[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!
- [Autumn Songs] Songs of autumn. Classic tracks and popular favorites you’ll want to listen to in the fall.
- [2026] Songs to listen to in November: masterpieces of late autumn, autumn songs.
- Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- [2026] Jazz piano masterpieces: from standards to recent favorites
- Songs to Listen to in September: Popular J-POP Tracks That Capture the End of Summer and Early Autumn
- The Royal Road of Jazz: Classic modern jazz masterpieces. Popular tracks you should listen to at least once.
- [Reiwa Autumn Songs] Seasonal Melodies That Resonate with the Heart | A Curated Selection of Masterpieces to Enjoy in Autumn!
- [Autumn Classics] Japanese Songs to Listen to and Sing in October: A Curated Selection of Beloved, Heartfelt Hits
- Great for karaoke too! Jazz classics you’ll want to sing at least once
- Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners
- [2026] A collection of autumn songs for people in their 50s. Showa-era classics that bring back memories of those days
- From bittersweet tracks to party anthems: fall songs recommended for Gen Z
- Jazz commercial songs. Popular commercial songs.
[Autumn Jazz] Classic and Popular Jazz Songs to Listen to in Autumn (21–30)
Autumn LeavesMiles Davis
Miles Davis, whose restrained trumpet tone reshaped the course of jazz.
Among his many classic performances, this is the one I want to savor on a long autumn night.
His cool, lyrical trumpet eloquently tells the story of a world where fallen leaves symbolize a love that has passed and the lyrics cherish its memories.
You can clearly hear the influence of the pianist Ahmad Jamal—whom Davis revered so much that he declared, “I got all my inspiration from him.” This rendition was recorded in March 1958, and the famous take appears on alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley’s masterpiece Somethin’ Else.
Be sure to give it a listen as a companion to a quiet, contemplative evening.
Blue in GreenMiles Davis
Miles Davis, the imperious figure who constantly rewrote the history of jazz.
This is one track from his historic masterpiece Kind of Blue, recorded in August 1959, that seeps deeply into a long autumn night.
His muted trumpet resonates like a whisper escaping from the depths of the heart, intertwined with Bill Evans’s light, transparent piano, which nestles gently alongside it.
Though there are no lyrics, the piece’s structure exquisitely renders a complex inner landscape where blue melancholy blends with green tranquility.
The album that contains this work is also known for having been selected in 2002 for the National Recording Registry of the U.S.
Library of Congress.
It’s perfect for a quiet afternoon of contemplation.
[Autumn Jazz] Classic and Popular Jazz Songs to Listen to in Autumn (31–40)
These Foolish ThingsNat King Cole
Legendary jazz vocalist Nat King Cole.
Among the many jazz singers, he stands out for his exceptionally warm voice, and his sweet baritone is beloved by professionals as well.
This piece is crafted as a jazz number that captures a bittersweet feeling: how trivial things you notice in a fleeting moment can evoke a love that has slipped away, like a scene from a film.
It’s one track from the classic album “Just One of Those Things,” released in November 1957, where Billy May’s dazzling orchestral arrangement and Cole’s tender yet wistful vocals are a perfect match, conjuring a melancholic atmosphere befitting autumn.
Round MidnightThelonious Monk
There may be few songs that suit the word “midnight” as perfectly as this one.
So achingly beautiful, its wistful melody seeps into the heart; this work stands as a towering jazz-ballad masterpiece created by modern jazz giant Thelonious Monk.
In the world of its lyrics, it depicts an inescapable loneliness and yearning over lost love.
Monk’s characteristically unexpected harmonies seem to deepen that helpless emotion even further.
You can hear Monk’s own 1947 recording on the album “Genius of Modern Music Vol.
1,” and Miles Davis also featured it on his classic “’Round About Midnight.” It’s also known for the film of the same name released in 1986.
A perfect song for a long autumn night when you want to drift into your thoughts.
The Way You Look TonightTony Bennett
Tony Bennett, one of the greatest singers representing 20th-century America.
Among his many masterful performances, this is a work you’ll want to savor on a long autumn night.
Its supreme charm lies in a romantic worldview that celebrates the beauty found in a loved one’s unassuming gestures.
The gentle gaze that even finds endearment in moments of sadness seems to warmly envelop the listener’s heart.
This song was included on his 1958 album “Long Ago and Far Away,” and has been re-recorded several times since.
Notably, it gained recognition for its use in the 1997 film “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” It’s a perfect track for the chillier season, ideal for moments spent thinking of someone special.
November TwilightJulie London
Julie London, whose richly expressive voice has been described as “smoky,” captivated many jazz aficionados.
She also enjoyed success as an actress, but her sensual vocals feel especially at home on long autumn nights.
Her classic 1956 release Calendar Girl is a beloved concept album structured around monthly themes.
Among its tracks is a jazz ballad that evokes the melancholy of a November twilight.
In it, the protagonist quietly reflects on a love that has passed, and you can almost see the cold autumn wind and fallen leaves unfolding around her.
London’s whisper-soft delivery carries an intimate quality, as if a secret story were being confided right at your ear.
It’s a perfect gem for solitary autumn evenings when you want to immerse yourself deeply in the world of music.
Autumn In New YorkBillie Holiday
Billie Holiday, a female jazz vocalist who won popularity with her deeply expressive voice.
Although she passed away at a young age, her popularity remains immense even today, and she continues to be adored by countless jazz aficionados.
Among her many masterpieces, a jazz number that is especially perfect for autumn is “Autumn in New York.” Perhaps influenced by the psychological darkness she carried, her vocals are rendered delicate and fleeting.
Be sure to give it a listen.
