Julita Witt is a Polish-born radio presenter for JazzArabia, which in addition to being available online, broadcasts live from inside the restaurant P& C by Sergi Arola at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi. Here, she explains her music origins and more about the radio station's concept.
The first record I ever bought was The Doors by The Doors. I was 13 at the time, and it is still one of my favourite records. It was a special moment going into the record store in Berlin to buy it, then coming home to play it for my friends.
My first radio programme was the evening programme on JazzRadio Berlin, the only 24/7FM jazz station in Germany. A friend of mine worked for the station, and she introduced me. I am an actor by background, and they said I had a good voice for broadcasting. But I also had to learn how to operate the studio technically and how to speak to our listeners. A lot of people listen on their own — it's a very close and trusting relationship.
The jazz song/album that made me want to work with in the genre was When I Look In Your Eyes by Diana Krall. It just knocked me out when I heard it. It won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal. It is so beautiful and full of quiet passion. She is also one of those artists who have made jazz more accessible to a wider audience — Michael Bublé is another.
Jazz makes me feel peaceful, romantic, happy, sad, soulful — the whole range of human emotions. Like all the best music.
The idea of JazzArabia at P& C by Sergi Arola is two-fold. We provide wonderful jazz music to dine to, introduced by a live presenter from our studio actually within the restaurant, which is certainly unique in Abu Dhabi. The restaurant patrons love it. We have had so many compliments. JazzArabia also broadcasts 24-hours a day worldwide on the internet. You can download the app. It blends the best of Arabic jazz with mainstream, Latin and soul jazz. It is actually the first station of its kind in the whole of the Arab world, and we are very proud of that. We also want to provide an on-air showcase for the Shangri-La Hotel and the wonderful city of Abu Dhabi. I've fallen in love with it.
When I'm not on air, I like to swim, practice yoga, read good stories, go to the cinema, listen to new records, play the guitar, sing, dance and hang out with friends.
Listen to JazzArabia online at www.jazzarabia.com, via its iOS app or at the restaurant P& C by Sergi Arola at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi (for reservations, call 02 509 8777).
