Courtney Pine

No musician embodies more the dramatic transformation in the British jazz scene over the past thirty years than Courtney Pine.

His debut album, Journey To The Urge Within in 1987, was the first serious jazz album ever to make the British Top 40, notching up sales to qualify for a silver disc.

Aside from being the preeminent figure in the resurgence of British jazz, the saxophonist became a renowned presenter and broadcaster, best known for his long running radio show for BBC Radio 2, 'Jazz Crusade'.

He was also awarded an O.B.E in the 2000 New Year's Honours by the late Queen, and was also made a C.B.E in 2009 for services to Music.

As an artist always looking to work outside of, and across established musical genres, it is easier to list the musicians and artists he hasn't worked with, and styles he hasn't fused with jazz with his varied and eclectic compositions ranging from funk tinged foot tappers, to beautiful and tender ballads, with a deep emphasis on spirituality.