Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.
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.
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Classic jazz songs in Western music. Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
L-O-V-ENat King Cole
Nat King Cole’s classic “L-O-V-E.” You’ve probably heard it, right? His slightly innocent, charming voice makes your heart skip a beat! When the big band joins in partway through, its sparkling sound creates a wonderfully fun vibe.
It’s a light, romantic song that’s perfect for a date!
SpainChick Corea
Released in 1972.
It was first introduced by Chick Corea’s band Return to Forever.
The piece opens with the second movement of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.
This mellow atmosphere suddenly shifts into hot jazz.
It has been covered by various musicians, and in Japan Ayaka Hirahara and Toshinobu Kubota added lyrics and performed it.
Fly Me to the MoonDiana Krall
A cover by Diana Krall, a female jazz singer active in the 21st century.
Her rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” is performed with an arrangement close to Frank Sinatra’s version, and her handsome voice suits it perfectly.
Let yourself be intoxicated by her vocals, scented with a mature allure!
Duet Solo DancersCharles Mingus
The album The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, released in 1963 by bassist Charles Mingus.
In Japan it was given the somewhat dubious title “Kuroi Seija to Tsumi Aru Onna” (“The Black Saint and the Sinful Woman”), but this album—recorded by a large 11-piece band—is a grand work in the form of a suite.
Among its tracks, Duet Solo Dancers is constructed like a film score, offering a variety of developments to enjoy.
MistyErroll Garner
It’s a piece composed in 1954 by jazz pianist Erroll Garner.
It’s said that while Garner was traveling by plane, a charming melody suddenly came to him in the midst of fog.
With its sweet and approachable style, it’s often used as background music in popular vocal settings.
My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane
A song featured in the musical film The Sound of Music that is also famous as a jazz standard.
Among the many covers by various musicians, the most widely recognized is John Coltrane’s version.
You can sense the process by which Coltrane transformed the style he learned from Miles Davis into a new world.
His choice to perform it on soprano saxophone was quite unusual for the time.
My Back PagesKeith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is a well-known pianist in Japan, and he has left many classic recordings in both trio and solo formats.
Among his early works, a recommended piece is the song “My Back Pages.” It’s a folk classic performed in a jazz style, and it has a very sentimental feel.