William T. Mohn
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Jazz Listening Guide

2/6/2021

2 Comments

 
So, after my last series of blogs on jazz, I thought I should do two things: tell you why I like jazz, and give you a list of some jazz tunes to check to see if you like them.
 
In my last blog, I tried to answer the question, “Why don’t people like jazz?” So, why do I LIKE (love?) jazz? I could say a lot about this, but in a nutshell, I like jazz because it’s happy, energetic, interesting, beautiful, and cool. 
 
Here’s a list of FUN jazz tunes to get you started.

  1. I can’t think of a better way to get started than Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing Gershwin’s “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.” Try not to smile!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2oEmPP5dTM

  1. In one of my earlier jazz blogs, I mentioned the Kids from the Sant Andreu Jazz Band in Barcelona. Here they are: a bunch of kids from Spain (joined by a couple adults—one who does a great Louis Armstrong impression) performing “Basin Street Blues” and reminding me why jazz is so fun.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AV6-qLjnvA

  1. The video quality of this next one is poor, but since “fun” is the theme, this one is over-the-top. My favorite big band leader, Woody Herman, presides over the pandemonium that is “Your Father’s Mustache.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft8X0wXZOhY

  1. Trumpeter Clifford Brown is my all-time favorite jazz artist. Max Roach is one of my favorite drummers. Here they are with an energetic rendition of “Blues Walk.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIANyO3jdA8

  1. Jazz doesn’t have to be swing. Here’s the group Weather Report, with the legendary Jaco Pastorius on bass, playing their feel-good hit “Birdland.” Ah, the ‘70s…
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqashW66D7o

  1. Let’s go back to Barcelona and watch the most adorable little girl ever show you that kids can enjoy (and play!) jazz. The song is “When You’re Smiling,” and that’s little Elsa Armengou singing.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtO651CqhGY

  1. Piano virtuoso Oscar Peterson takes a lovely Richard Rogers ballad, “My Romance,” and turns it into a swinging bonanza of improvisation. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1OdKc5es5g

  1. Count Basie gives us the very definition of swing with “One O’Clock Jump,” from a cheesy old movie. Gotta love it!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXq7eb_HJ7w

  1. “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” written by Joe Zawinul (the same guys who wrote “Birdland”), has become a jazz standard. You can choose the soulful Cannonball Adderly version (the original), or the hard-driving big band version with the immortal Buddy Rich on drums.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rXEKtC8iY
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8WAvTmJuKk

  1. Bossa Nova is one of the many sub-genres of jazz. It’s the musical embodiment of relaxing on a beach in paradise. I can’t resist going back to the Sant Andreu kids one more time with a two-for-the-price-of-one deal. The first is my favorite, Rita Payes (who’s only about 16 here), with “Flor de Lis.” The second has Rita backing up Alba Armengou (Elsa’s sister) on “Aguas de Marco,” with the smoothest sax solo ever, courtesy of Joel Frahm. These two songs are the very definition of JOY!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMTMp8EM1VI
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EazJHMFvQ3s

  1. It’s time for the “National Anthem” of jazz. No, not Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood,” though that’s about as popular as they get. It’s Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing,” appearing in partial form from another old movie. Fun facts: The song was written by Louis Prima, aka “King Louie” from The Jungle Book. The video features Gene Krupa on drums and Harry James on trumpet (it’s James’ “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” that’s featured at the end of the movie Avengers: Endgame). Jazz nerd trivia.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJ4dpNal_k

  1. No list of jazz would be complete without Duke Ellington. Here’s his “Take the ‘A’ Train” (actually written by Billy Strayhorn). Since jazz is always changing and always fresh, I thought I’d stick with that idea by including a clip of Wynton Marsalis joined by young players for a new interpretation of this classic, complete with tap dancing!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFs7cyPmzxk
​
2 Comments
Jake Wavra
2/13/2021 04:50:37 pm

Hey, my dad forwarded your most recent blog entry. I love it! From one drummer to another, I really appreciate your perspective regarding why jazz music doesn’t appeal to a wider audience today. You make a great point explaining how musicians generally pursue jazz for their own personal enjoyment, especially when considering the lack of interest by the general public. My experience confirms that while a few pockets of jazz enthusiasts remain in the world, the genre as a whole appeals primarily to musicians whose experience with popular music has run dry. I listened to your entire list of classic jazz titles, and enjoyed it thoroughly. LUA AMARELA especially caught my attention. That band is no joke, and the guy on the upright bass is absolutely phenomenal. I was a little surprised that most of the song suggestions were strictly swing jazz. Personally, I think traditional jazz sort of slumped into that stereotypical swing beat style that became quite base when considering the wider spectrum of rhythm sounds, including samba, funk, shuffle, blues, etc. Variety is really the greatest asset jazz has to offer, elevating itself beyond the extremely monochromatic styles of Country, Pop, and Rock-n-Roll. I have recently discovered performers like Timo Lassy and the band Povo, who really capitalize on the diversity of Jazz in their sound- incredibly talented and creative. Definitely give them a listen if you get a chance. Thanks for writing and sharing your thoughts. Take care.

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David Daniel link
11/13/2022 11:35:27 pm

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  • Home
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