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[Jazz Intro] Classic Jazz Tracks Recommended for First-Time Listeners

I imagine there are many people who are interested in jazz but don’t know where to start listening.

To be honest, I used to be one of them.

Traditional jazz can seem a bit intimidating, and even when I try some of the recent hit vocal albums, I can’t tell how they’re different from pop.

The more I look into it, the more confusing it gets… you know the feeling.

So I’ve picked out some tracks that balance “clarity” and a genuine “jazz vibe,” ones I can recommend even to first-time listeners.

You might be surprised to recognize some famous tunes and think, “Wait, this is jazz too?”

Playlist

[Jazz Intro] Classic Jazz Tracks Recommended for First-Time Listeners
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastMoanin’Art Blakey
Moanin'Art Blakeyplay_arrow
Jazz drummer Art Blakey 1...
2eastAutumn LeavesChet Baker&Paul Desmond
Autumn LeavesChet Baker&Paul Desmondplay_arrow
Also known by its Japanese title “Kareha” (Fallen Leaves)…
3eastWaltz for DebbyBill Evans
Waltz for DebbyBill Evansplay_arrow
The o... of jazz pianist Bill Evans
4eastMy Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane
My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltraneplay_arrow
The musical “The Sound of Musi…
5eastL-O-V-ENat King Cole
L-O-V-ENat King Coleplay_arrow
"LOVE," known for its bright and lighthearted sound, is popular...
6eastRound MidnightMiles Davis
Round MidnightMiles Davisplay_arrow
The pi… composed by pianist Thelonious Monk
7eastNow’s The TimeCharlie Parker
Now's The TimeCharlie Parkerplay_arrow
There are many great tunes in the 12-bar jazz blues...
8eastSomeday My Prince Will ComeBill Evans
Someday My Prince Will ComeBill Evansplay_arrow
In Japanese, the title is 'Someday My Prince Will Come'...
9eastDays Of Wine And RosesOscar Peterson
Days Of Wine And RosesOscar Petersonplay_arrow
It’s often said that this is a must-have introductory CD for jazz beginners…
10eastFly Me To The MoonFrank Sinatra
Fly Me To The MoonFrank Sinatraplay_arrow
Not only jazz, but also set to the rhythm of bossa nova...
11eastMoonlight SerenadeGlenn Miller
Moonlight SerenadeGlenn Millerplay_arrow
In 1939, the trombonist Glenn Mi...
12eastOver the RainbowKeith Jarrett
Over the RainbowKeith Jarrettplay_arrow
When you think of Keith Jarrett, “Concert...
13eastTake the “A” TrainDuke Ellington
Take the "A" TrainDuke Ellingtonplay_arrow
In Japan, it’s known by the title “Take the A Train”…
14eastSt. ThomasSonny Rollins
St. ThomasSonny Rollinsplay_arrow
In jazz, terms like “swing” and “bounce bi…
15eastLittle Peace in CMICHEL PETRUCCIANI
Little Peace in CMICHEL PETRUCCIANIplay_arrow
In traditional jazz, the bass is a wood ba…
16eastWatermelon ManHerbie Hancock
Watermelon ManHerbie Hancockplay_arrow
Herbie Hancock’s “Watermel…”
17eastMy Funny ValentineChet Baker
My Funny ValentineChet Bakerplay_arrow
Among the great jazz standards, the gently mellow, slow...
18eastBright Size LifePat Metheny
Bright Size LifePat Methenyplay_arrow
Beyond the framework of traditional jazz guitar, uniq...
19eastCleopatra’s DreamBud Powell
Cleopatra's DreamBud Powellplay_arrow
It's characterized by melodious, easy-to-listen-to solos...
20eastMorning SpriteChick Corea
Morning SpriteChick Coreaplay_arrow
The classic go-to rec— for songs recommended to jazz beginners...
21eastCountdownJohn Coltrane
CountdownJohn Coltraneplay_arrow
Dai performs a classic from Coltrane’s greatest masterpiece
22eastWhat A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong
What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrongplay_arrow
A song that even people who aren’t interested in jazz know
23eastCentral Park WestJohn Coltrane
Central Park WestJohn Coltraneplay_arrow
Coltrane’s spring masterpiece, a serene allure
24eastAlmost BlueChet Baker
Almost BlueChet Bakerplay_arrow
It may not be all that well-known, but…
25eastBags’ GrooveMilt Jackson
Bags' GrooveMilt Jacksonplay_arrow
A “jazz blues” composed of 12 bars…
26eastGiant StepsJohn Coltrane
Giant StepsJohn Coltraneplay_arrow
Among famous jazz tunes are some fiendishly difficult pieces that make even seasoned players want to cry…
27eastTake FiveDave Brubeck
Take FiveDave Brubeckplay_arrow
What is famous for its distinctive rhythm in 5/4 time is…
28eastI Got RhythmSonny Stitt
I Got RhythmSonny Stittplay_arrow
One of the jazz chord progressions is the “Rhythm Ch…”.
29eastSummertimeElla Fitzgerald
SummertimeElla Fitzgeraldplay_arrow
Just from the title, it seems like an upbeat, summery...
30eastCaravanDuke Ellington
CaravanDuke Ellingtonplay_arrow
Released in the United States in 2014, it won an Academy...
31eastSpring, Spring, SpringJohnny Mercer
Spring, Spring, SpringJohnny Mercerplay_arrow
A jazz standard that portrays the vitality of spring
32eastSing Sing SingBenny Goodman
Sing Sing SingBenny Goodmanplay_arrow
The 2004 Japa… starring Juri Ueno…
33eastSatin DollJoe Pass
Satin DollJoe Passplay_arrow
Even if you say “jazz guitar,” I’m not very familiar with jazz…