And make sure you come up with your own list in the comments, I'd love to post a second round with all your thoughts.
1. Chameleon- Herbie Hancock
I first heard this song in a medley of stuff that Maynard Ferguson and his band did when he dropped by my township's high school for a master class and performance. The persistent groove really stuck with me and I loved getting my non-jazz friends hooked on that bass groove.2. Birdland- Weather Report
My bassist friend told me to give Weather Report a listen, so I went straight for Heavy Weather. It was a good choice. I still listen to that whole album, they're all genious. I now own this one on vinyl.3. Kind of Blue (album)- Miles Davis
This one I heard much earlier then anything else listed here. I heard this album going into 4th grade and loved So What, Freddie the Freeloader, and All Blues.4. Embraceable You/I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good- Louis Prima and Keely Smith
I never knew anybody was ever allowed to have this much fun, especially when playing music.5. Salt Peanuts- Dizzy Gillespie
I dare you to listen and NOT say "Salt Peanuts! Salt Peanuts!" I mean, seriously...Ok, well there's my list of 5 Songs that got me into jazz. Of course I left some out like Soul Bossa Nova, and anything Vince Guaraldi, but we'll save that for another time....
-jazzfreak11
3 comments:
I'm in my 30s and have been playing jazz music since high school. Here are five songs that I was exposed to back in high school that played a formative role in my interest in jazz:
1) Ornithology - Charlie Parker
My high school stage band performed this song my senior year. This song also got me interested in Charlie Parker's music.
2) Birdland - Weather Report
My first experience with this was in marching band - the arrangement was geared more towards marching band music, but the jazz feel really came through.
3) In the Mood - Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller certainly made his mark on music. I never get tired of hearing or playing this one.
4) Stardust - Hoagy Carmichael
I played this one for a (successful) band audition. The teacher from whom I was taking private lessons suggested this one.
5) TJ's Boogie - (not sure of author)
This one goes back to when I just started playing jazz in high school. One of my first solos ever.
thanks for your list! hopefully we'll get another response or two so I can put another post...
I'll make sure to add a call of action to today's post.
Yeah, I loved Dizzy Gillespie's Salt Peanuts tune when I first heard it too. It's got a very catchy melody to it.
Nice blog.
Post a Comment