What are some good Jazz songs?

Question

I was wondering if you could give some suggestions for good Jazz songs, preferably by the famous ones, like Sonny Stitt, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Fats, and others. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

here's a baker's dozen of variegated goodies that come to mind, some obvious, perhaps, others less so, and with no duplication of artists, so as to allow for some variety:



1. Chet Baker's "Someone To Watch Over Me" (his 3:00 approximate original rendition with Bud Shank, Russ Freeman, etc.).

2. Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman."

3. John Coltrane's "Syeeda's Song Flute."

4. Elmo Hope's "Stars Over Marakesh."

5. Alberta Hunter's "Amtrak Blues" (chronologically-removed recording-wise from what you're apparently looking for, but it fits stylistically, I think).

6. Yusef Lateef's "Water Pistol."

7. Abbey Lincoln's rendition of "Don't Explain," from her fine "That's Him" album.

8. Charles Mingus' "Moanin'"

9. Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" (I'd go with the "Genius of Modern Music" recording of it).

10. Herbie Nichols' "House Party Starting."

11. Art Pepper's "Surf Ride" (the 50s Savoy original of it, probably, given your apparent tastes).

12. Django Reinhardt's "Nuages."

13. Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas."

Answer 2

here's my list, last guy had good list but half were ellington songs, which i supposed you could make a case for. How about by decade?

This would get you grounded and figure out exactly what kind of jazz you really like.



20s Struttin with some BBQ - Louis Armstrong

30s It Dont Mean a Thing if it Aint got that Swing - Ellington

40s Sing Sing Sing Benny Goodman

50s So What- Miles Davis

60s My Favorite Things - John Coltrane

70s Fly with the Wind - McCoy Tyner

80s Turnaround - Pat Metheny

90s A Go-Go - Jon Scofield

00s Footprints - Bruce Jackson

Answer 3

Sing, Sing, Sing

Ain't Misbehavin'

Singing the Blues

Satin Doll

Answer 4

Green Dolphin Street - Mel Torme

St. Thomas (don't recall artist)

Anything by Billie Holiday

Sketches of Spain - Miles Davis

Answer 5

Try the big female jazz vocalists, like Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughan, Billie Holiday.

I'm into jazz fusion, you might want to check out that. Allan Holdsworth, John Scofield.

Answer 6

What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong



http://www.truveotube.com/song/what-a-wonderful-world

Answer 7

satin doll--ellington

scrapple from the apple-parker

solitude--ellington

sophisticated lady

yardbird suite-parker

ornithology-parker

i got it bad-ellington

Answer 8

Sway with me Michael buble

Answer 9

Sing Sing Sing, dunno who it's by but it's a classic.



A Taste of Honey, so many people have recorded this song, so if you just search around you'll find the version you like best.