Jane Cornwell

Journalist, writer, critic, host.

Informed, engaging writing and copywriting on music, arts, culture and travel by established journalist. Feature interviews a speciality. Books, broadcasting, lecturing, hosting… Let me help you broaden your readership, enliven your event.

Australian-born, London-based, I write for major newspapers and online platforms in the UK and Australia. I have been the jazz critic and world music critic for the London Evening Standard, am a contributing editor of Songlines magazine, a go-to freelancer for the likes of News Limited and Fairfax and a writer of books, press releases, programme notes and copy for a wide range of clients. I’m a compere and onstage interviewer at festivals including WOMAD and the EFG London Jazz Festival.

In 2019 I completed a highly regarded Masters degree in Global Creative and Cultural Industries (Distinction) at SOAS, University of London. My dissertation on the resurgence of jazz music in London – ‘Jazz Refreshed? A Contemporary Jazz Phenomenon’ – involved research, interviews, robust arguments and new ideas. While in Melbourne in 2021 I was writer-in-residence for Yarra Ranges Council. In July 2022 I won the Jazz Media Award at the UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards. I have since compered Higher Ground: A Night with Patti Smith at the London Palladium, the D&B Soundscape stage at the WOMAD festival, the Forum talks stage at Wilderness festival and venues including the Barbican, Cadogan Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall for the EFG London Jazz Festival. I was a member of the 2023 Moods Jazzpreis Jury in Zurich. Switzerland. Highlights of 2024 so far include compering the Songlines 25th Anniversary concert at the Barbican, chatting about Louis Armstrong at Love Supreme festival and compering the Soundscape stage at WOMAD.

Who Am I?

Music Critic

I was the jazz critic for the London Evening Standard – now the London Standard – from 2014, and one of that newspaper’s two world music critics for over a decade. I’m a contributing editor of the global music magazine Songlines, and for Australia I write about music and the arts for The Weekend Australian Review, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and more.

Evening Standard

Music Reviews

Music Interviews

The Whirl

A fearless and funny quest for love, connection and a faithful man who can dance, The Whirl is also one woman’s journey through music and subcultures. From acid house raves in London to salsa in Cuba, from reggae to pan pipes, Sufi trance to Womad, it’s a peek into other ways of being and a tribute to music’s power to heal, inspire and transport.

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Broadcasting

I’m regularly invited onto radio programmes to discuss the latest CD releases, review books, or chat about music, arts and travel. In the past I’ve appeared on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, ABC National, Live TV and many other radio and TV stations.

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Events and Hosting

Whether it’s chairing panel talks, interviewing artists onstage, compering events, doing lectures in travel and music journalism or public speaking, I aim to keep things relaxed, fun and informative. Want me to programme an event? Teach some PR skills? Hold a creative writing workshop?

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