BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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Kings of Cool

Kings of Cool: Episode 3: Billy Eckstine

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Factual: Life Stories

Music: Jazz & Blues: Jazz

Episode 3

Episode 3: Billy Eckstine

Billy Eckstine

BBC Radio 2 - Kings of Cool, Billy Eckstine

Moira Stuart on the lives and careers of male jazz artists, continuing with Billy Eckstine

Moira Stuart explores the lives and careers of some of jazz's most prolific male artists. This week she looks at one of the great American jazz singers, Billy Eckstine.

Moira Stuart continues exploring her passion for jazz as she discovers more about some of its legendary male icons. This week, the focus turns to Billy Eckstine.

Billy - or "Mr B" as he was affectionately referred to - is known primarily as one of the great American jazz singers and bandleaders of the swing era. As a young man his dream was to pave a career in football. But, after breaking his collarbone, he put paid to that and decided to focus his attentions on music instead; a decision that would change his life forever and lead him to produce some of the greatest jazz music of the 1940s.

Join Moira as she tells the story of this late, great, King of Cool, with the help of those who were lucky enough to be part of his journey and some exceptional music.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Moira Stuart explores the lives and careers of some legendary male jazz artists

Moira Stuart continues her passion and discovery of jazz by exploring some of its legendary male artists

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Episode 3: Billy Eckstine

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