Media UK

100.4 JAZZFM

100.4 JAZZFM was a North West-wide commercial radio station, playing a mix of soul and jazz music, acquired by the Guardian Media Group in 2003, along with its sister station in London, 102.2 JAZZFM. It could also be heard on the North West DAB MXR multiplex.

It began life on as Jazz FM North West on 1st September 1994, launched by Radio Investments Ltd, and saw its brand change several times, in step with its London counterpart, including an unsuccessful relaunch to JFM, which prompted the station's original name to be reinstated. For the majority of its life, most of Jazz FM's programming was networked between the stations; with each station producing local breakfast and drivetime shows.

Like its London sister station, 100.4 JAZZFM failed to find favour amongst jazz fans, due to its reluctance to play what they viewed as 'real jazz', instead relying on a more commercial-friendly mix of soul and smooth jazz during daytime hours. Pure jazz shows proved less popular in the North West than in London, and following research that showed listeners were deterred from trialling the station due to its name, GMG took the decision to rebrand the station as 100.4 Smooth FM. 100.4 JAZZFM closed on 13th February 2004.

Later presenters included Andy Crane, Chris Best, Steve Quirk and Steve Collins.