[Autumn Jazz] Classic and Popular Jazz Songs to Enjoy in the Fall
When it comes to music you want to savor on a long autumn night, jazz is surely at the top of the list.
As the scorching summer fades and a unique sense of melancholy begins to drift through the air, jazz fits the season perfectly.
In fact, there are many jazz standards themed around autumn, a testament to just how well the two go together.
In this article, titled “Jazz Masterpieces to Enjoy in Autumn,” we’ll showcase a generous selection of autumn jazz classics—not only songs that explicitly take autumn as their theme, but also pieces that evoke an autumnal mood.
Whether it’s a reflective afternoon moment or a quiet night when you want to feel a bit more grown-up, please enjoy!
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[Autumn Jazz] Classic and Popular Jazz Songs to Listen to in Autumn (21–30)
September SongElla Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald is a quintessential American female jazz singer.
Alongside Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, she was one of the jazz vocalists who achieved great commercial success.
“September Song” was composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by the famed playwright Maxwell Anderson, and it was also sung by Frank Sinatra—it’s a very well-known song in the United States.
This rendition is crafted as a slow jazz number that’s perfect for an autumn evening.
My Heart Is For YouPeter Sandberg
The piece “My Heart Is For You” by Swedish pianist Peter Sandberg is a beautiful jazz ballad with a calm, elegant sound.
It was included on the EP “A Scandinavian Thing,” released in 2015.
The piano’s clear, pure tone is simply beautiful—it feels cleansing to the soul.
Jazz performed in Scandinavia, where long winters await, often has a dreamy, lyrical quality, making it perfect for the chill of autumn as well.
September In The RainRed Garland Trio
Red Garland is a jazz pianist who backed Lester Young and Charlie Parker and, in 1955, joined Miles Davis’s band.
Known as a distinctive jazz pianist, he arranged block chords into a unique playing style that jazz aficionados refer to as the “Garland-bushi.” The track “September in the Rain” is an autumn-themed piece where you can savor that signature Garland style.
All the things you areCharlie Parker
This is a masterful performance by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker from Kansas City, USA.
The composition is by Jerome Kern, a musical theater composer from New York.
Known as “Bird,” Parker was a brilliant, visionary musician famous for creating bebop, the prototype of modern jazz.
His spontaneous improvisational flair is fully on display in this piece as well.
Stormy WeatherBillie Holiday
Billie Holiday, the female jazz vocalist who won popularity with her richly expressive voice, is one of the key figures who changed the very concept of jazz singing.
This piece is a torch song about a heartbreaking breakup: ever since her lover left, the weather—both inside her heart and out in the world—has been stormy.
Her searing emotional expression, as if reflecting her own tumultuous life, deeply moves those who listen.
First performed in 1933, the song became a widely loved standard—so much so that a musical film of the same name was made in 1943—and Holiday’s recording can be heard on the classic album “An Evening with Billie Holiday.” It’s perfect for a long autumn night, lost in thought.
WindowsChick Corea
Chick Corea, known as a pioneer of jazz fusion and for his wide-ranging work with various bands, is truly a legend, with an astounding 23 Grammy wins to his name.
One of his early masterpieces, composed in 1966, exudes a meditative atmosphere, as if you’re gazing at an autumn landscape outside the window.
Its modal sonorities and waltz rhythm feel soothing, and the slightly wistful yet beautiful melody pairs perfectly with the sentimental mood of fall.
While the performance included on the classic album “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs” is especially famous, the first recording actually took place during a session in January 1966.
It’s just right for a contemplative autumn afternoon, isn’t it?
Body and SoulColeman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins, the trailblazer who elevated the tenor saxophone to a leading instrument in jazz.
A major star of the Swing Era, he also had a profound influence on later modern jazz.
Among his many celebrated performances, one recorded in 1939 is especially famous.
In this piece, he intentionally departs from the melody, crafting improvisations guided by the sound of the chords.
His deep, lustrous tone evokes a cool atmosphere tinged with the stillness and melancholy of an autumn night.
This performance was included on compilation albums such as Body and Soul.
Give it a listen on an evening when you want to spend some grown-up time.