{"id":329,"date":"2016-11-09T14:54:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-09T14:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aqipa-pure.klixpert.io\/?p=329"},"modified":"2023-01-16T08:42:42","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T08:42:42","slug":"5-best-jazz-songs-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/www.pure.com\/en-gb\/music\/5-best-jazz-songs-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 best jazz songs of all time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Back for a second year by extremely popular demand, BBC Music Jazz is all set to hit the digital airwaves for over four days of excellent music, opinions and interviews. A veritable feast of all things jazz, the pop-up station will be live from 10 to 14 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listen out for exclusive programmes hosted by the likes of Will Young, Gregory Porter and Craig Charles. All self-confessed jazz fanatics, they\u2019ll be given free rein to play their favourites. Click&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/downloads.bbc.co.uk\/radio\/jazz\/schedule.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>&nbsp;for the full 96 hour schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To commemorate, we\u2019ve taken a trip through the genre\u2019s rich history and picked out five of the very best tracks. So whether you\u2019re a jazz muso or an absolute beginner, this is the perfect pre-cursor to the return of BBC Music Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\">1. Dave Brubeck &#8211; Take Five<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"preview\"><div class=\"label\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dave Brubeck - Take Five ( Original Video)\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/PHdU5sHigYQ\/mqdefault.jpg\"\/><\/div><iframe title=\"Dave Brubeck - Take Five ( Original Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PHdU5sHigYQ?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">[]<\/script>\n\n\n<p>While jazz is commonly regarded as a varied and complex genre of music for the acquired taste, this one song successfully brought the sound to the masses. Upon its release in 1959, the record rapidly made waves around the world \u2013 rightfully earning its status as the jazz movement\u2019s defining hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aurally, the song is a masterpiece. So much so, it\u2019s widely considered the most important jazz composition of all time. A simplistically suave piano motif plays throughout, with the quartet\u2019s various instrumentalists all coming to the fore with skilful solo displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you know nothing about jazz, you will know this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\">2. Miles Davis &#8211; So What<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"preview\"><div class=\"label\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Miles Davis - So What (Official Video)\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/zqNTltOGh5c\/maxresdefault.jpg\"\/><\/div><iframe title=\"Miles Davis - So What (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zqNTltOGh5c?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">[]<\/script>\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a master class in musicianship, then you\u2019ve come to the right place. With Miles Davis leading the charge on trumpet, the late legend takes the listener on a sprawling journey of musical exploration. Anchored by his impeccable backing band, the track meanders along beautifully for over nine minutes of laid-back bliss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a real testament to Miles Davis that the track remains as progressive as ever. Away from this standout hit, Davis will forever be remembered as a luminary in jazz. He was a forerunner of major stylistic developments in jazz over his five-decade career and his music continues to influence artists to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\">3. Billie Holiday &#8211; Strange Fruit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"preview\"><div class=\"label\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Billie Holiday - Strange fruit\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/dnlTHvJBeP0\/mqdefault.jpg\"\/><\/div><iframe title=\"Billie Holiday - Strange fruit\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dnlTHvJBeP0?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">[]<\/script>\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a challenge for you: Try listening to this song without feeling goose bumps all over. Can\u2019t do it? We don\u2019t blame you. That\u2019s because this track is quite easily one of the most haunting pieces of music ever recorded. Despite only including around two minutes of actual singing, Billie Holiday\u2019s vocal is utterly mesmerising. Taking the fore over a simple backing track, she proves her mettle as arguably the best jazz singer of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lyrical content is just as compelling. Originally a poem penned in 1937 in protest of American racism, particularly the lynching of African Americans, Lady Day pours every sinew of her being into this track \u2013 impassionedly delivering a message very close to her heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\">4. John Coltrane &#8211; Acknowledgement\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"preview\"><div class=\"label\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"John Coltrane - Acknowledgement\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/qagOblqhBhk\/mqdefault.jpg\"\/><\/div><iframe title=\"John Coltrane - Acknowledgement\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qagOblqhBhk?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">[]<\/script>\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s another superb instrumental track, this time from the jazz saxophonist lovingly known as Trane. Somewhat of a musical odyssey, Acknowledgement forms the first part of the artist\u2019s four-track magnum opus entitled A Love Supreme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drenched with emotion, this expressive, beautiful record skitters along intensely \u2013 representing the artist\u2019s personal struggle for purity. On a technical level, it\u2019s also perfect. Created as a deeply spiritual piece of work, Coltrane\u2019s avant-garde styling set an indomitable precedent for not only jazz, but artistry in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"hx wp-block-heading\"> 5. Weather Report &#8211; Birdland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"preview\"><div class=\"label\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Weather Report - Birdland\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/pqashW66D7o\/mqdefault.jpg\"\/><\/div><iframe title=\"Weather Report - Birdland\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pqashW66D7o?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">[]<\/script>\n\n\n<p>For those who like their listening a bit funky, this is the song for you. Proudly at the forefront of the late 70s jazz-fusion boom, Birdland combines classic aspects of jazz with an electric, rockier sound to glorious effect. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When comparing a track of this ilk to earlier releases, it becomes salient just how flexible jazz can be. It\u2019s also what makes the genre so difficult to classify. While some may say it\u2019s a dying sound, the essence of jazz is still alive in so much of the music we hear today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you a fan of our choices? Yes? Well you\u2019re in luck, because we\u2019ve made you lovely people a Spotify playlist of the above tunes and even more! You can play music from any device through <a href=\"https:\/\/store.pure.com\/bluetoothradios\">Bluetooth<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/store.pure.com\/internetradio\">Spotify Connect<\/a> on loads of our digital radios. Our&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/store.pure.com\/autoradios\/c\/type_CarRadios\" target=\"_blank\">Highway in-car entertainment adapters<\/a>&nbsp;even let you take your favourite playlists on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: \" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/playlist\/1el1ik3JTWFMmRXKp0WMUU?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Back for a second year by extremely popular demand, BBC Music Jazz is all set to hit the digital airwaves for over four days of excellent music, opinions and interviews. A veritable feast of all things jazz, the pop-up station will be live from 10 to 14 November. Tune in!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56,58],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"lang":"en-gb","translations":{"en-gb":329},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=329"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":493,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329\/revisions\/493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}