The Best Jazz Music Videos You Need to See

Looking for the best jazz music videos? Check out our top picks for the best jazz videos you need to see. From classic performances to modern interpretations, these videos are sure to get you groove.

Introduction

There are few things as sensual and thrilling as watching a great jazz musician at the top of their game. The level of talent and skill on display is always impressive, but when you add in the cool factor that most jazz musicians seem to naturally exude, it becomes almost irresistible.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get your fix of great jazz musicians without having to leave the comfort of your own home. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of high-quality music videos being produced, and many of them feature some of the best jazz musicians in the world.

If you’re looking for a great way to relax and enjoy some incredible jazz music, here are five of the best jazz music videos you need to see.

“A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane

One of the best jazz music videos out there is “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane. This video was produced by Blue Note Records and directed by AntonioFerrera. It features footage of Coltrane performing live in 1965, as well as interviews with his widow, Alice Coltrane, and members of his family. The video is an excellent introduction to Coltrane’s work and will help any fan of jazz appreciate his genius even more.

“So What” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’ “So What” is one of the most influential and well-known pieces of jazz music ever recorded. The 1959 recording is considered a watershed moment in the history of jazz, and the song has been covered by countless artists since.

The music video for “So What” was directed by Spike Lee and features footage of Davis performing the song with his band in 1989. The video also includes interviews with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams.

Whether you’re a fan of jazz or not, “So What” is a must-see music video. It’s a perfect example of how a great song can transcend genre and become something that everyone can enjoy.

“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck

“Take Five” is a jazz classic composed by Paul Desmond and originally performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. The piece first appeared on the album Time Out, which was released in 1959 and featured Desmond on saxophone, Brubeck on piano, Joe Morello on drums, and Eugene Wright on bass.

The composition is distinctive for its use of 5/4 time, which gives it a “sense of forward motion.” The melody is built around a series of descending thirds, which creates a feeling of unresolved tension. The solo sections are played in a call-and-response format, with the saxophone and piano trading four-bar phrases.

The original recording of “Take Five” was made in 1959 and released as a single. It was not a commercial success at the time, but it has since become one of the most popular jazz recordings of all time. The tune has been covered by many artists, including Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Oscar Peterson.

“Blue in Green” by Bill Evans

“Blue in Green” by Bill Evans is widely considered to be one of the best jazz music videos ever made. The video features Evans on piano, with his trio playing in a studio. The camera work is simple and focused on the musicians, and the editing is minimal. The result is a beautiful and moving performance that captures the essence of jazz.

“All Blues” by Miles Davis

“All Blues” is a jazz standard written by Miles Davis for his 1959 album Kind of Blue. The tune is modal, and borrows heavily from the blues. It is based on the chord progression of C minor to F minor to G7.

The Best Jazz Music Videos You Need to See:

1. “All Blues” by Miles Davis

2. “So What” by Miles Davis

3. “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington

4. “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington

5. “In a Sentimental Mood” by Duke Ellington

“Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis

Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue” is not only one of the best jazz albums ever recorded, it’s also one of the most influential. Davis and his band—including John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, and Paul Chambers—changed the course of jazz with this album, experimenting with modal jazz and creating a new sound that would be imitated by countless other artists. The album’s title track is a perfect example of Davis’s genius, and the accompanying music video is an eerie and beautiful tribute to the legend.

“My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane

“My Favorite Things” is a jazz standard written by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1959. The song was originally performed by Julie Andrews in the musical The Sound of Music. John Coltrane’s 1962 version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012.

The video below is a live performance of “My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane. This video is an excellent example of Coltrane’s improvisational style of playing.

“Naima” by John Coltrane

John Coltrane’s “Naima” is a beautiful and moving jazz standard that has been recorded by many musicians over the years. The song was inspired by Coltrane’s wife, Naima Griggs, and its gentle melody and soothing harmonies have made it a favorite of jazz fans all over the world.

The video below features a live performance of “Naima” by Coltrane’s Quartet, featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones. The video was filmed in 1966, just a few months before Coltrane’s untimely death at the age of 40. It’s a stunning performance by one of the greatest jazz groups of all time, and it’s a must-see for any fan of jazz music.

“Giant Steps” by John Coltrane

Giant Steps by John Coltrane is one of the most iconic jazz songs of all time. The video features footage of Coltrane performing the song live, intercut with shots of him in the studio recording the track. It’s a fascinating insight into the creative process of one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.

“A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie

This legendary composition by Dizzy Gillespie was first recorded in 1942 and has been performed by some of the greatest jazz musicians over the years, including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Thelonious Monk. The song is widely considered to be one of the most important works in the history of jazz, and this particular performance by Gillespie is truly a masterpiece.

“Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington

Take the ‘A’ Train is a 1941 jazz standard composed by Billy Strayhorn. It is perhaps the most famous of all Duke Ellington’s songs, and has been covered by many artists over the years. The Duke Ellington Orchestra recorded the tune in February 1941, and it quickly became a hit. The song is written in AABA form, with each section featuring different soloists. The melody is based on a earlier composition by Ellington called “Happy-Go-Lucky Local”, which was itself based on the chord progression of George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm”.