Jazz has always encouraged expressiveness, paving the way for original music that continues to inspire and engage the audience. And the blues? Well, they convey human emotions in ways that the audience can relate to, shifting from personal to societal issues. Combine the two, and you get jazz blues, a genre that takes the best of both worlds. Not only do you get to enjoy emotional expression that tugs at your feelings, but you also get to experience creative improvisation, harmonic and rhythmic complexity, and a tie to cultural and historical roots. It’s no wonder this genre has become so popular.
But which songs carry the day? We have a list that should make it to your next listening or playing session.
The Best of Jazz Blues
Striking a balance between two musical genres is not always easy. But these artists make it look like a walk in the park:
All Blues
By Miles Davis.
Are you in the mood to be introspective? If yes, this is the song for you. It takes on a relaxed and smooth melody that takes you on a self-reflection journey. Like most jazz songs, you can expect quite a sophisticated rhythmic play. But Miles does an excellent job of integrating the blues to steer you on that calm path where you can get lost in your reflections.
Blue Monk
By Thelonious Monk.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that jazz blues have to have complex rhythms. But as this song has proven time and again, the answer sometimes lies in simplicity. In this song, Thelonious focuses on a catchy yet uniquely simple melody that pushes the audience closer to exploring deep emotions yet still serving as a great party song.
Stormy Monday
By T-Bone Walker.
People don’t just make covers out of any song. Instead, they do so with masterpieces, as is the case with this song, which has become the go-to for many budding musicians. It differentiates itself with its slow yet emotional rhythm. Add the fact that it centers on the challenges of life and heartbreaks, and it’s easy to see why this is such an emotionally appealing song. After all, music only works if the audience can resonate with it.
Freddie Freeloader
By Miles Davis.
Miles is one of the greats so it makes sense that he gets another slot on our list. After all, how can we leave out this track, which focuses on a relatable character? The song is about that friend who always claims to be broke. As Miles carries on with his incredible rhythmic variation, you can’t help but feel upbeat, probably relating the story to someone you have heard of or know. This relatability is part of the reason this song stands out.
Blues for Alice
By Charlie Parker.
We can all agree that life is both beautiful and complex. Sometimes, everything falls into place; at others, things fall apart, and at others, you are somewhere in the middle of these extremes. This song communicates as much, taking on the soul of the blues and working in the complexity of jazz music, culminating in a tune that is just oh-so-perfect. It’s an inspiring tune that you can listen to when you want a pick-me-up or one you can learn to play to figure out how to convey the desires of the soul.
C Jam Blues
By Duke Ellington.
Practicing jazz blues can feel a bit challenging. After all, how do you capture emotions and find a way to improvise to show off your creativity? This musical piece solves these issues in one go. For one, it uses an easy structure that musicians can build on for their improvisation. Secondly, it is catchy, which makes it a top hit for anyone looking for something that can engage their audience. So, whether you are looking for something to listen to or work on, you have a winner in this one.
Every Day I Have the Blues
By B.B. King.
Have you ever felt that you were going through an incredibly hard time? Such is the case with life – sometimes, we go through periods where we endure a lot. This song speaks to this, showcasing the troubles that people may face and how they make them feel. B.B. King further evokes emotions with his incredible yet emotional guitar playing and couples this with his soulful voice. If you’re eager to learn how you can captivate your audience and communicate with them in more ways than one, this would be a great place to start.
Since I Fell For You
By Nina Simone.
This list would be incomplete if we failed to include a song that centers on the one thing that makes the world go round – love. The musician focuses on communicating the joys and pains that come with romantic relationships. With heartfelt lyrics that vividly describe what her audience experiences or wishes to feel someday, Nina draws her listeners in with every word. It helps that this ballad has a catchy yet emotional rhythm that will have you swaying till the very end.
See? It’s all about emotional openness, lyrical quality, excellent improvisation, and rhythmic variation and harmony.