The Best Jazz Instrumental Songs for Music Downloads

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Download the best jazz instrumental songs to your computer or mobile device. Whether you’re a fan of Miles Davis or John Coltrane, we’ve got the perfect songs for you.

Introduction

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.

The Best Jazz Instrumental Songs

A lot of people ask me what the best jazz instrumental songs are for music downloads. While there are a ton of great jazz songs out there, these are my personal favorites. I’ve included a mix of old and new songs, so there’s something for everyone.

“So What” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’ “So What” is one of the most popular and recognizable jazz songs of all time. The tune was originally recorded as part of the monumental Miles Ahead album, but has since been covered by countless artists.

“So What” is a perfect example of Davis’ signature cool jazz sound, and his masterful use of space and silence in his solos. The tune features a simple, catchy melody that is easy to hum along to, making it one of the most popular tunes for beginning jazz musicians to learn.

“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck

“Take Five” is a jazz composition written by Paul Desmond and originally recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. It was released in 1959 on their album Time Out, one of the first jazz albums to sell over a million copies. The single became a surprise hit, reaching No. 25 on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart and No. 5 on its Easy Listening chart. “Take Five” remains one of the best-known jazz standards and has been recorded by many artists.

Desmond wrote the melody in about ten minutes while waiting for a rehearsal to begin. He was inspired by Paul Hindemith’s “Thema (Song of the Pirated)” from his opera Mathis der Maler, which he had heard on the radio. The time signature is unusual for jazz, being in 5/4 time instead of the more common 4/4 or 3/4 time signatures; this creates an unusual “angular” feel, which Desmond said was inspired by Hindemith’s music.

“Blue in Green” by Bill Evans

“Blue in Green” is a jazz standard written by Miles Davis and released on his 1958 album Kind of Blue. The song was written by Davis in response to the death of his mother, and the title refers to the colors of a stormy sky. The song features a slow, ethereal melody that is haunting and beautiful, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

“All Blues” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’ “All Blues” is one of the most popular and well-known jazz instrumental songs of all time. It was first recorded by Miles Davis in 1959 on the album Kind of Blue, one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. “All Blues” is a slow blues standard that features a unique melody and solos from Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The tune has been covered by many other artists over the years, but Miles Davis’ version remains the most popular.

“Freddie Freeloader” by Miles Davis

“Freddie Freeloader” is a jazz composition by Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 9, 1959, at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York City, during sessions for the Davis album Kind of Blue (1959). The piece is notable for its use of modal jazz and for its solo by Miles Davis.

The composition is based on two chord progressions: D-7 to G7 and E♭-7 to A♭7. These progressions are played twice each, the first time under the lead melody played by Davis, and the second time over a second melody improvised by him. The piece features all members of the sextet that recorded Kind of Blue: Miles Davis on trumpet, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley on alto saxophone, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best jazz instrumental songs for music downloads are a great way to enjoy this genre of music. They are perfect for when you want to relax and unwind, or when you want to focus on work or study. There are a wide variety of songs available, so you can find the perfect one for your mood and taste. If you love jazz, then these songs are a must-have for your collection.

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