Fall Jazz Music: The Best of the Season
Looking for the best jazz music to listen to this fall? Look no further than this list of our favorite fall jazz albums. From classics to new releases, there’s something for everyone.
Introduction
Although it’s often associated with warm weather, sunny days and long nights, jazz is also the perfect music for fall. As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, we can all appreciate the slower, more relaxed pace of jazz.
There are plenty of great jazz albums to choose from this season, whether you’re looking for something new or something classic. Here are just a few of our favorites:
– Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue”
– John Coltrane, “My Favorite Things”
– Billie Holiday, “Lady in Satin”
– Duke Ellington, “Mood Indigo”
The Best Fall Jazz Albums
Fall is the perfect time to cozy up with some great jazz music. There are so many amazing albums that have been released in the past few years. In this article, we will be taking a look at the best fall jazz albums.
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue is one of the most popular and influential jazz albums of all time. It was recorded in 1959 with Davis’ “first great quintet” which featured saxophonists John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb.
The album features five tracks, all of which are considered classics: “So What,” “Freddie Freeloader,” “Blue in Green,” “All Blues,” and “Flamenco Sketches.” While the album is often classified as a modal jazz release, it also includes elements of cool jazz, post-bop, and blues.
If you’re looking for a great jazz album to add to your collection this fall, Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue is an essential choice.
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
Recorded in late 1964 and released early the next year, A Love Supreme has come to be seen as one of jazz’s all-time great albums. It was also a commercial success, selling over half a million copies – no mean feat for a jazz album in those days. The album is constructed around four ‘suites’, based on Coltrane’s own spiritual journey. The first three – ‘Acknowledgement’, ‘Resolution’ and ‘Pursuance’ – make up the main body of the album, while the fourth and final suite, ‘Psalm’, is a shorter piece that serves as a coda of sorts.
While A Love Supreme is undoubtedly a brilliant album, it is also an immensely personal one. Coltrane was deeply religious man, and his faith informs every note on this record. This is most evident on the opening track, ‘Acknowledgement’, where Coltrane can be heard reciting a Muslim prayer of thanksgiving (though he was actually raised a Christian). This spiritual side to Coltrane’s music would continue to be a major part of his work for the rest of his career.
Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard
This is one of the most famous albums in jazz history, and with good reason. It’s the only live album that features the Bill Evans Trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. This was a groundbreaking group, and this recording captures them at their best. The interplay between Evans and LaFaro is particularly beautiful. If you only listen to one album on this list, make it this one.
Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings
Chet Baker was one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. His smooth, mellow style defined the cool jazz sound and his work as a solo artist and bandleader influenced generations of musicians. Chet Baker Sings is one of his most iconic albums, and it’s the perfect album to help you relax and enjoy the crisp autumn days.
The Best Fall Jazz Festivals
As the leaves begin to change color and the weather gets cooler, we know that fall is here. And with fall comes some of the best jazz festivals of the year! If you’re a fan of jazz music, make sure to check out some of these great festivals.
The Monterey Jazz Festival
One of the longest running and most prestigious jazz festivals in the world, the Monterey Jazz Festival celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2017. The festival takes place over three days on 19-21 September and always boasts an incredible lineup of world-renowned artists. Past headliners have included Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, and John Coltrane. If you’re a jazz fan, this is a can’t-miss event!
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Jazz Trumpet Competition
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Jazz Trumpet Competition is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world for up-and-coming jazz trumpeters. The competition is held every two years and attracts some of the best young trumpeters from around the globe.
The competition was established in 1996 by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Los Angeles, California. It is named after legendary jazz trumpeter and composer Thelonious Monk, who was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
The competition consists of three rounds: a preliminary round, a semi-final round, and a final round. Trumpeters who advance to the semi-final and final rounds perform with a rhythm section made up of members of the Grammy-winning jazz ensemble Yellowjackets.
The winner of the competition receives a $25,000 grand prize, as well as a recording contract with Concord Music Group. Second place receives a $15,000 prize, and third place receives a $10,000 prize.
The Newport Jazz Festival
The Newport Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held in Newport, Rhode Island. Started in 1954 by socialite Elaine Lorillard and husband Louis, the two-day event was the first jazz festival of its kind and featured such artists as Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Today, the event is run by the non-profit Newport Festivals Foundation and features over 80 different performances on multiple stages throughout the city. The festival takes place each August.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are some of the best fall jazz songs that you can listen to while enjoying the season. Each song has its own unique way of capturing the essence of fall, whether it’s through the lyrics, the melody, or the overall atmosphere of the piece. Jazz is a genre that is perfect for relaxing and unwinding, and these songs are sure to do just that. So go ahead and put on your favorite fall jazz album, kick back, and enjoy the season.
