[Western Jazz] A Special Feature on Standard Numbers You’ve Heard at Least Once
When you hear the term “jazz standards,” what songs come to mind?
In fact, many of the tunes you’ve probably heard at least once in TV commercials or as background music in department stores are jazz standards.
This time, with “standards” as our theme—beloved for years as jazz music—we’ll introduce a wide range of classics, from songs originally written for films that went on to be covered repeatedly by jazz artists, to numbers composed by jazz musicians themselves.
We’ll present a broad lineup spanning everything from famous prewar pieces and postwar modern jazz to notable ’70s fusion tracks and even popular music from the ’80s.
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[Western Jazz] A Special Feature on Standard Numbers You’ve Probably Heard at Least Once (21–30)
Waltz For DebbyBill Evans Trio
Bill Evans, an intellectual and beautiful musician known as the “Poet of Jazz Piano,” left his name in history with his original style.
As a composer, he also wrote many masterpieces that countless later artists have rushed to cover.
Among them, Waltz for Debby—the piece introduced here—is a timeless classic cherished as a standard number; as the title suggests, its friendly melody set to a waltz rhythm is something even non-jazz fans have likely heard at least once.
While the version on the 1961 live album of the same name is by far the most famous, the piece actually first appeared on Evans’s 1957 release New Jazz Conceptions, his debut as a leader.
The earliest version was recorded as a piano solo by Evans, and on the aforementioned live album it’s performed by a legendary jazz trio: Evans, the brilliant bassist Scott LaFaro—who died at the young age of 25—and drummer Paul Motian, a long-standing pillar of the jazz scene.
StardustNat King Cole
If you spent your youth in the 1960s, you might remember The Peanuts singing it on the music show “Shabondama Holiday,” and if you came of age in the ’80s, perhaps you recall it as the song used in the commercial for Toyota’s first-generation Carina ED.
The world-famous jazz standard “Stardust” was composed in 1927 by American songwriter Hoagy Carmichael, known for pieces like “Georgia on My Mind,” and it was originally an instrumental.
A few years later, in 1929, lyricist Mitchell Parish added words to it, and in 1931 Bing Crosby’s rendition became a hit, bringing the song widespread recognition.
Since then, it has become a beloved classic performed by many jazz musicians, both as an instrumental and as a vocal number.
Among the versions especially well-known in Japan is Nat King Cole’s cover.
The commercial mentioned earlier also used Cole’s version, and even the great Hibari Misora featured “Stardust” as the opening track on her 1965 album “Hibari Sings Jazz — In Memory of Nat King Cole.” The lyrics, which seem to reminisce about a past romance, have a gently bittersweet touch—not exactly a sad song, but one that evokes sweet memories, which is a lovely mood indeed!
My Funny VallentineFrank Sinatra
When you hear the famous jazz standard “My Funny Valentine,” do you first think of a vocal version or an instrumental one? In this article, I introduce Frank Sinatra’s vocal rendition, but the tune has been covered in many forms by numerous musicians—for example, Miles Davis featured it as the opening track on his 1957 album Cookin’, and Jim Hall and Bill Evans covered it at a much faster tempo than the original on their classic album Undercurrent.
The song was originally composed by Richard Rodgers—who left an indelible mark on American music with his vast body of work, particularly in musical theater—for the musical Babes in Arms, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart, Rodgers’s well-known collaborator.
By the way, among jazz singer covers, Chet Baker’s vocal version is also extremely famous.
It appears on the West Coast jazz classic Chet Baker Sings, released in 1956.
Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock
Even in the 2020s, well into his eighties, Herbie Hancock remains a powerhouse on the front lines of the jazz scene, combining extraordinary musicianship with a sensibility unbound by established styles.
A creator of multiple masterpieces etched into jazz history, Hancock has also released many compositions that later artists frequently cover as standards.
This time, we’re focusing on the title track from his 1965 masterpiece album Maiden Voyage.
Known in Japan as “Shojo Kōkai” (“Maiden Voyage”), it’s one of Hancock’s signature works and a hugely famous piece—likely to rank near the top of any list of all-time great jazz tunes.
As the album’s cover art and title suggest, it’s a work themed around the sea.
From the instantly recognizable opening piano phrase, the piece unfolds with a grandeur and elegance that conjure vast ocean vistas, leading into the main theme stated by the horns.
While the melody isn’t exactly “catchy” or overtly accessible, the song’s unique world deepens in flavor the more you listen.
Robert Glasper, a pianist who has led the jazz scene since the 2000s, has also interpreted this piece in his own work, so be sure to check that out as well!
Spring, Spring, SpringJohnny Mercer
A charming song with a buoyant melody that brims with springtime vitality and witty lyrics.
The spring scenes depicted by Johnny Mercer, one of America’s preeminent lyricists, warmly convey nature’s joy and renewal through images of creatures like frogs and ducks.
Released in June 1954 by the M-G-M Studio Orchestra, it colored key scenes in that year’s musical film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
The piece found new luster in 1976 in a duet by Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
A heartwarming jazz standard, perfect for morning walks or springtime outings.
Round MidnightThelonious Monk
Somehow, just seeing the title ‘Round Midnight gives you a distinctly cool vibe, doesn’t it? And of course, the piece itself is an incredibly cool and beautiful classic.
‘Round Midnight was composed by Thelonious Monk—one of the giants of jazz, famed for his uniquely improvised piano style and for writing many standards—and was unveiled in 1944.
As for Monk’s own recordings, the first is considered to be from 1947, which you can hear on the 1951 release Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1.
It’s also well known that Miles Davis frequently featured this tune; on his 1956 masterpiece ‘Round About Midnight, it appears as the opening track.
While ‘Round Midnight is one of the most famous jazz standards, it also comes with many mysteries: it’s said that the original version was composed when Monk was 19, the first recording was by a band led by Cootie Williams, and the version known today as the standard differs from Monk’s original—fascinating, isn’t it?
FootprintsWayne Shorter
Here is a masterpiece that revolutionized the world of jazz.
While based on a 12-bar blues form, it captivates listeners with its distinctive rhythms and harmonies.
Polyrhythms rooted in African music and unconventional chord progressions convey a profound musicality.
First released in 1966 on the album “Adam’s Apple,” this piece was also included that same year on Miles Davis’s album “Miles Smiles,” leaving a major impact on the jazz world.
It’s highly recommended for those interested in the history and evolution of jazz, as well as for anyone who enjoys complex rhythms and harmonies.
Take your time and savor this track, which encapsulates Wayne Shorter’s spirit of musical exploration.