Courtney Pine, saxophonist

As a prelude to Radio 3's The Music is Black week, celebrating the music of Black British composers and artists, Michael Berkeley talks to the saxophonist and composer Courtney Pine, whose work is recognised at the V&A East Museum exhibition.

Courtney Pine released his first album 40 years ago, and it became the first British jazz album to enter the UK Top 40, competing at the time with the likes of Madonna, Paul Simon and the Pet Shop Boys. In the decades since, he has become one of the most influential figures in British jazz. As a performer, his musical passions are wide-ranging, embracing acoustic jazz and electronics, as well as the Jamaican sounds he heard when he was growing up. He has also been a tireless musical ambassador, through broadcasting and education, and has earned both an OBE and a CBE for his services to music.

He learned piano and clarinet at school, where he established musical roots in the classical tradition. His music choices include Bach, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Florence Price.

Presented by Michael Berkeley
Producer: Graham Rogers