Earlier this week we celebrated Kingsday in The Netherlands. This is since Queen Beatrix passed on the crown to her son Willem Alexander 10 years ago. Before we celebrated Queensday on Beatrix’ birthday which is today, April 30th.
One of the local traditions on that day in the area where I grew up is that there was an annual Jazzfest on April 30th. Not music that I listen to often, but occasionally it can be nice.
Maybe Queensday seemed an odd day for such a Jazzfest or maybe I never had a thought about it. But today I found out that April 30th is International Jazz day. International Jazz Day has become a platform for promoting jazz as a tool for promoting social change, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding between people of different backgrounds and nationalities. It is a great opportunity for people to come together and appreciate the artistry, history, and cultural significance of this unique and timeless music genre.
As mentioned before, not a genre I listen to a lot and I don’t know many about. So to compile today’s I got a little help from ChatGPT.
1. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
This is one of the most famous jazz albums of all time, and for good reason. It features some of the best musicians of the time, including John Coltrane and Bill Evans. This is the only album on this list I have actually listened to before. Cool stuff.
2. Dave Brubeck Quartet – Time Out
This album features the hit single “Take Five,” which is still one of the most recognizable jazz tunes today. A friend of mine played Take File on holiday 10 years ago. It’s getting on occasional play every now and then.
3. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
This album is considered a masterpiece and showcases Coltrane’s signature style.
4. Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um
This album is a classic example of hard bop and features some of Mingus’s most famous compositions.
5. Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come
This album is known for its innovative use of free jazz, and its influence can still be heard in contemporary jazz today.
6. John Coltrane – Giant Steps
This album features some of Coltrane’s most complex and challenging compositions, and is considered a landmark in jazz history.
7. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Ella and Louis
This album showcases the incredible vocal talents of Fitzgerald and Armstrong and is a must-listen for any jazz fan. Even with a Top10 of jazz songs I can make an Orb connection since The Orb did a remix of Wonderful World.
8. Charles Mingus – The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
This album is considered one of Mingus’s greatest works and features his signature blend of jazz, classical, and folk music.
9. Herbie Hancock – Head Hunters
This album helped define the sound of jazz-fusion in the 1970s and features Hancock’s hit single “Chameleon.”
10. John Coltrane – Blue Train
This album features some of Coltrane’s most famous compositions and is considered one of the best examples of hard bop.