Tunes from the Team: Jazz

This week we’re celebrating the original bad boys of the music world, just in time for national jazz day on April 30.

Standard Daniel here, and there is something about either Standard Beagle or development in general that attracts musicians; two of the three developers here (that’s a whopping 66%!) have music degrees. And it is from this place of authority that I make the following statement; Jazz is cool. Jazz makes you type your toes or snap your fingers on the 2 and 4 in time with the drummer’s hi-hat, it’s swinging, it’s moving, it has direction, it’s a force. It picks you up and takes you somewhere, but it’s also not in a hurry. We’re going someone, but we’re not in a rush, and if we’re being honest, we’re not even sure where we are going. You may have been there before, but we’re taking a different route tonight, and it’ll be different again tomorrow night. Each night, these tunes are shifting and growing; each night is unique, one of one. And no other genre can give you that. It’s one of America’s greatest gifts to the world.

This playlist has the giants of the genre, the kings and queens, the dukes and princes; jazz royalty. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Cannonball Adderley, Wes Montgomery, Bill Evans, Art Blakey, Vince Guaraldi, Sonny Rollins, and on and on. These artists wore clean suits, and were dangerous. Some of them had hard edges on and off the stage, and will never be forgotten. Put this list on, make yourself a cocktail (if you’re into that sort of thing), sit down in a comfy chair, and sink into the notes.

For more information on what I find to be so cool about jazz, you need to know more; it’s not just what you hear, but also what you see. The images and record covers are sometimes as loud and important as the players. Here’s a video discussing the art work from one of the best labels, Blue Note Records.

One more video to help any non jazz fans convert.

 

I hope you enjoy these songs, and maybe learned something new. I’ll talk with you guys next week!