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In the late 1900s and the early 20th century, a new genre of music emerged and became worldwide popular and to date is celebrated in the entire world. Yes, you are right, this is about the infamous jazz music genre that originated in the African-American communities in New Orleans and became popular because of its high tempo which was easy to dance to. Many Jazz tracks are still worldwide famous today because the creators could successfully capture human emotions and experiences in a certain way, unique to others. So here is the list of the top 10 best jazz songs of all time.
10/10
‘Fly Me To The Moon’ – by Frank Sinatra
Many jazz singers have said that Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ is the most requested jazz song by the general public. This classic was originally titled “In Other Words” until the composer; Bart Howard changed its name in 1963. This Sinatra recording became associated with NASA’s Apollo Space Programme in the late 1960s, where the astronauts listened to the recording via tape in both Apollo 10 and Apollo 11 missions.
9/10
‘Georgia On My Mind’ – by Billie Holiday
This track got its place in the list of best jazz songs of all time due to its popularity and beautiful composition. The songwriter, Hoagy Carmichael is one of the most famous and renowned jazz songwriters of all time and was deeply connected with the genre, more than anybody else. The song was composed in 1930, and the lyrics were from Stuart Gorrell where the early recordings included a breezy medium tempo. Now it’s commonly played as a soulful ballad, which became popular as Ray Charles’ heartfelt 1960 version.
8/10
‘My Favorite Things’ – by John Coltrane
John Coltrane might be more known for his groundbreaking performance in his Giant Steps album, but his performance on ‘My Favorite Things’ reached worldwide popularity quickly and became one of the iconic hits of all time. The track was originally written for Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1959 but released in 1961 when Coltrane was featured became the one that united the jazz community with its fans. The 14-minute version of Coltrane proves that you can take the basics and turn it into a cult classic!!
7/10
‘The Girl From Ipanema’ – by Stan Getz
This track is one of the primary examples of Bossa Nova, which is a new style of music that combined traditional Brazilian samba and traditional jazz elements. The 1964 album of Getz/Gilberto is credited to have started this trend and ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ became one of the most popular jazz tracks of all time. American Stan Getz has delivered a sweet tenor sound that is mixed at perfection with Brazilian Joao Gilberto’s dexterous rhythmic guitar and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s heartfelt piano.
6/10
‘Round Midnight’ – by Thelonious Monk
Written by the pianist Thelonious Monk, ‘Round Midnight’ is easily one of the greatest ballads. Trumpeter Cootie Williams was the one, who first recorded the track in 1944, but then Monk took the song for himself and was done with several first recordings by the year 1947.
5/10
‘Body and Soul’ – by Coleman Hawkins
This is a little different than traditional sunny jazz tracks and talks about yearning and devotion. This was written in 1930 and British actress and singer Gertrude Lawrence premiered this track in London. Among numerous other versions that were recorded of this track, the version by the father of the tenor saxophone in jazz, Coleman Hawkins was released in 1939.
4/10
‘Take The A Train’ – by Duke Ellington
This track was collaboration between Ellington, Harlem Renaissance’s standout where he penned this with Billy Strayhorn which single handedly emerged the subgenre of swing music in the world. This song then lived to become a hallmark of Ellington’s career.
3/10
‘I Got Rhythm’ – by Sarah Vaughan
This is another composition by George Gershwin was originally sung by Ethel Merman, the legendary diva, and later went on to be covered by numerous jazz artists. These covers sometimes included the original tune or new melodies that were composed over the existing chord changes. Sarah Vaughan, later on, recorded her version for her album ‘Sweet ‘n’ Sassy’, released in 1963.
2/10
‘So What’ – by Miles Davis
This is another track that is one of the most recognizable jazz songs of all time. Recorded by David and his band this song perfectly shows the caliber of the artists and at the same time became the most-loved by the people because it represented modal jazz. The entire album “Kind of Blue,” released in 1959 is recognized by Congress as a national treasure for being a prime example of Modal jazz, using a more improvised and scalar method instead of the traditional vertical methods.
1/10
‘Summertime’ – by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
This song by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong became so popular so fast and is still held at a high pedestrian with over 25,000 recorded versions. Even to this day, if you ask any non-jazz fan to name their top jazz songs, there is a high chance of this song coming to the top. The track was written by George Gershwin in his first attempt at an opera for Porgy and Bess and reveals a much softer side of the composition making it a bluesier composition. Even though the title suggests that the track is sunny and joyous, the song evokes African American spirituals and has a melancholy feel. Both singers helped popularize the piece as one of the biggest jazz hits of all time and made it an instant classic.
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