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 classical music, or focussing on a particular genre, composer, instrument, or theme.

You can receive a detailed program each month by subscribing to our newsletter or 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?

New in Jazz – 11 December

11 December at 6.00 PM

Join Dave Anthony for the first of our New in Jazz shows for December when we kick off with a shuffling swinging piano piece from Aaron Parks, young Newcastle born saxophonist Tessie Overmyer surrounded by Sydney’s Jazz elite from her debut album, another young player, Italian pianist Alessandro Lanzini with his take on Black and Tan Fantasy and one of the “finest musicians in Montreal” pianist Kate Wyatt…….and plenty more AND…. 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 “Jazz Encounters”.

Ladies of Modern Jazz – 21 December

21 December at 12 Noon

The first hour of Jazz Lunch on this Sunday will be featuring female jazz artists of the modern era –including singer Judy Wexler with an old favourite, the powerhouse vocals from Catherine Russell, where she dives deep into the music of the 1920s and brings it to life with energy, style, and a whole lot of soul, from her aptly named album “Delight”, pianist Dawn Clement with a Thelonious Monk tune reworked and the delightful voice of U.K’s Emma Smith on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams…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 Ladies of Modern Jazz– or Jazz Lunch or on the app – https://communityradio.plus/ go to Jazz Encounters or also Jazz Lunch

Jazz at 4 – 25 December

25 December at 4.00 PM

Spice up your Christmas day = or catch up later as you recover with 2 hours of Modern Jazz with dave Anthony where we lead off with a quiet but groove laden piece from the U.K. with Vega Trails, but before long a couple of Christmassy tunes featuring singer Kurt Elling then, a little more spicy with Rene Marie, the cool voice of Norah Jones, a more spiritual approach with 2 tunes from saxophonist Charles Lloyd, another saxophonist turned bassist for this album, Dayna Stephens with tune about a Turkey and local saxophonist Johnny Turner from his quintet’s new album…a heaps more AND..join Dave Anthony at 4pm or, to listen after, go to https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ and go to “Jazz at 4 and 5” or download the app – https://communityradio.plus/ and go to “Afternoon Jazz”.

New in Jazz – 25 December

25 December at 6.00 PM

Join Dave Anthony for the second of our New in Jazz shows for December where we look back at a selection of new release from 2025 including Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu with his homage to Miles Davis, guitarist from Canada Jocelyn Gould with a gently swinging composition of her own, saxophonist Branford Marsalis from his much praised interpretation of a Keith Jarret album, local stars The Exhibits from their 2025 album and bassist Neil Miner with tenor saxophonist Chris Byars in a bluesy mood…and plenty more again…. 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 “Jazz Encounters”.