Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners

All The Things You AreCharlie Parker

All The Things You Are

It’s a masterpiece with a wonderfully romantic theme, as if whispering, “Your very existence is the greatest song to me.” The sweet, beautiful melody was vividly rendered with passionate saxophone by jazz innovator Charlie Parker.

Originally composed for the 1939 musical Very Warm for May and later used in film, it’s a standard number.

Parker’s performance is best known from a live recording made in March 1948, where you can revel in his thrilling improvisation on such classic releases as Summit Meeting at Birdland.

Perfect for anyone who wants to feel the heat of jazz firsthand—Parker’s free and passionate sound world will surely set your heart dancing.

The Girl From IpanemaStan Getz & Joao Gilberto

The Girl From Ipanema

Opening with a light, breezy guitar that evokes the gentle winds of Brazil, this piece is one of the most famous tracks on the collaborative album Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz and João Gilberto.

Its romantic theme—yearning for the beautiful girl from Ipanema—resonates sweetly and poignantly through João Gilberto’s whisper-like Portuguese and Astrud Gilberto’s English vocals.

The recording won Record of the Year at the 7th Annual Grammy Awards in 1965 and was performed at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Stan Getz’s cool, lustrous saxophone solo perfectly complements the languid yet stylish atmosphere born from the fusion of jazz and bossa nova.

It’s a classic you’ll want to relax with on a leisurely afternoon.

Infant EyesWayne Shorter

Infant Eyes (Remastered1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

A fantastical ballad that remains beloved by many as one of Wayne Shorter’s signature works.

Dedicated to his beloved daughter, the piece centers on a theme of deep, warm affection, as if gazing into her pure eyes.

Why not listen to its mysterious, beautiful melody while picturing a fog-wreathed landscape and the flowers blooming within it? This track appears on the classic album Speak No Evil, released in June 1966.

Although it had no commercial tie-ins, the fact that it has been covered by many musicians in later years speaks to its timeless appeal.

It is a masterpiece perfectly suited for moments when you want to immerse yourself in the lyrical world of jazz or savor music on a quiet night.

My One and Only LoveJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

My One And Only Love

A gem of a jazz ballad woven from a deep, warm singing voice and a saxophone that seems to gently accompany it.

It is known as a miraculous collaboration between John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.

The song expresses wholehearted, devoted love dedicated to an irreplaceable person, and its romantic worldview is sure to draw everyone in.

This piece is included on the classic 1963 album “John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman,” and, remarkably, the session was recorded in just one day in March 1963.

Perfect for a quiet night alone or for enjoying a special atmosphere with someone you care about.

You can savor the profound allure that jazz has to offer.

Giant StepsKenny Garrett

John Coltrane – Giant Steps (2020 Remaster) [Official Audio]

From a live performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Kenny Garrett, who has performed with Miles Davis and Art Blakey, is one of the leading saxophonists of our time.

Even on this Giant Steps, he delivers a commanding performance that stands shoulder to shoulder with Coltrane.

Kenny Kirkland’s brilliantly inspired piano makes it a truly electrifying session.

So WhatMiles Davis

So What

A signature track by the trumpeter and composer Miles Davis.

Many even call him the “King of Jazz,” and his music is cherished around the world.

Within the quiet flow of this piece, his unique sensibility shines—be sure to listen closely to his trumpet playing.

It’s a classic jazz number that lets you feel a mature “mood” that children might not yet appreciate.

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A Night in TunisiaDizzy Gillespie

A Night In Tunisia

Dizzy Gillespie, known as a founder of bebop.

The piece he crafted, notable for its Afro-Cuban rhythms, is widely loved as a jazz standard.

Its complex rhythms and harmonies with a distinctive sense of floating instantly transport listeners to an exotic world.

Originally titled “Interlude,” it later took on its current form.

Gillespie’s own recording from February 1946 has been highly acclaimed, including induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers also featured it on their classic album “A Night in Tunisia.” It’s a perfect track for a night when you want to step away from the everyday and sink into a passionate mood.