Dave Morecroft of WorldService Project

Tonight on Jazz on 3 the genre that dare not speak its name, prog-jazz, is explored in some depth as the genre’s roots in the prog-rock and jazz-rock of the 1970s are examined to help explain just why groundbreaking bands such as WorldService Project and Troyka have exploded on to the scene. Taking their cue in the last decade from Polar Bear and Acoustic Ladyland and back in the 1970s from Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra, WorldService Project’s Dave Morecroft mulls the lineage with me and takes time, off-piste, to say hello to Giggles the clown, who may well take time out to listen to the show. Well Dave’s hoping. He goes on to explain the genre’s theatrical element and how the band went to Hull and back to add this extra band member to their extraordinary vision. A word of warning if you suffer from coulrophobia: caution is advised if you’re listening to tonight’s show. Chris Montague of Troyka muses about whether his genre-shredding organ trio actually gave birth to prog-jazz in the first place, and progressive rock guru Stuart Maconie offers his thoughts on just what prog meant to the rock scene back in the day. Never knowingly undersold with a taste for bizarre rococo flourishes, ambitious hugely long quasi-classical constructs of often mystifying intent, such suite dreams were ready made for today’s prog-jazzerati. Tune in at 11pm. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0375qly

Here’s the shout-out to Giggles who may have to listen on the iPlayer later in the week if a gig comes in https://soundcloud.com/bbcjazzon3/dave-morecroft-giggles-the