Ken Bruce is to present a four-part Saturday night series throughout September on Jazz FM looking at the role of the jazz drummer.

Ken has a passion for drumming and jazz drummers as he plays in a band himself.

The series, Ken Bruce on Drums, will give recognition to the job of the jazz drummer over the life of the genre, from the pioneers in hardbop and bebop (in an episode called Bop Masters) and the likes of Buddy Rich, Gene Kruper and Mel Lewis (in an episode called The Greatest Hitters), plus funk, fusion and today’s new generation of British players.

In each episode, Simple Minds drummer – and a jazz fusion drummer himself – Mel Gaynor will join Ken to give him a drum lesson looking at the various styles with live examples at the drum kit.

Also featuring in the series will be archive audio from Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Art Blakey Geoff Hayden, Moses Boyd, Steve Gadd, Cindy Blackman Santana and many more, plus examples of jazz drummers on record from across the decades.

Ken says: “You have no idea how excited I am at moving studios at Bauer Media to work with the team at Jazz FM on this series.  As a fan of jazz and a (questionable) drummer myself, these programmes really are a dream come true where I can explore these two passions with the listeners.

“Not only am I looking forward to playing some very different music than I am used to playing on Greatest Hits Radio, but also I cannot wait to learn about the story of drumming and the various forms of it from the superb Mel Gaynor to enlighten us all and make me a better drummer!”

Jazz FM Content Director Nick Pitts commented: “The conversation with Ken about creating a series for him and his passion for jazz drumming started last year and I’m really pleased that between his busy schedule presenting his daily Greatest Hits Radio show and PopMaster TV we found a time for him to get his sticks out and do this deep dive into the anthology of jazz drumming.

“I’m also really excited for the listeners to see another side of Ken Bruce, really getting passionate about an unexpected love of our genre.  Welcome to Jazz FM Ken!”

Ken Bruce on Drums will air on Jazz FM from Saturday 7th until 28th September between 9-10pm.