Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
With the motto “Learn the basics and enjoy putting them into practice,” I worked as a vocal coach specializing in Western music. As a teen, I questioned the idea that “Western music equals English,” and started listening to songs from around the world. Today, I devour music from over 80 countries and run a personal blog introducing tracks. I often listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. I’ll keep updating articles daily to find the one perfect song you’re looking for!

Jazz has a longer history than rock or pop and encompasses many subgenres, so it’s no surprise that many people feel it’s a bit intimidating to get into.

Some may have a mental block because of the image they have of jazz, but in fact, there are countless famous jazz tunes you’ve probably heard somewhere—whether as timeless standards loved across generations, or as songs used in commercials and film scores.

In this article, we’ve gathered recommended classics and popular tracks that even jazz beginners can enjoy.

Focusing on vintage jazz numbers while mixing in standout tracks from contemporary jazz artists who’ve been attracting attention in recent years, we present a richly varied selection.

Classic Western jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks (71–80)

Memories Of YouLouis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong – Memories Of You – Los Angeles, 16.10. 1930

Memories Of YouLouis Armstrong

Composed in 1930, the song was first recorded by Louis Armstrong, and Benny Goodman’s version later became a hit.

The piece is also known for Goodman’s signature intro.

Because his performance was such a big success, it came to be seen as an essential number for clarinetists.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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BoplicityMiles Davis

Boplicity (Remastered)

BoplicityMiles Davis

Trumpeter Miles Davis, sometimes called the “Emperor of Modern Jazz,” walked alongside the history of jazz, taking on different forms of expression in each era.

On his 1957 album Birth of the Cool, however, he performs a relaxed, softly shaded style of jazz.

Known in Japan as “The Birth of Cool,” this album is considered the origin of cool jazz, and among its tracks, Boplicity stands out as a masterpiece whose delicate expression lingers in the ear.

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SummertimeNina Simone

Nina Simone – Summertime

SummertimeNina Simone

Composed by George Gershwin in 1935 for the opera Porgy and Bess, with lyrics by DuBose Heyward.

It is known as a jazz standard.

It has been widely sung across genres such as pop and rock, resulting in numerous cover versions.

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Classic Western jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks (81–90)

Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark

Cool Struttin’

Cool Struttin'Sonny Clark

The title track of Sonny Clark, a genius pianist in the jazz world, released in 1958, “Cool Struttin’,” is said to be a number that every jazz fan knows.

The tracks on the same album comprise some of the most played songs in the history of Japanese jazz kissaten (jazz cafés), making it a popular recommendation both for beginners and devoted enthusiasts.

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Hoshino Takashi

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OleoSonny Rollins

Oleo

OleoSonny Rollins

Composed in 1954 by the iconic tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, this tune uses the Rhythm Changes chord progression.

Pieces that use Rhythm Changes are often played at fast tempos, and because the progression is so well known, they really fire up the crowd when performed at jam sessions.

The slightly tricky head is super cool, isn’t it?

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Round MidnightThelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk – ‘round Midnight

Round MidnightThelonious Monk

It’s the song “Round Midnight” by American jazz pianist Thelonious Monk.

It’s a classic that involved various artists in its creation, with trumpet player Cootie Williams and songwriter Bernie Hanighen adding lyrics, among others.

It’s a very cool, mature kind of jazz piece.

Perfect for sleepless nights.

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Kurdish DanceYamashita Yōsuke

“Kurdish Dance” by Yosuke Yamashita, Kazumi Watanabe, and Ryuichiro Senoo in Iga

Kurdish DanceYamashita Yōsuke

Yosuke Yamashita is, needless to say, one of Japan’s leading jazz pianists.

He is a globally renowned free jazz performer, yet his playing is driven by energy that bursts forth from within.

Kurdish Dance is a later-period piece themed around the Kurdish people, and its exotic melodies are rendered in an accessible, listener-friendly way.

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