Jazz

Sun Ra and his Arkestra are best known for their avant-garde explorations into Afro-futurism, but before they went in that direction they were a tight traditional big band, with a sound somewhere… Audio

On this week’s Nashville Babylon Mark has birthday tunes for reggae legends Desmond Dekker and Gregory Isaacs, new music from Cajun King Tommy McLain and New Zealand’s Jenny Mitchell, plus classics… Audio

The Bay of Plenty gave NZ its first ever jazz recording in 1930, and it's still putting out jazz legends. Audio

Nick checks out music from the exciting young trumpet player Christian Scott, as well as classics from Miles Davis, Melba Liston, and Zoot Sims. Audio

On this week's Nashville Babylon Mark has a birthday tune for Jack White, gospel from the Golden Gate Quartet, classic RnB courtesy of Wilson Pickett plus reggae from Horace Andy. Audio

The Wellington suburb of Karori is so hip that even the postie is a jazz musician. Nick Tipping takes us on a journey through Karori's hidden jazz community. Audio

In Bill Evans' album Portrait in Jazz, Scott LaFaro's bass playing moved from its traditional accompanying role to be an equal partner with Bill Evans' piano. In doing so it helped redefine the piano… Audio

On this week's Nashville Babylon Mark has classic reggae from the Gladiators, soul from Esther Phillips, Nancy Sinatra covering the Stones plus new music from Tom Webber and New Zealand's T-Bone. Audio

Mark has a birthday tune for Mick Jones of the Clash, previews live dates from George Thorogood and Billy Bragg, plays classic soul courtesy of James and Bobby Purify, English folk from the Smoke… Audio

In his new book, Let's Do It: The Birth of Pop, Bob Stanley, who is a member of English indie/dance crossover band Saint Etienne, tells the definitive story of the birth of Pop music, from 1900… Audio

On this week’s Nashville Babylon Mark has birthday tunes for Paul McCartney and Nick Drake, soul from Dusty Springfield and Etta James, more from Steve Earle’s latest album 'Jerry Jeff' plus a trio of… Audio

On this week's Nashville Babylon Mark has birthday tunes for Harry Nilsson, reggae courtesy of Dawn Penn, Canvey Island blues from Dr Feelgood plus classics from Judee Sill and Neko Case. Audio

You might have heard names like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Billie Holiday, but for many jazz can seem like an intimidating genre to plunge into. But where do you start? RNZ's resident jazzman Nick… Audio

In 'Listening to Kenny G,' director Penny Lane traces the saxophonist's rise from his start as a high school musician in Seattle through to the current day, highlighting what makes him tick and why… Audio

On this week’s show Mark has birthday tunes for Curtis Mayfield and John Fogerty, new music courtesy of Tommy McLain, a reggae smash from Joya Landis, plus all time classics from Robert Wyatt and Tony… Audio

On this week’s show Mark has new music from New Zealand’s Miles Calder and Hemi Hemmingway, classics from Robert Palmer and Lowell George, a soul smash courtesy of Ann Peebles plus a birthday tune for… Audio

On this week's show Mark has blues from Billie Holiday and John Lee Hooker, reggae courtesy of Marcia Griffiths, a classic cut from the Clash and Ranking Roger, a brace of tracks from Bob Dylan and… Audio

Drawing from his experiences marching in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Auckland, composer and saxophonist Callum Passells & his ensemble LCR present a new suite exploring the… Video, Audio

On Fergus' list tongiht, 1. Lady Blackbird, 'Lost and Looking' 4:22, from 'Black Acid Soul' (Foundation/BMG 2021) 2. Cécile McLorin Salvant, 'Ghost Song' 3:22, from 'Ghost Song' (Nonesuch 2022) 3… Video, Audio

On this week's show Mark has soul from Bettye Swann, reggae courtesy of the Slickers, mod jazz from Jimmy Smith plus classics from Big Star, Van Morrison, John Martyn plus Sandy Denny and Fairport… Audio