The Best Jazz Music Videos You Need to See

Here are the best jazz music videos you need to see. These videos feature some of the biggest names in jazz and are sure to get your toe tapping.

Introduction

Before the rise of MTV and YouTube, the only way to see your favorite musicians perform was to either go to a concert or buy one of their albums. If you were lucky, you might catch them on television once in a while. Nowadays, it’s easy to find music videos of any genre and style, and jazz is no exception.

There are countless great jazz performances out there, but we’ve compiled a list of some of the best ones for your viewing pleasure. From Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock, these artists show off their incredible talent and make some beautiful music in the process. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

“A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane

John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” is one of the most iconic and influential pieces of jazz music ever recorded, and this video does an excellent job of capturing the majesty of the piece. Filmed in 1965, it features Coltrane and his band performing the piece in its entirety, with footage of them recording the album interspersed throughout. It’s a must-watch for any fan of jazz music.

“So What” by Miles Davis

So What is a composition by Miles Davis first released on his 1959 album Kind of Blue. The basis of the tune consists of only two chords, D-7 and G7, but it is one of the most popular and influential jazz tunes of all time. “So What” has been covered by many artists including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, and Sting.

“Blue in Green” by Bill Evans

Blue in Green is a beautiful ballad written by Miles Davis and recorded on his 1959 album Kind of Blue. Bill Evans, the pianist on the track, later released his own version on the album Portrait in Jazz. The Evans recording is notable for its use of “harmon mute,” which gives the piano a muted, ethereal sound.

The video above features Evans’ recording of “Blue in Green,” with footage of Evans performing the song interspersed with images of painter Mark Rothko’s work. The combination of Evans’ delicate piano playing and Rothko’s vibrant paintings makes for a truly stunning visual experience.

“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck

“Take Five” is a jazz composition by Paul Desmond that was first recorded by The Dave Brubeck Quartet on its 1959 album Time Out. Released as a single, “Take Five” peaked at number five on Billboard magazine’s survey of popular singles during the week ending 21 March 1961. In 2009, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The song is in 5/4 time, which gives it a “unique, off-kilter sound”, according to Brubeck. When Brubeck’s producer told him that “Take Five” would never amount to anything, Brubeck replied, “It will sell a million copies and be remembered long after we’re all gone.”

The video features The Dave Brubeck Quartet performing “Take Five” live.

“Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock

Released in 1965, Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage” was one of the first jazz compositions to feature a rock-style backbeat. The song has been covered by a number of artists, but this performance by Hancock’s band is considered the definitive version. The video features footage of the band performing on a ship, giving the song an appropriately voyagesque feel.

“The Sidewinder” by Lee Morgan

“The Sidewinder” is a ten-minute long jazz standard composed by Lee Morgan. It was first recorded in 1963 and released on The Sidewinder album the following year. The recording features Morgan on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Barry Harris on piano, Bob Cranshaw on electric bass, and Billy Higgins on drums.

The tune became popular in 1964 after being used in a commercial for Lincoln-Mercury automobiles. It has been covered by many artists since then, including Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, and the Dave Brubeck Quartet. “The Sidewinder” has been described as “one of the most popular and enduring hard bop tracks of the 1960s.”

“Moanin'” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded “Moanin'” in 1958, and the piece quickly became one of their best-known tunes. The song features a catchy melody, performed by trumpeter Lee Morgan, that is punctuated by Blakey’s signature propulsive drumming. The rest of the band, which includes tenor saxophonist Benny Golson and pianist Bobby Timmons, is in top form as well. This performance was captured on video at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1963 and features all of the original band members.

“Now’s the Time” by Charlie Parker

“Now’s the Time” is a song by jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. It was composed in 1945 and released as a single in 1946. The song is considered to be one of Parker’s most important compositions and is often cited as one of the best examples of bebop.

The song’s popularity has led to it being covered by many artists, including Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock. It has also been sampled by Hip Hop artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.

“Now’s the Time” is featured in the soundtrack of the 1994 film Forrest Gump and can also be heard in the films The Yellow Sea (2011) and Whiplash (2014).

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best jazz music videos you need to see. Jazz is a truly unique and special genre of music, and we believe that it deserves to be celebrated. These videos are just a small sampling of the incredible talent and artistry that exists within the jazz world, and we encourage you to explore further. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we hope you’ll continue to enjoy the music!