Jonny Layton

The Saturday Soulmine
Weekly, Saturday 8-10am
Soul, Funk, Jazz, Afro House, Boogaloo

I was born at a very young age in East London and grew up on the Thames Riviera otherwise known as Canvey Island! I was lucky to be exposed to all things soulful and jazzy early on with Mose Allison, King Pleasure, Astrud Gilberto, Zoot Money, Louis Jordan, Barry White and Georgie Fame blasting from the family Radiogram! From just 15, I was a regular at Canvey’s Gold Mine hosted by the Godfather Chris Hill with Tom Holland, Jeff Young, Froggy, Bob Jones and others. Caister followed soon after!

DJing started in 1981 and highlights include Pubs and Clubs such as Shades Canvey (with Greg Edwards), Kings Club Canvey, The Gold Mine Canvey, The Old Windmill Hanningfield (with Gary Dennis), Sam Lords (Benfleet), Turtle Bay (Southend) and Peers Nightclub Southend (with Dr Bob Jones).

Radio-wise, The Saturday Soulmine started in 2009 alongside a continuing club night called “Soul by the Jetty” and managed to win the ‘Best UK Soul Club outside London’ continuously between 2011-2019.

I joined the Caister DJ team in 2009 (led by Chris Hill) and indulged musically with specialist sets including ‘Bongo Beats’, ‘Boogaloo Beats’, ‘Jazz Juice’ and alongside main room right up until the weekender’s closure in 2020. I was also a regular at Margate Soul Weekend, alongside Kent Soul Sessions, Essex Funkers, Soul Reunited, Soul Fiesta, Killer Soul, Papillion, Brighton Beach Party and many more.

So pleased to join the team at TWR and on The Saturday Soulmine you’ll hear a wide spectrum of new and retro Soul, Jazz, Funk, Trip Hop, Soulful & Afro House, Cuban & Latin, early-80’s grooves and Brit Funk, alongside Blue Note, 60’s R&B and more – hope to have the pleasure of your company…