Today's Jazz: Tunes for today! A selection of timeless classics and contemporary jazz

caravanNew York Jazz Trio

New York Jazz Trio – Caravan (29/05/2010)

Each instrument was featured, allowing us to fully savor its unique character.

Caravan is a familiar tune, but hearing it presented so luxuriantly makes even wandering feel right, leaving you with a rich, contented feeling.

The performers are all clearly enjoying the music as well.

Boomerang Boogie ~Uncle from Nampūdō~PE’Z

Boomerang Boogie ~Nanpudo No Ojisan~

This is the theme song of the sci-fi anime GAD GUARD, set on Earth hundreds of years in the future.

It’s a track by the jazz instrumental band PE’Z.

It starts with a lively piano and maintains a sense of speed throughout, so be sure to give it a listen!

MinuanoPat Metheny Group

Pat Metheny Group / Pat Metheny “Minuano (6/8)”

This is the 1992 “Live Under The Sky” concert.

Among the Pat Metheny Group’s great performances, I believe this is the pinnacle.

It feels like Metheny’s music reaches its ultimate form here.

Metheny truly is one of a kind—there may be no one who can climb to these heights.

Pedro Aznar’s cool yet resolute playing also leaves a strong impression.

Seikan HikouPlatina Jazz

Anime Jazz Cover | Seikan Hikou (from Macross Frontier) by Platina Jazz (Live Version)

This is a video featuring a jazz arrangement of ‘Seikan Hikou,’ the insert song from the anime Macross Frontier that became a huge hit among anime fans at the time.

The original has a slightly nostalgic feel, but in a jazz arrangement it feels fresh again, doesn’t it? Jazz really has a wonderfully mysterious sense of style.

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Saitō Ayumu

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The Galaxy Express 999Platina Jazz

Anime Jazz Cover | The Galaxy Express 999 (from Galaxy Express 999) by Platina Jazz (Live Version)

If you’re an adult in Japan, you’ve probably seen Galaxy Express 999 at least once, right? This video features a jazz arrangement of the theme song from the film Galaxy Express 999, originally by Godiego.

It’s amazing how simply changing the rhythm and harmony can turn it into such a stylish jazz piece.

It’s a different song from the TV anime version—the TV version had a very Showa-era kayōkyoku feel, while the movie version is a bright tune about traveling through space, which likely resonated with modern audiences and made it famous.

Listening to the swing jazz version makes me want to drink wine on a train.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Darktown Strutters ‘BallShelton Brooks

“The Darktown Strutters Ball” -Miff Mole and his Molers

A lively rhythm and the refreshing tone of the horn section.

It’s a jazz standard that was used in the cartoon Tom and Jerry.

When you listen, you can picture Tom chasing Jerry.

It’s an anime that features countless jazz masterpieces.

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Araki Jakkan

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Moonlight LegendAnime Zatto Jazu Ni

Moonlight Legend

This track is included on Anime That Jazz II, an album that arranges classic anime songs into jazz.

All That Jazz sets the original—an anthem about the love and fate of a magical girl heroine—to a swinging rhythm, giving it a distinctly jazz sound.

While preserving the poppy spirit of the original, the piano melodies and smooth rhythms create a more mature atmosphere.

Released in October 2010, the album also features songs from Neon Genesis Evangelion and Dragon Ball Z.

Highly recommended for fans of both jazz and anime songs.

Listening to this record will make you feel both nostalgic and refreshed.