The Best Jazz and Blues Music to Listen to Instrumentally
Contents
Looking for some great jazz and blues music to listen to instrumentally? Look no further! Here are some of our top picks to help get you started.
Introduction
There are two great American musical genres that have their roots in the African-American experience: jazz and blues. Both genres have influenced each other and have been popular for many years. Many of the greatest musicians in both genres started out as instrumentalists, playing solo or in small groups.
In this article, we will recommend some of the best jazz and blues music to listen to instrumentally. We will also provide a brief history of each genre and some of the most important musicians who have shaped it.
Jazz is a musical style that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in African-American communities in the Southern United States. It was heavily influenced by European classical music, as well as by African folk music. Jazz is characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and a wide range of dynamics.
The first jazz recordings were made in 1917, but the genre did not gain widespread popularity until the 1920s, when it became known as “jazz age” music. Some of the most important early jazz musicians include Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Jelly Roll Morton.
Blues is a musical style that originated in African-American communities in the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by simple chord progressions, often played on guitars or pianos, with a strong focus on melody and lyricism. The blues has been a major influence on jazz, rock & roll, and country music.
Some of the most important early blues musicians include W.C. Handy, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bessie Smith, and Robert Johnson. Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues” (1936) is one of the most famous blues songs of all time.
Best Jazz Songs
Jazz and Blues are two genres of music that are often intertwined. They share many commonalities, such as their origin in African-American culture and their focus on improvisation. While Jazz is more upbeat and fast-paced, Blues is more mellow and soulful. Both genres are highly respected and have produced some of the most iconic songs in history.
“Moody’s Mood for Love” by James Moody
“Moody’s Mood for Love” is a jazz standard written by James Moody and Eddie Jefferson. The piece is based on a pre-existing melody, “I’m in the Mood for Love”, which was originally written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields. The original recording of “Moody’s Mood for Love” was made by Moody in 1952, and featured on his album Moody’s Mood for Love.
The song gained popularity after being covered by King Pleasure in 1953, and has since been recorded by many other artists including Abbey Lincoln, George Benson, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. It is often considered a jazz standard, and has been used in a number of films including Round Midnight (1986), Married to the Mob (1988), Goodfellas (1990), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Forrest Gump (1994), Pleasantville (1998), and High Fidelity (2000).
“So What” by Miles Davis
“So What” is a jazz composition by Miles Davis, recorded in 1959. It is the first track on the Kind of Blue album and was composed by Davis for his sextet consisting of John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb.
The piece is considered one of the most influential in the history of jazz, and has become a jazz standard. The melody has been adapted numerous times, including by John Coltrane, who recorded a version with his own quartet six months after the release of Kind of Blue.
“Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington
“Take the ‘A’ Train” is a 1941 composition by Billy Strayhorn that was first recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. The song is considered one of the most important pieces of jazz music and has been covered by many artists. It is the signature tune of the Ellington orchestra and often used as an introduction to their concerts. The song is a standard jazz anthem and has been played by countless jazz musicians over the years.
Best Blues Songs
Jazz and blues are two genres of music that have influenced countless other genres since their beginnings. Though their styles and instrumentation have changed over the years, the feeling that they evoke has remained the same. Jazz and blues are the perfect genres of music to put on when you want to relax and unwind. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best jazz and blues songs to listen to instrumentally.
“Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
“Sweet Home Chicago” is a classic blues song written by Robert Johnson. It has been covered by many artists, but Johnson’s original version is widely considered to be the best. The song is a simple 12-bar blues written in the key of E, and it features Johnson’s signature guitar playing.
“Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson
“Cross Road Blues” is a classic blues song written and recorded by Robert Johnson in 1936. The song is about a crossroads where the singer has made a deal with the devil to exchange his soul for the ability to play guitar like no one else. The song has been covered by many artists, including Eric Clapton, who recorded it as part of his “Crossroads” album in 1988.
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” by Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby” is a slow, sensual blues song that has been covered by a number of artists over the years. The song features Dixon’s signature baritone vocals, which are backed by a slow, simmering guitar. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is trying to break away from his lover, but finds himself unable to do so.
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” has been covered by a number of artists, including B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton. The song has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, including The Blues Brothers and Pulp Fiction.
Conclusion
Jazz and blues are two of the most popular genres of music in the world. Though they share some similarities, they are also quite different. Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the African-American community in the early 20th century. It is characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and a focus on instrumental soloing. Blues, on the other hand, is a genre that originated in the American South in the late 19th century. It is characterized by its use of the blue note, call-and-response patterns, and a focus on vocal performance.
Both jazz and blues are extremely important genres of music with a rich history and tradition. If you’re looking to listen to some great music instrumentally, there are plenty of great options to choose from in both genres. Some of the best jazz and blues songs to listen to instrumentally include “So What” by Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue” by John Coltrane, “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock, and “ take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. For blues, some great songs include “Stormy Monday” by T-Bone Walker, “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson, and “Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson. Whichever genre you prefer, there are plenty of great options to choose from when it comes to instrumental jazz and blues music.
