Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces | A Selection of Classics, Old and New!

Contemporary jazz is a general term for jazz that encompasses smooth jazz and fusion.

Literally, it means “modern jazz,” but even jazz from the 1940s can fall under contemporary jazz, which may make it hard for some people to picture what it is.

This time, for those people, we’ve picked out classic contemporary jazz tracks spanning a wide range of eras.

Many of the songs are catchy, so even those who aren’t well-versed in jazz should be able to enjoy them.

Please relax and enjoy reading to the end.

Playlist

Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces \| A Selection of Classics, Old and New!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Loud JazzJohn Scofield		A highly polished fusion piece composed by John Scofield
2	West End BluesLouis Armstrong		The Allure of West End Blues
3	What You Won’t Do for LoveBobby Caldwell		Bobby Caldwell's representative AOR song
4	Under Northern LightsKeiko Matsui		Recommended Jazz Piano Works by Keiko Matsui
5	A-Tisket, A-TasketElla Fitzgerald		Ella Fitzgerald's signature songs
6	Give Me the NightGeorge Benson		Introducing George Benson’s classic songs
7	King Porter StompJelly Roll Morton		A classic stomp jazz piece composed by Jelly Roll Morton
8	Lester Leaps InCount Basie		Count Basie’s challenging jazz works
9	Strange FruitBillie Holiday		Billie Holiday’s protest song against racial discrimination
10	Body and SoulColeman Hawkins		Coleman Hawkins's career as a saxophonist
11	I Got RhythmEric Reed		The complex jazz of Eric Reed’s masterpieces
12	A Night In TunisiaDizzy Gillespie		Dizzy Gillespie’s Contributions to the Popularization of Bebop and an Introduction to His Works
13	LibraMARY LOU WILLIAMS		Mary Lou Williams's classic jazz works
14	AngstBrad Mehldau		A masterpiece by a jazz pianist who incorporates rock
15	I Can’t Stand The RainCassandra Wilson		A jazz singer uniquely arranges a cover song
16	Take the a trainDuke Ellington		Take the 'A' Train · Jazz Standard
17	OrnithologyCharlie Parker		Parker’s bebop signature tune
18	Cast Your Fate to the WindDavid Benoit		Introduction to Representative Works by Jazz Pianists from California
19	SleepwalkLarry Carlton		A catchy jazz tune by Larry Carlton
20	Sweet Georgia PeachRussell Malone		Introduction to Russell Malone's Jazz Guitar Works