Spotlight on Heritage: Steve Beverly – A Lifelong Relationship with Jazz

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In this episode of Spotlight on Heritage, John Coster is joined by Steve Beverly for a reflective conversation about music, memory, and the role jazz has played in shaping both personal identity and local culture.

Steve has been part of Leicester’s music and broadcasting scene for many years. His involvement with jazz goes back to his early days on community radio, and he continues to share his passion through his regular jazz show and informal vinyl listening nights. The discussion takes a relaxed and thoughtful tone, exploring how Steve first came to jazz, the influence of radio presenters like Gilles Peterson, and the steady growth of a record collection that now shapes how he engages with music.

The conversation moves between past and present, touching on memories of live events, the challenges of organising music nights in Leicester, and the role of listening as a shared experience. There’s also an honest look at how tastes change over time, and how jazz, often misunderstood or seen as niche, can take on new meaning depending on where and how it is heard.

Rather than focusing only on big names or well-known venues, the episode highlights the everyday ways people connect with music – from a favourite record played at home to a quiet set in a local bar. Steve’s approach is unassuming, and he talks about broadcasting not as a performance, but as a way of sharing music that matters to him in the hope that it resonates with others.

This episode offers a useful insight into how music, particularly jazz, is not only something to be listened to but something that becomes part of how we remember, relate and build communities. It’s a conversation that values curiosity, personal experience, and the quieter forms of cultural engagement.

Spotlight on Heritage continues to explore how local lives are shaped by cultural practices, and how stories of the past and present remain closely connected.