Arthur Briggs: The Brit Who Brought Jazz to Europe

Arthur Briggs - the Brit who brought jazz to Europe

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

BBC Radio 4 LW

Documentaries

Factual

Music: Jazz & Blues

BBC Radio 4 - Arthur Briggs: The Brit Who Brought Jazz to Europe

Hugh Schofield delves into the little-known story of jazz pioneer Arthur Briggs.

Hugh Schofield tells the story of the forgotten jazz pioneer from the British Caribbean.

Arthur Briggs played with some of the biggest names in jazz, witnessed some extraordinary moments in history and survived a Nazi internment camp.  Yet, apart from among the most diehard jazz fans, he's virtually unknown today. 

Born at the turn of the last century on the Caribbean island of Grenada, then part of the British Empire, Briggs learned to play trumpet in Harlem and is believed to be the only British subject to have participated in the creation of jazz.  But for his entire life, Arthur said he was American.  

In archive recordings broadcast for the first time, Briggs tells of his adventures as a black man leading a band of musicians around the cities of Europe in the 1920s and 30s.   Memories include the aftermath of race riots in Liverpool, the execution of Turkish opposition leaders in Ankara, and four years in a Nazi camp.

Hugh tries to uncover why this pioneer of jazz is virtually absent from the history books.     

Presenter: Hugh Schofield
Producer: Paul Pradier
Sound design: Peregrine Andrews  
Executive Producer: Adele Armstrong 

Archive courtesy of Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies
Photo credit: Barbara Pierrat-Briggs

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Arthur Briggs: The Brit Who Brought Jazz to Europe

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4