Top 10 Jazz Songs of All Time

A look at the top 10 jazz songs of all time according to experts in the field.

Introduction

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime.

A major development during the early 20th century was the birth of jazz instrumentalism. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) helped to promote jazz by establishing new bands dedicated to playing it across the United States. Jelly Roll Morton’s “Black Bottom Stomp” became a hit in 1924, but it was Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five recordings for Okeh Records starting in 1925 that really brought jazz to wider attention. Armstrong was a master trumpeter and improviser,shaping his own approach to melody within various harmonic frameworks. His distinctive sound helped make him one of the most influential figures in jazz history.

“So What” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’ “So What” is one of the most popular and well-known jazz songs of all time. The tune was first recorded by Miles Davis on the album Kind of Blue in 1959, and has since been covered countless times by other artists. “So What” is a perfect example of modal jazz, a style of jazz that Miles Davis was instrumental in developing. The song features a simple, catchy melody that is played over a repeating chord progression, making it easy for even beginning jazz musicians to learn and play.

“Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis

“Kind of Blue” is a studio album by Miles Davis, released on August 17, 1959. The album features “So What”, “Freddie Freeloader”, “Blue in Green”, and “All Blues”. It is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential jazz records of all time.

“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck

“Take Five” is a jazz instrumental composed by Paul Desmond and originally performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet on the album Time Out in 1959. Called “the definitive cool jazz piece”, it features a saxophone solo by Desmond over piano, bass, and drums. It is in 5/4 time, making it unusual for a pop song, and is one of the most recognizable jazz standards. It was released as a single in 1962 and peaked at No. 25 on Billboard’s Easy Listening survey. The combined sales of the Brubeck quartet’s studio albums surpassed 5 million copies in 1968.

“A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane

“A Love Supreme” is a composition by jazz musician John Coltrane, released in 1965. It is a four-part suite consisting of “Acknowledgement”, “Resolution”, “Pursuance”, and “Psalm”. It is considered to be one of the most important pieces of jazz music ever recorded, and has been highly influential to both jazz musicians and music critics.

“My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane

“My Favorite Things” is a tune written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for their musical The Sound of Music. It was introduced by Mary Martin in the original Broadway production in 1959. The song has been covered by many artists, but the version by John Coltrane is widely considered to be the definitive version.

Released in 1961, Coltrane’s version is a masterclass in Jazz improvisation. Clocking in at just over 13 minutes, the song features some of Coltrane’s most inventive and inspired playing. His solo is a tour de force, effortlessly weaving together elements of Bebop, Hard Bop, and modal Jazz. The result is a timeless classic that ranks among the greatest Jazz recordings of all time.

“Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is one of the most important and influential jazz musicians of all time. He is a master of many genres, but he is best known for his work in jazz fusion. “Maiden Voyage” is one of Hancock’s most famous and iconic pieces. It was composed in 1965 and released on his album, Maiden Voyage.

“Maiden Voyage” is a perfect example of Hancock’s unique style. The composition is based on a simple, repeating melody that grows more complex as the song progresses. The arrangement features a wide range of instruments, including electric piano, drums, bass, and horns. The result is a truly innovative and timeless piece of music.

“Blue in Green” by Bill Evans

“Blue in Green” is a jazz standard composed by Miles Davis and recorded in 1959. The song appeared on the Miles Davis album Kind of Blue and has been covered by many artists since then.

“Blue in Green” is a slow, melodic ballad played in 3/4 time. The tune features a minor key melody with a descending chord progression. Bill Evans’ piano playing is particularly notable on this track, with his use of space and dynamics creating a sense of tension and release.

Miles Davis’ recording of “Blue in Green” has been cited as one of the best examples of his lyrical style of playing. The tune has also been praised for its beauty and sad, longing quality.

“All Blues” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’ “All Blues” is a 12-bar blues composition recorded by Miles Davis Quintet on their 1959 album Kind of Blue. It is the sixth track on the album and features Miles Davis on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone, Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on double bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums.

“All Blues” is one of the most popular jazz standards and has been recorded by many artists. The melody is based on a 12-bar blues progression and features a number of modulation’s including a brief excursion to the key of D-flat in the final bar. The solo sections are based on the chord progression and each instrument takes turns improvising over the changes.

The tune was originally entitled “Blue Haze” but was renamed “All Blues” at Miles Davis’ request.

“Round Midnight” by Thelonious Monk

“Round Midnight” is a 1944 composition by jazz musician Thelonious Monk. It is one of the most recorded jazz standards of all time. It has been covered by artists such as Miles Davis, Tony Bennett, and Diana Krall.

Thelonious Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer who was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was known for his unique improvisational style and for his use of dissonance and angular melodies. “Round Midnight” is one of his best-known compositions, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

Miles Davis was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader who was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was known for his innovative approach to music and for his collaborations with other leading jazz musicians. Miles Davis recorded “Round Midnight” in 1954, and his version is considered to be one of the best recordings of the song.

Tony Bennett is an American singer who has been active since the 1950s. He is known for his smooth vocal style and for his interpretations of classic standards. Bennett recorded “Round Midnight” in 1986, and his version reached number one on the Billboard Jazz charts.

Diana Krall is a Canadian singer and pianist who has been active since the 1990s. She is known for her distinctive vocal style and her interpretations of popular standards. Krall recorded “Round Midnight” in 2002, and her version won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.