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.

Playlist

Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Moanin’Art Blakey		The jazz classic “Moanin’” is a masterpiece.
2	Take FiveDave Brubeck, Paul Desmond		The untold story behind the birth of the 5/4 time signature classic “Take Five”
3	So WhatMiles Davis		The innovative jazz classic “So What”
4	Blue TrainJohn Coltrane		The appeal of the jazz masterpiece “Blue Train”
5	Autumn LeavesCannonball Adderley		Jazz standard song 'Autumn Leaves'
6	Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones		Nora Jones's classic song 'Don’t Know Why'
7	Take The A TrainDuke Ellington		Duke Ellington’s classic ‘Take the “A” Train’
8	ConfirmationCharlie Parker		Charlie Parker's bebop masterpiece
9	Waltz For DebbyBill Evans		Bill Evans, the poet of jazz piano
10	Sing Sing SingBenny Goodman		Iconic masterpieces of swing music
11	What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong		Louis Armstrong's masterpiece
12	I Love You For Sentimental ReasonsNat King Cole		Love songs recorded by Nat King Cole
13	When You Wish upon a StarKeith Jarrett		The famous song from Pinocchio that puts wishes upon a star
14	Street Fighter MasKamasi Washington		Kamal Washington’s musical style
15	Days Of Wine & RosesOscar Peterson Trio		Oscar Peterson's legendary piano trio performance
16	UnforgettableNatalie Cole		Nat King Cole's classic ballad
17	Watermelon ManHerbie Hancock		Hancock’s early works that revolutionized jazz and were highly influential
18	Maiden VoyageRobert Glasper		Jazz is a form of music that continues to evolve even today.
19	Feel Like Making LoveMarlena Shaw		An adult number, a classic by Marlena Shaw.
20	Take TenPaul Desmond		Paul Desmond’s unconventional 5/4-time piece
21	A Love Supreme, Pt. I – AcknowledgementJohn Coltrane		The innovative genius of the jazz giant, Coltrane
22	Duet Solo DancersCharles Mingus		Mingus’s large-scale jazz suite, a grand musical world
23	L-O-V-ENat King Cole		A lighthearted love song, 'L-O-V-E'
24	SpainChick Corea		Released by Chick Corea in 1972
25	MistyErroll Garner		Erroll Garner’s classic melody in the mist
26	My Back PagesKeith Jarrett		Performance of Keith Jarrett’s famous piece
27	I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I’m Loving You)Benny Goodman		The charm of swing jazz, a fun music
28	In The MoodGlenn Miller		Glenn Miller’s signature songs and beloved classics
29	St.ThomasSonny Rollins		A jazz standard by Sonny Rollins
30	Someday My Prince Will ComeDave Brubeck		Snow White’s song becomes a jazz classic
31	RivedertiMario Biondi		A soul singer from Italy, known for their captivating low voice.
32	Fly Me to the MoonDiana Krall		Diana Krall’s mature singing voice
33	My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane		Covers of classic jazz songs influenced by Miles
34	Lonely WomanOrnette Coleman		A famous song distinguished by Coleman’s dissonance
35	Lullaby Of BirdlandCharlie Parker		Searing’s famous piece inspired by a jazz club
36	Someday My Prince Will ComeMiles Davis		Miles Davis's romantic performance
37	On the Sunny Side of the StreetThe Manhattan Transfer		The History of Jazz Standards
38	Cleopatra’s DreamBud Powell		Popular Bud Powell tunes in Japan
39	Moonlight SerenadeGLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA		Glen Miller’s Theme Song
40	Infant EyesWayne Shorter		Wayne, the saxophonist’s classic ballad
41	Night in TunisiaArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers		A jazz classic that portrays the night of Tunisia
42	It’s Only A Paper MoonNat King Cole		Nat King Cole’s hit song “When You Wish Upon a Star”
43	Nostalgia (The Day I Knew)Samara Joy		Samara Joy’s classic, basking in memories
44	Dancing In Your HeadOrnette Coleman		The evolution of Coleman’s musical style
45	Bésame MuchoArt Pepper		A masterpiece composed by 16-year-old Consuelo
46	Left AloneEric Dolphy		Dolphy is a fusion of avant-garde and hard bop.
47	A Sunday Kind Of LoveEtta James		Etta James’s classic, A Sunday Kind of Love
48	Begin The BeguineMichael Bublé		Michael Bublé's jazz classics
49	Stolen MomentsOliver Nelson		Saxophonist, composer, and musician with ties to Japan
50	Sakura StampYano Saori		The Charm of Spring: Saori Yano’s Jazz Album
51	SpiritsAlbert Ayler		The passion of free jazz pioneer Albert Ayler
52	I’m In The Mood For LoveJames Moody		A jazz classic with captivating improvisation
53	Blue MoonMel Tormé		The famous song that became well-known from the movie “Babe.”
54	GhostsAlbert Ayler		The individuality of Ayler, a standard-bearer of avant-garde jazz
55	My Funny VaentineChet Baker		The Birth of the Classic Song “What Love Is”
56	Little Brown JogGLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA		Little Brown Jug was released in 1869.
57	SomosBuika		Outstanding vocal performance in jazz fused with flamenco
58	Georgia On My MindRay Charles		A classic song sung by Ray Charles
59	Goodbye Pork Pie HatCharles Mingus		Mingus’s jazz piece, a memorial ballad for Young
60	All of MeBillie Holiday		Be captivated by the deep singing voice of Billie Holiday.
61	AntiguaElvin Jones		Elvin Jones’s performances in Japan
62	CameleonHerbie Hancock		Hancock, a pioneer of electric jazz
63	Softly, as in a Morning SunriseSonny Clark		Enchanted by the heart-stealing classic by Sonny Clark
64	C Jam BluesCharles Mingus		Ellington-composed songs popular among jazz beginners
65	Stars Fell on AlabamaCannonball Adderley		The saxophonist Adderley’s masterful performance
66	Give Me the NightGeorge Benson		The famous piece by jazz guitarist Benson
67	I Got RhythmHampton Hawes		Hampton Hawes is a captivating master of cool jazz piano.
68	Moonlight in VermontZoot Sims		A masterful performance by saxophonist Zoot Sims
69	In a sentimental moodDuke Ellington & John Coltrane		Ellington and Coltrane’s beautiful jazz
70	Central Park WestJohn Coltrane		Coltrane’s spring masterpiece, a serene allure
71	Now’s the TimeCharlie Parker		Charlie Parker's masterpieces and achievements
72	Hat And BeardEric Dolphy		Explanation of Eric Dolphy's classic jazz albums
73	Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock		Herbie Hancock's Innovative Jazz
74	Giant StepsJohn Coltrane		John Coltrane’s jazz album
75	Circles On BlackJosh Lawrence		An ambitious work that expresses the innovativeness of jazz through color
76	CountryKeith Jarrett		A signature piece by Keith Jarrett
77	West End BluesLouis Armstrong		Louis Armstrong vocal edition
78	Memories Of YouLouis Armstrong		The classic performed by Rui and Benny
79	BoplicityMiles Davis		Miles Davis, the innovator of modern jazz
80	SummertimeNina Simone		Gershwin’s masterpieces are beloved across multiple genres.
81	Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark		The famous track from the jazz masterpiece “Cool Struttin’.”
82	OleoSonny Rollins		A rhythm changes tune by the saxophonist Rollins
83	Round MidnightThelonious Monk		Adult jazz classic 'Round Midnight'
84	Kurdish DanceYamashita Yōsuke		Yosuke Yamashita, an energetic jazz pianist
85	Red TopErroll Garner		Jazz pianist, unique groove and free-form playing
86	Black GoldEsperanza Spalding		Esperanza, a multi-talented female jazz bassist
87	Spanish KeyMiles Davis Sextet		Miles Davis's groundbreaking masterpiece
88	A Lover’s ConcertoSarah Vaughan		Sarah Vaughan's 'A Lover's Concerto'
89	Blue MonkThelonious Monk		Thelonious Monk’s original blues piece
90	AlfieSonny Rollins		Jazz master Rollins and the classic song 'Alfie'
91	It’s Only a Paper MoonElla Fitzgerald		A classic that brings sparkle to everyday life through the power of love
92	Satin DollOscar Peterson		A masterful performance by the pianist Oscar Peterson
93	Golden EarringsRay Bryant		Moved by Ray Bryant’s masterpiece
94	Social CallSamara Joy		A captivating visit song with a jazz tune
95	All of YouMiles Davis		Miles Davis's famous masterpiece
96	The Girl From IpanemaStan Getz		The samba song 'The Girl from Ipanema' became a worldwide hit.
97	Work SongCannonball Adderley Quintet		Jazz standard, a masterful performance by Cannonball Adderley
98	Night And DayFrank Sinatra		A passionate classic from a tap dance film
99	Over the RainbowJudy Garland		Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the famous song from The Wizard of Oz
100	You And The Night And The MusicMal Waldon trio		A classic that exudes the atmosphere of a jazz club
101	Autumn In New YorkBillie Holiday		The autumn classic “Autumn Leaves” is music that resonates with the heart.
102	TenderlySara Vaughan		A jazz classic, made a hit by Sarah Vaughan