voiceovers on Jazz A -Z .

Two men with but a single name? "Sam Jackson is an in-demand bassist, jazz composer, and a graduate of Leeds College of Music."

[Ein Heldenleben]

Two men with but a single name? "Sam Jackson is an in-demand bassist, jazz composer, and a graduate of Leeds College of Music."

Yes bass players tend to have a good grasp of harmony. The unsung and sadly often unheard heroes of the art form .I don’t think there’s ever been a radio three controller who was a jazz musician sadly. Or a bass player come to think of it.*

*PS - a quick flick through Wiki reveals that Nick Kenyon played the bassoon in Stockport County Youth Orchestra . Roger Wright studied the cello at Chethams . Not in Wiki but I know William Glock was an accomplished pianist with a laudable predilection for Haydn Piano Trios.

[LHC]

Sam Jackson - a long time at Classic FM and it's parent companies - now Radio3 controller of music and Proms
Darren Henley - a long time at Classic FM - now Chairman of Arts Council England (for at least 7 years)

Do I detect a pattern here? And are politics involved?

Well Darren Henley was the favourite to become the Controller of R3 until ACE's latest funding round was announced and his incompetence was laid bare for all to see. Apparently the BBC had to quickly find an alternative candidate as Henley would have been a very controversial appointment after proposing ENO move to a car park in Manchester.