International Jazz Day 2026

Our celebrations for International Jazz Day took place Sunday 3rd May this year and we were incredibly proud to present an extra special series of shows to celebrate our unwavering affections for the genre with the team showcasing new and innovative global jazz music and artists while paying homage to the genre's icons, architects and labels.

You can now catch-up on every show we aired for the day via the following links and re-live the celebrations at your leisure.  We'd like to extend a massive thank you to the phenomenal Blue-in-Green:RADIO team who went above and beyond, delivering some spectacular shows!

With Chicago as this year's host city, we start the day with an I-N-F-(((o)))-C-U-S episode celebrating the dynamic and progressive jazz of the city's own #InternationalAnthemRecordings.  Founded in 2014, the revered Chicago-based record label has gone on to achieve phenomenal success since its inception.  while presenting an incredible front-line roster of innovative jazz talent, International Anthem has gifted listeners with some inspired, impassioned and spirited jazz releases, initially with a devoted lens on Chicago-based artists but has since gone on to champion burgeoning talent from the UK and South Africa.

Celebrate IJD with UK Vibe's Steve Williams who gifts us a special mix drawn from 4 decades of dedicated record collecting. This carefully curated selection journeys through the rich landscape of jazz, featuring vocal masters #CarmenLundy, #MarkMurphy & #DeeDeeBridgewater alongside instrumental greats including #WoodyShaw, #KennyBarron and #LouDonaldson. From Mose Allison's bluesy storytelling and Astrud Gilberto's Brazilian warmth to contemporary voices like the Mabon Dawud Quintet and Yes! Trio, the mix weaves together classic and modern, soulful and spiritual, familiar favourites and hidden gems. A heartfelt tribute to the music that's soundtracked a lifetime of listening.

The incredibly prolific DJ/producer and founder of Oioji Records, As Valet gifts us a sensational episode of Cosmic Radio that explores Caribbean jazz.  With Oioji Records consistently paying homage to its Caribbean roots, As Valet's indelible perspectives and far-ranging musical tastes provide fascinating insight for today's show.  Featuring music from #MariusCultier #RolandBrival #LucHubertSejor #MichelSardaby #JoweeOmicil + more...

Twistedsoul with Colin Smith.  Typically presenting selections through a broad sonic palette including cosmic soul, jazz fusion, ambient folk and left-field hip-hop, Colin's incredible selections tonight showcase some of his personal treasures through selections by emanative, Awen Ensemble, Ancient Infinity Orchestra, #Emanative #BenLaMarGay #CarlosNino #DonCherry + more.

In conversation with Tim "Chiminyo" Doyle.  As a key component to leading ensembles including Maisha, Cykada, Your Brother's Keeper and Uniri, Tim leads the charge for progressive and club-centric jazz and electronic fusion most aptly through his NRG series.  With NRG #5 now available through Bandcamp, Tim joins us from his current tour to discuss the NRG series, the ideals of improvisation, life as an independent musician plus the upcoming Your Brother's Keeper project with Gary Bartz. 

Futuristica Radio with Simon S.  Founded by Simon S in 2006 and swiftly launching their inaugural project - 'Strangers to the Ordinary' by Low Budget Soul - Futuristica Music would go on to release a slew of genre-defining and genre-defying projects from world class names in jazz, neo-soul and hip-hop.  With the label now reaching the milestone of its 20th year in 2026, DJ, producer and label founder Simon Skolfield explores the jazzier side of the future soul label's catalogue with some phenomenal music from #DeborahJordan #Stark #Rise #PeterFranks #JazzChronicles #GeorgieSweet + more...

Sounds of Gravity with a Cat Called FRITZ.  This episode is dedicated to record labels ECM (Edition of Contemporary Music) et JAPO (Jazz by Post). German independent labels co-founded by producer Manfred Eicher, Manfred Scheffner and Karl Egger in Munich in 1969.  The respective catalogues each possess a very distinctive identity, ranging from jazz to Western classical music, including contemporary world music.  A very European jazz bias, but rich in contemplative atmosphere and some gems that truly stand out.  This mix mainly covers their releases from the 70s with artists like #RobinKenyatta #JanGarbarek #JohnAbercrombie #JackDeJohnette #RalphTowner #TetjeRypdal #MiroslavVitous #ManfredSchoofQuintet #KeithJarrett #GaryBurton #ArtEnsembleOfChicago… and many more.