5 Jazz Music Hits You Need to Know

Looking for some new and exciting jazz music to listen to? Check out these five hits that you need to know! From classic tracks to modern masterpieces, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Introduction to Jazz

Jazz is a musical genre that originated in the African-American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a genre of music that is characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and a strong blues influence. Jazz has had a significant impact on other genres of music, including rock and roll, pop, and hip hop. In this article, we will be discussing 5 popular jazz hits that you need to know.

What is Jazz?

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States. It originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz is seen by many as “America’s classical music”. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression.It then emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage with a performance orientation. 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, as well as European military band music. Intellectuals around the world have hailed jazz as “one of America’s original art forms”.

Jazz History

Originating in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jazz is a genre of music that is characterized by a syncopated rhythm, blue notes, and improvisation. Though it has roots in blues and Ragtime, jazz has developed into a unique style that has influenced musicians around the world. If you’re new to jazz, here are five popular songs that you should know.

“Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington
Ellington was one of the most influential figures in Jazz history, and “Mood Indigo” is one of his most popular songs. Known for its bluesy feel and memorable melody, this song has been covered by many artists over the years.

“All of Me” by Louis Armstrong
Armstrong was another giant in the world of Jazz, and “All of Me” is one of his most famous tunes. This cheerful tune was originally released in 1931 and has been covered numerous times since then.

“Summertime” by George Gershwin
Gershwin was a major composer in both the Jazz and Classical worlds, and “Summertime” is one of his most well-known pieces. This haunting ballad was written for the opera Porgy and Bess and has been performed by countless artists over the years.

“Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington
Written by Ellington’s long-time collaborator Billy Strayhorn, “Take the ‘A’ Train” is one of the most iconic pieces of Jazz music ever written. This up-tempo tune features a driving bass line and horn solos that will keep you toe-tapping all night long.

“‘Round Midnight” by Thelonious Monk
Monk was a highly influential Jazz pianist who helped to shape the sound of modern Jazz. “‘Round Midnight” is one of his best-known compositions, and its mournful melody has been covered by many artists over the years.

The Five Jazz Songs You Need to Know

Jazz music has been around for over a hundred years, and it’s still as popular as ever. If you’re new to the genre, or just looking to broaden your horizons, here are five essential jazz songs that you need to know.

“A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane

“A Love Supreme” is a jazz composition by saxophonist John Coltrane, released in 1965. The recording, which features Coltrane playing with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones, is a milestone of 20th-century jazz and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The composition is considered a hymn to God and is based on four themes: a recurrent motif based on the opening of “Ave Maria”; a bass line from George Gershwin’s “Summertime”; the first four notes of “Hackensack”, a blues recorded by Fats Waller; and the melodic fragment “Supreme”.

Coltrane’s biographer, Ashley Kahn, wrote that “A Love Supreme” was Coltrane’s “personal declaration of faith”, and that it was his attempt to leave behind a document that would be representative of his spiritual awakening.

“So What” by Miles Davis

So What is a jazz composition by Miles Davis first released on the 1959 album Kind of Blue. It is the opening track of the record and the best-known of Davis’s compositions. The piece is modal jazz, consisting of an eight-bar theme in D Dorian, over which improvising Miles Davis (trumpet) and John Coltrane (tenor saxophone) alternate for the rest of the track.

The head is written out in the notes by Gil Evans for all the instruments except for tenor saxophone, which improvised. The chord changes for each section are as follows:

Dorian: Dm7-G7-Cm7-F7
Aeolian: Am7-D7-Gm7-(G#°7/Gb°7)-C7-(B°7/Bb°7)-Fmaj7
Ionian: Fmaj9-B9-(C#9/Db9)-E9-(A9/Bb9)-D9

“Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington

“Take the ‘A’ Train” is a 1941 jazz standard written by Billy Strayhorn that was first recorded by the Duke Ellington Orchestra. It is perhaps the best-known of all Ellington’s compositions and has been recorded by numerous artists over the years. The song is named for the New York City subway line that ran near Ellington’s home in Harlem and was a popular hangout for many jazz musicians of the time.

“Take the ‘A’ Train” features a call-and-response opening section between the horns and piano, followed by an improvisation section built on a repeated two-measure motif. The melody then returns in a more traditional head arrangement before giving way to another round of solos. The piece closes with a short reprise of the opening call-and-response section.

While “Take the ‘A’ Train” is most often associated with Duke Ellington, it was actually composed by his close collaborator Billy Strayhorn. Strayhorn arrived in New York in December 1938 and began working with Ellington soon thereafter. He is credited with helping to define the Ellington sound and contributing some of the band’s most memorable tunes, including “Take the ‘A’ Train.”

“All Blues” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’s “All Blues” is a jazz standard that was first released on his 1959 album Kind of Blue. The song features a slow, 12-bar blues progression and is one of the most popular jazz songs of all time. It has been covered by many artists, including Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone, and Miles Davis himself.

“All Blues” is a great introduction to jazz for beginners. It is a simple song that is easy to listen to and has a catchy melody. If you are new to jazz, this is the perfect song to start with.

“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 made popular by jazz musician John Coltrane. This version was recorded in 1961 and released on the album My Favorite Things.

The tune has a simple AABA structure and is based on a scalar riff. Coltrane’s performance is notable for its use of 5/4 time, as well as its use of modal harmony. The melody is stated several times throughout the song, with each statement being followed by an improvised solo section.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are five jazz music hits that you need to know. They are “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck, “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis, “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane, “The Sidewinder” by Lee Morgan, and “Mingus Ah Um” by Charles Mingus. All of these songs are essential to understanding the genre of jazz and its history.