It’s Jazz Appreciation Month! Since first emerging out of America’s Deep South in the late 19th century, the sound has wowed the world in exciting ways. Jazz comes in all shapes, sizes and sounds, from Bossa Nova to the renaissance of UK Jazz in the present day. It’s so dynamic that it adapts to its environment, wherever it might be. As a result, there are endless possibilities for what the genre can be and sound like.
To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, we’ve searched our platform to compile a list of some of our favorite moments of brilliance from the sound heard around the globe.
Scroll down and listen in.
Barry Andy – #ChilloutSession 7 – Jazz 1
Londoner and multi-genre specialist Barry Andy presents the seventh edition of his Chillout Session series and it’s packed with Jazz legends. With songs by John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Nat ‘King’ Cole, Jazz heads know they’ll be in for a treat. This is one for the fans of the classic era of the genre.
Haus – Rewired Part 2
Dutchman Haus pays tribute to the genre of Acid Jazz in part two of his Rewired series. The result is an education on this exciting subgenre set to funky, upbeat rhythms. The mix features a number of tracks released by the Talkin Loud record label, founded by Gilles Peterson in 1990. You can’t go wrong with that!
Journey Without Maps – Ethiopian Jazz #7
Ethiopia is a serious musical heavyweight around the world, and it’s Jazz scene is no different. Home to the likes of Mulatu Astatke, Menelik Wossenachew and countless others, it has left a serious imprint on other genres. Think of musicians such as Nas and Damian Marley have utilized ethio-Jazz in their own tracks. Washington’s Journey Without Maps digs deep with this set, exploring the richness and musical flair of the sound at large.
NTS Radio – Tara Lily: Shakti Jazz – 4th April 2024
British Bengali musician and selector Tara Lily recently stopped by NTS Radio to open the door to spirituality. On her one hour programme, she explores the fusion between ancient Indian classical music and more spiritual Jazz. Focusing on improvisation, she plays classics from the 1960s, modern releases and rare live recordings.
Chef Bruce’s Jazz Kitchen – Music From The Smooth Jazz Kitchen – Next Level
Specializing in the finest of Jazz, Chef Bruce’s Jazz Kitchen delivers vibes to smoothen out your day. Ranging from Nu-Jazz to Cool Jazz, this mix will relax you to no end. Expect rhythms by Jesse Thompson, Eric Knight, Steve Cole and more.
Imani – Rare Groove Mix 2
Imani takes us on a one-way trip across the globe with her jazzy selection. You can hear everything from Samba, Latin Jazz and some Acid in between. At just under 30 minutes, the mix is short and sweet, with serious emphasis on the sweet. An instant mood shifter, press play if you’re ready to tap your feet.
Balamii – Through The Motions: A UK Jazz Dance Part 1 w/ Shadeda – April 2024
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the Jazz Dance movement was born in the UK, a style of dance set to the harder tones of Jazz at the time. Developed in venues such as London’s Electric Ballroom, it paid tribute to Jazz rhythms of the past while bringing the sound into the present day through dance. This era is celebrated in the latest episode of Through The Motions on Balamii Radio.
Dario Barollo – Il Mixofono – Blue Note Trip
The importance of Blue Note Records to Jazz music shouldn’t be underestimated. It has been at the forefront of the genre for close to a century, releasing albums by legends such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Art Blakey just to name a few. Italian radio host Dario Barollo creates a mix that puts the artists that have worked with the label front and center.