May the Fourth Be With You: Celebrate Star Wars With Jazz Music
Contents
May the Fourth Be With You: Celebrate Star Wars With Jazz Music
Introduction
May the Fourth Be With You: Celebrate Star Wars With Jazz Music
The fourth of May has come to be known as “Star Wars Day” among fans of the iconic science fiction franchise. The date was chosen for its connection to the classic quote, “May the Force be with you.”
For Star Wars Day this year, we’re celebrating with a special jazz playlist. Music has always played an important role in the Star Wars films, from John Williams’ unforgettable scores to the cantina band in the original 1977 film.
Jazz has been a part of Star Wars from the very beginning. In an interview with NPR, composer John Williams said that he was inspired by jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman when scoring the first film.
“I tried to imagine what kind of music these creatures in this tavern might be playing,” Williams said. “And so I wrote a kind of ragtime piano piece which was meant to sound like it was being performed by some’, you know, unsavory characters.”
Here’s our jazz playlist for May the Fourth:
“Cantina Band” by John Williams
“Mos Eisley Spaceport” by Thelonious Monk Quartet
“Binary Sunset (Sunset on Tatooine)” by Miles Davis
“Jedi Steps and Finale” by John Williams
“Duel of the Fates” by John Williams
“The Throne Room (End Title)” by John Williams
The History of Star Wars Day
It all started with a pun. In 1979, the British newspaper The London Evening News ran an advert congratulating Margaret Thatcher on becoming the UK’s Prime Minister with the headline “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.” The date? May 4th, of course.
The first recorded use of the phrase “May the Fourth Be With You” was in an article published in the Chicago Tribune on May 4th, 1980, which used it as a headline to celebrate the opening of The Empire Strikes Back.
Since then, “May the Fourth Be With You” has been widely used by Star Wars fans to celebrate their shared love for all things Jedi, Sith, Wookiee, and droid-related. In 2012, even U.S. Congress got in on the fun, issuing a formal congressional tribute to STAR WARS on May 4th.
So how did “May the Fourth Be With You” become an official holiday? That can be traced back to Toronto in 2011. On that date, members of the 501st Legion—an international fan-based organization dedicated to celebrating STAR WARS through costumed charity and volunteer work—marched in Toronto’s annual Parade of Lost Souls. Inspired by this show of Force, Shawn Sullivan and Alice Quinn created The Toronto stART Wars Society (TSW)
How to Celebrate Star Wars Day
Jazz music and the “Star Wars” franchise have more in common than you might think. Both are American art forms that have been heavily influenced by African-American culture, and both have spawned a devoted global following. So what better way to celebrate the annual Star Wars Day holiday than by jamming out to some swinging tunes inspired by a galaxy far, far away?
Here are four jazz albums that will help you get your lightsaber groove on this May the Fourth:
1. “The Empire Strikes Bop” by Dexter Gordon (Blue Note, 1952)
2. “Mingus Moves” by Charles Mingus (Atlantic, 1960)
3. “The Falcon and the Snowman” by John Coltrane (Impulse!, 1963)
4. “A Love Supreme” by Pharaoh Sanders (Impulse!, 1965)
Star Wars Day Activities for Kids
May the Fourth be with you! On this Star Wars Day, celebrate with some fun activities for the kiddos. Have a light saber battle, make some homemade droid crafts, or bake some star wars cookies. Then, put on some relaxing jazz music to set the mood. Here are some of our favorite tracks to help get you started.
Star Wars Day Activities for Adults
May the Fourth be with you!
The day has finally arrived for all you Star Wars fans out there. In honor of the iconic Movie Franchise, we’ve put together a list of activities for all you adults to celebrate this momentous occasion. So whether you’re looking to channel your inner Jedi or just want to relax and enjoy some incredible jazz music, we’ve got you covered.
1. Visit a Local Museum or Art Gallery
Many museums and art galleries offer free admission on Star Wars Day. So take advantage of this and immerse yourself in some culture. You never know, you might just find a new favorite artist or piece of art.
2. Make Your Own Lightsaber
You can never have too many lightsabers. Celebrate Star Wars Day by making your very own lightsaber. All you need is a few supplies from your local hardware store and voila! You’ll be dueling in no time.
3. Have a Movie Marathon
What better way to celebrate than by rewatching all your favorite Star Wars movies? Invite some friends over, make some popcorn, and get ready for a marathon of epic proportions. May the force be with you!
Conclusion
In conclusion, May the Fourth is the perfect time to celebrate all things Star Wars, including the amazing jazz music that has been inspired by the franchise. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to swing to the sounds of John Williams, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington!
