On his first Jazz Show for 2026, after opening with a classic mid-70's ECM opus from guitarist Ralph Towner, Def Jim offers a feast of Free Jazz and free-ish jazz to delight the auditory senses of those with open ears and perhaps a little courage. From seminal mid-80's works by legendary Detroit pioneers Griot Galaxy and friends (incidentally featured in the December 2025 edition of UK magazine The Wire) through drummer Gerry Hemingway's 90's European Quintet, an outstanding mid-noughties live cut from the second incarnation of David Liebman & Richie Beirach vehicle Quest to new and recent releases from veteran Chicago reedsman Henry Threadgill, Shaman-guitarist Tisziji Munoz and piano visionary Matthew Shipp, this Show has a tilt at freedom in all its guises. And then there's the tracks in between... all in all, true nourishment indeed for intrepid musical souls.

The ever eclectic hosts Lonely Buffalo (aka Chris F.) and Li'l Parsnip (aka DJ Sassy) go trip-hopping and acid-jazzing into 2026 with the final 95bFM Jazz Show on 95bFM.
Sassy's top picks for the week:

• Barry Adamson - Jazz Devil ... so HOT it gave me all the good vibes...wink!
• Air - Le Femme D' Argent ... oui oui!
• Darkstar - Hold Me Down ... this got a hold of me and I never want to let go
• Connan Mockasin - Momo's ... I want mo mo of this!
• James Carter / Cyrus Chestnut / Ali Jackson / Reginald Veal - Summer Babe ... brings out the ultimate summer babe in Sassy
• Mica Paris - Nothing Hits Your Heart Like Soul Music ... this hit my heart AND my soul!
• Mojave 3 - Got My Sunshine - this also warmed me up!

We also raised a glass to ALL the jazz show hosts with some epic Lyre's Spirit Co boozy g&teeze, and Plus & Minus Zero Alcohol Prosecco thanks to The Chiller...what better way to say adios to 2025?!?!

Frances Chan chats to German electronic meister Burnt Friedman in his home studio in rural Portugal about his selection of experimental jazz, and his creative processes with Atom Heart and legendary Can drummer Jaki Leibezeit. Burnt also mentions a few local luminaries he met during his visits to NZ in the late 90s/early 00s. Plus some Portuguese vibes and Christmasy cheer.

Playlist:
Luis Miguel – Santa Claus Llego a la Ciudad
Flanger – Options in the Fire 
Nuno Canavarro – Blu Terra
Bernardo Couto, Bernardo Moreira, Luis Figueiredo – Arabica
Flanger – Midnight Sound 
Nik Bärtsch & Ronin – Modul 47
Burnt Friedman - Octrahedal Spherical Caffuffle
Bohren and the Club of Gore – Constant Fear
Roland P. Young – Clutch
Carmen Souza – Ariope!
The Embassadors – Big Amen
Burnt Friedman, Jaki Liebezeit – Gulli Vereisen  
Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos – Circe  
John Coltrane – Spiritual
Burnt Friedman, Jaki Liebezeit – 130-09 
Yes – Soon
Ezra Collective – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Blind Mango Chutney is in the chair for HIS last show of the year. The O.G. takes the opportunity to hit you with some of the the festive jazz cuts lurking in his tote bag.

It's their last show for the year, so your hosts Miss Dom + Dr Mark Baynes review their favourite tracks and a few of their favourite shows from 2025.

Tune in for fine jazz and good korero.

Blind Mango Chutney takes you an another jazz journey taking in big band, big guitar, and a big, big gig at the Powerstation with London afro-funk septet Kokoroko.

Def Jim's Jazz Show this week features three personal favourites from the back catalogue of the tower of jazz drumming excellence that was the late Jack DeJohnette, a brand new release from the ever-interesting guitarist Nels Cline (think Wilco) and the latest find from his ongoing project to explore the 70s/80s work of saxophonist Chico Freeman. Plus, of course, a bunch of other quality album tracks from the past 50 years of recorded jazz, a couple of them very recent indeed. Play it, love it. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, friends & enemies, welcome to the 95bFM Jazz Show with your host, Blind Mango Chutney.

This Sunday, Blind Mango features Kokoroko, London/Nigerian band playing at the Powerstation on 26 November.

And a testimonial to long-serving former co-presenter of bFM Show The Audible World, Pim Gorter.

Brought to you by San Ray bistro in Ponsonby Rd.

Frances Chan delves into the Gilles Peterson universe ahead of his gig in Auckland on 14 Nov with studio guest Nathan Graves, JazzAuckland promoter and ex-Universal UK exec who regales with tales of Gilles and various acts on his record labels. Plus, we remember Jack DeJohnette and D’Angelo and a selection of classic vinyl and new releases.

It's the Return of Mango!

Yes, Blind Mango Chutney returns to the decks with a jazz appeciation of Summer & Spring.

He also marks the sad passing of drummer Jack DeJohnette, one of the greatest drummers in modern jazz, working with the likes of Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, & Miles Davis.

And he spins the very first jazz record that sold a million copies—and it's not what you think!

Listen in ....

It's the 95bFM Jazz Show, sponsored by San Ray.