The Royal Road of Jazz: Classic modern jazz masterpieces. Popular tracks you should listen to at least once.
Have you ever wondered what exactly people mean by “modern jazz,” a term you often hear within jazz? If you’re new to jazz and have that question, you’re not alone.
Modern jazz generally refers to the period spanning from “bebop,” which emerged in the mid-to-late 1940s, to modal jazz, which appeared in the late 1950s.
You could even call modern jazz the classic, mainstream form of jazz, and many of the genre’s most iconic albums and songs were created during the modern jazz era.
In this article, we’ve put together a selection of great modern jazz tunes.
If you’re thinking of giving jazz a listen, this is the perfect chance to check them out!
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[The Royal Road of Jazz] Masterpieces of Modern Jazz: Popular Songs You Should Hear at Least Once (21–30)
I Remember CliffordLee Morgan
A song by “one genius” dedicated to the “genius who passed away first.” You couldn’t make sounds like this unless you were truly heartbroken.
This is one of Lee Morgan’s signature recordings.
He was a popular player with a kind of edgy swagger and sensuality that Clifford didn’t have.
Naturally, Lee Morgan was incredibly popular with the ladies.
At 33, he was shot by his girlfriend and went to join Clifford.
Lament For A Fallen Matadorjim hall
The original piece is Albinoni’s Adagio from Baroque music.
I’m not sure whether jazz has an affinity with Baroque music, or whether at the core of Western people there exists “sin,” “sorrow,” “melancholy”—a kind of deeply serious sense of dejection.
But melancholy does move the human heart.
It’s a strange thing.
And the tone of Art Farmer’s flugelhorn, as if gently placing a hand on your shoulder, brings tears to the eyes.
The Royal Road of Jazz: Masterpieces of Modern Jazz. Popular Tracks You Should Listen to at Least Once (31–40)
Road SongWes Montgomery
Wes Montgomery is famous as a jazz musician who couldn’t read sheet music.
Yet he was a genius melodist, and this track lets you fully savor his unique sound featuring octave playing (plucking two strings).
It’s perfect for when you want to take a solo, aimless drive out into the countryside.
That restless feeling that pushes you to hit the road matches beautifully with the superb melody.
Goodbye Pork Pie HatCharles Mingus
This piece, included on the jazz landmark album “Mingus Ah Um,” is a composition Charles Mingus created in 1959.
Written as a tribute to saxophonist Lester Young, the song has come to be widely recognized as a jazz standard.
Through Mingus’s bass playing and his ensemble arrangements, it pays respect to Young’s life and legacy.
The track opens with a delicate piano introduction by Horace Parlan, and saxophone solos by John Handy and Booker Ervin add emotional weight.
This instrumental, expressing deep sorrow and a sense of loss, has captured the hearts of many jazz fans.
As a pivotal work in the evolution of jazz, it stands as proof of music’s power to capture the essence of humanity.
Body and SoulColeman Hawkins
Known as one of the most iconic performances in jazz history, this piece is a masterpiece of improvisation by tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins.
Recorded in a New York studio in October 1939, it opened up new horizons for jazz improvisation.
Hawkins’s powerful sound and exploratory approach to harmony have continued to influence countless musicians.
While the song is a jazz standard with lyrics expressing deep love and longing, Hawkins’s version is instrumental, showcasing the full extent of his technique and expressiveness.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to savor the essence of jazz or experience the allure of the saxophone.
Blue in GreenMiles Davis
This beautiful ballad, included on the landmark album Kind of Blue and known as a masterpiece of modal jazz, is credited as a collaboration between Miles Davis and Bill Evans.
It was recorded on March 2, 1959, at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York.
Its delicate, lyrical melody leaves a deep impression on listeners.
The performance—woven together by Davis’s trumpet, Coltrane’s saxophone, and Evans’s piano—has been praised as a “masterpiece of unparalleled lyricism.” Covered by many musicians as a jazz standard, it continues to be loved to this day.
It’s a moving piece you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.
Salt PeanutsDizzy Gillespie
Known as a bebop classic, this piece is characterized by its energetic, happy vibe.
Co-written with Dizzy Gillespie and Kenny Clarke in 1941, it features the playful “Salt Peanuts!” refrain, highlighting the importance of humor in jazz performance.
The live recording from Jazz at Massey Hall in Toronto in 1953, which includes this track, is known as the final collaboration between Charlie Parker and Gillespie.
It’s a must-listen not only for jazz fans but also for anyone who wants to experience musical freedom and creativity.