Jazz

Jazz Music on 5mbs

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime.

Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major form of musical expression in traditional and popular music, linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage.

Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, complex chords, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in European harmony and African rhythmic rituals.

Here at Radio 5mbs, our passionate presenters curate many programs each month, each one sampling a cross section of jazz music, or focussing on a particular genre, composer, instrument, or theme.

You can view information about jazz programs each month by visiting our Program Guide page.

Featured Album

Vampires – Nightjar

Another great album from saxophonist Jeremy Rose’s band The Vampires, this time with special guest, The Necks pianist Chris Abrahams.

What's On

Listen to your faves

Jazz Articles

Clint Eastwood and Jazz – from Denis Wall

Clint Eastwood, as we all know, is an American actor, film director and producer. You

May 31, 2022

What's Interesting this month?

Jazz at 4 – 16 April

16 April at 4.00 PM

Join Dave Anthony for an adventure in Modern Jazz from the latter part of the 20th and the 21st Century so far – We kick off with a foot tapping one from a piano trio led by bassist Maciej Kitajewski, some of the coolest sax from U.K’s Iain Ballamy, singer Kurt Elling with a vocal version of Moose The Mooche, some exquisite trumpet from local trumpeter Luke White with a stellar band, pianist Joe Chindamo with an old favourite revamped ….. and plenty more AND – – if you miss the show you can hear it when you like, on the net at – https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ go to “Jazz at 4 and 5” or on the app https://communityradio.plus/ go to 5mbs then – Afternoon Jazz

Ladies of Modern Jazz – 19 April

19 April at 12 PM

The first hour of Jazz Lunch on this Sunday will be featuring female jazz artists of the modern era –including from the U.K singer Sarah L King’s second album, a joyous journey of uplifting groove-led jazz, with a funk and soul singer-songwriter vibe, young saxophonist from Sydney Tessie Overmyer, local singer Catherine Lambert with clarinettist/saxophonist Andy Firth…and more too …AND – if you miss the show you can hear it when you like, on the net at – https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ go to Ladies of Modern Jazz– or Jazz Lunch or on the app – go to or type in 5mbs -https://communityradio.plus/ go to Jazz Encounters or also Jazz Lunch And for more Jazz Lunch – New in Jazz follows at 1pm.

New in Jazz – 30 April

30 April at 6.00 PM

On the last of our New in Jazz shows for April we kick off with a trio led by bassist Clovis Nicolas with Larry Goldings on piano and a Wes Montgomery classic, from a much acclaimed new album from saxophonist Walter Smith 111, some cool trumpet from Bria Skonberg, we venture a little out there with cellist Tomeka Reid ……..and plenty more … Join Dave Anthony at 6 or, to listen after, go to https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ and go to “New in Jazz” or download the app – https://communityradio.plus/ and go to 5mbs then “Jazz Encounters”.