Jorja Smith and Celeste to launch mood-led shows on BBC Radio 3

Brit Award winning singer-songwriters Jorja Smith and Celeste are to host two series of mood-led music show on BBC Radio 3.

The shows will include emotive music with its comforting and therapeutic benefits to lift the mood and soothe the soul.

Mood-led mixes of music have become more popular recently, particularly during the lockdown and these programmes will aim to help listeners through difficult times.

Tearjerker With Jorja Smith begins this Saturday and will be available on BBC Sounds, followed by Downtime Symphony with Celeste the following Saturday.

Jorja Smith, who has worked with the likes of Drake, Stormzy and Loyle Carner, will explore the healing powers of sad music, from piano classics such as Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven to the soothing electronica of artists like James Blake.

In her series Downtime Symphony, Celeste will play an hour of escapist music and down-tempo selections to help listeners unwind, from classically-infused house and hip-hop to choral music and jazz fusion.

BBC Radio 3 controller Alan Davey says: “We know that younger audiences are discovering orchestral and instrumental music through streaming cross-genre playlists and find it not only enjoyable and enriching, a time for discovery, but also relaxing and calming and helping to manage their moods.”

Jorja Smith says: “It’s important to try and find time to just let go and let music take you to a different place. I hope the music in my new series – from strings and piano to songs and soundtracks – will help you whatever you’re feeling, bring out different emotions and make you feel a little better. Presenting it made me feel a lot more relaxed too.”

Celeste says: “Separating work and relaxation is so important for creativity and wellness, now more than ever, so I’m delighted to be presenting a series which spotlights the best music for slowing down, filled with musical nostalgia and discovery.”

Tearjerker With Jorja Smith can be heard weekly on Radio 3 from this Saturday, 16 January at 5am and Downtime Symphony with Celeste will be on air from the following Saturday ,23 January at 6am. The programmes will all be available on BBC Sounds.