The Best Casual Jazz Music for Relaxing or Entertaining
The Best Casual Jazz Music for Relaxing or Entertaining. Enjoy the best in contemporary and classic jazz, from Miles Davis to John Coltrane.
Best Casual Jazz Music Albums
Casual jazz is a great way to relax or entertain. It’s perfect for background music at a dinner party or while cooking. It’s also great for studying or working. There are many great casual jazz albums out there. Here are a few of our favorites.
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue is one of the most well-known and iconic jazz albums of all time. It was released in 1959 and was immediately hailed as a masterpiece by both jazz critics and fans. The album features some of Davis’ most famous collaborators, including John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Bill Evans. The music is slow and mellow, making it perfect for a casual listening experience.
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme is a revolutionary album in the world of jazz music. This record has been cited as one of the most important and influential albums of all time, and for good reason. A Love Supreme is an expansive four-part suite that is equal parts spiritual and cathartic, making it the perfect album to put on when you need to relax or unwind. While it may be challenging to get through the entire record in one sitting, it is well worth the effort, as A Love Supreme is a truly remarkable achievement in jazz music.
Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Recorded in 1961, this album features one of the most influential jazz pianists of all time, Bill Evans, joined by bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. It is widely considered one of the best jazz albums ever recorded and features Evans’ unique approach to harmony and counterpoint.
Chet Baker – Chet
This is the album that made Baker a star, and it’s easy to see why. Featuring such standards as “My Funny Valentine” and “Summertime,” Baker’s delicate yet emotive voice delivers each tune with an elegance and weariness that reflects the ultimate cool of the 1950s jazz scene. Recorded in just two days with a simple rhythm section of bass and drums, Chet is a masterclass in how less can truly be more.
Dave Brubeck – Time Out
This is one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time, and for good reason. Recorded in 1959, Dave Brubeck and his quartet explore unusual time signatures (5/4, 9/8) on classics like “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk.” Time Out is the perfect album for both diehard jazz fans and newcomers looking to ease their way into the genre.
Best Casual Jazz Songs
If you’re looking for the best casual jazz songs to listen to, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best casual jazz songs that you can listen to for relaxing or entertaining. We hope that you find this article helpful and that you enjoy the songs we’ve recommended.
“So What” by Miles Davis
“So What” is a 1959 jazz composition by Miles Davis. It is the first track on the Kind of Blue album and was compositionally credited to both Davis and Bill Evans. The piece is a thirty-two-bar AABA form (thirty-two bar song form) that modulates from D♭ to C. Evans’ chord changes on the recording have since become standards in jazz education. “So What” is one of Davis’s best-known compositions and has been recorded by many other jazz musicians.
The tune consists of an eight-bar melody played by Miles Davis impersonating a bird call, followed by eight bars of improvisation, then eight more bars of melody, all in D♭ major. The second soloist (generally Hank Mobley or John Coltrane) takes an improvised solo over Evans’s chord progression in C major. The final two minutes of the track feature an unaccompanied piano solo by Evans.
“My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane
“My Favorite Things” is a popular song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical The Sound of Music. It was first performed by Mary Martin in the original 1959 Broadway production. The song has been covered by many artists and has become a jazz standard. John Coltrane’s version is one of the most famous and well-known versions of the song.
Coltrane recorded his version of “My Favorite Things” for his 1961 album My Favorite Things. His version is based on the chord progression of the original song, but he adds his own unique harmonic and melodic elements. The result is a deeply beautiful and meditative piece of music that has become one of Coltrane’s most iconic recordings.
“Waltz for Debby” by Bill Evans
“Waltz for Debby” is a jazz standard composed by pianist Bill Evans in 1961. It first appeared on the live album Waltz for Debby, which was recorded at the Village Vanguard nightclub in New York City.
The song has been recorded by many artists, including Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, and Diana Krall. It is a popular choice for jazz musicians to perform in a casual setting, as it has a relaxed and easygoing feel.
“My Funny Valentine” by Chet Baker
“My Funny Valentine” is a classic tune written by Rodgers and Hart in 1937. It has been covered by many artists over the years, but one of our favorites is Chet Baker’s version from his 1958 album “Chet Baker Sings”.
This song epitomizes the cool, relaxed sound of West Coast jazz and is the perfect choice for a casual gathering or a romantic evening. If you’re looking for the perfect song to set a relaxed, romantic mood, “My Funny Valentine” is a great choice.
“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck
If you’re looking for a relaxed and casual jazz song, “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck is the perfect choice. This classic tune has a catchy rhythm that’s perfect for entertaining, and the saxophone solo is guaranteed to keep your guests relaxed and engaged.
Best Casual Jazz Artists
Miles Davis
One of the most influential and prolific jazz artists of all time, Miles Davis was a master of many styles. He is best known for his work in the bebop and cool jazz genres, but he also experimented with hard bop, modal jazz, and fusion. A true musical innovator, Davis had a profound impact on the development of jazz and continues to be one of the most popular and respected musicians in the genre.
If you’re looking for some great casual jazz to relax or entertain, Miles Davis is a perfect choice. His music is perfect for any occasion, and his many different styles make him one of the most versatile and popular jazz artists around.
John Coltrane
John Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer who was one of the most influential and groundbreaking musicians of the 20th century. He is best known for his work in the 1960s, when he helped pioneer the jazz styles of modal jazz and free jazz. His inventive use of harmony, melody, and rhythm made him a highly influential player and composer, and his work had a major impact on both the development of jazz music and the course of musical history.
Bill Evans
Bill Evans is often cited as one of the best jazz artists of all time. His work as a solo artist and with his trio is legendary, and his impact on the genre is undeniable. If you’re looking for some casual jazz to listen to, Evans is a great place to start. His work is elegant and restrained, and it’s the perfect background music for a dinner party or other gathering.
Chet Baker
One of the most influential jazz musicians of the 1950s and 1960s, Chet Baker was known for his smooth, mellow style and his distinctive, gentle vocal delivery. His warm tones and relaxed approach made him a favorite among fans of cool jazz and West Coast jazz. Baker’s recordings with pianist Russ Freeman and saxophonist Gerry Mulligan are considered among the best examples of cool jazz. He also had great success with his own groups, which featured some of the finest musicians of the day, including saxophonist Stan Getz, trumpeter Art Farmer, and bassist Carson Smith.
Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck is one of the most popular and influential jazz musicians of all time. He is best known for his work in the 1950s with his quartet, which included Paul Desmond on alto saxophone. The group’s recordings, such as “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” were both popular and influential. Brubeck’s later work ranged from jazz-rock fusion to big-band compositions. He continued to perform and record until his death in 2012.
