Take Five - Dave Brubeck This was a defining song, it was the first time a white person had created a successful jazz song.It issued the style of modern Jazz, Paul Desmond's solo is a catchy but skilful masterpiece in a 5/4 format and not to mention the cheekiness of Dave out weighs everything. The most important jazz composition of all time; technically and for content. A blessing. All has been said, but personally I just get lost in the solo wishing it would never end. One of my favorite songs to sing! Al Jarreau's 8+ minute version of it is the Art of Improvisation at its finest!

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong This is a beautiful, really really beautiful song. Just listening to it makes me so happy and if you search the video on YouTube Louis Armstrong also sings it so beautifully, smiling the whole time. Beautiful Lyrics, great, soulful singer. This is just great, with an amazing message "They're really saying/I love you" "What a wonderful World." And Armstrong is a wonderful singer/musician. My grandfather saw him perform this live. Though for the beginning of my life I was sure he was the space guy... It is really a nice song, I have just begun to listen to jazz and came across this, it is soothing to ears, and sounds like a vintage classic. I love this song it is Wonderful It needs to be in first but 2nd is fine with me

Acknowledgment - John Coltrane Quartet This has got to be one of the best songs ever recorded. It's just do beautiful and expressive. Trane was so beautiful. Just the best one. What a wonderful world is beautiful, but is not jazz, is pop. Came to see this one in the top 3. I was not disappointed. Masterpiece

Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman and His Orchestra It is impossible to hear this song without wanting to get up and dance. The thump of the drums, the edge of the brass, and the melodic sound of the saxophones come together beautifully in this instantly recognizable piece. We should have credit for Louis Prima who wrote and preformed it in 1933 It's just impossible not to dance to this piece of art Name one bad thing about this piece.



Got nothing?



Well, get up and dance, darnit.

My Favorite Things - Dave Brubeck

Caravan - Whiplash

All Blues - Kenny Burrell

Lazy Sunday - Duncan Lamont

Birdland - Maynard Ferguson Such a good song! I wish I could play it. (I don’t have the chart) It starts with a sick hook and it makes you stop switching through your music to listen to it. Plus it’s played by one of the hottest trumpets ever, as well as the original screem trumpet. Yes there came after him the legend that is Arturo Sandoval, but even then Maynard was a beast and this song is one if not his best song ever. It has such a good melody over a great chord progression. Again I wish I could play it it’s so good. This song has a great bass riff, excellent solos on multiple instruments and a very memorable 'chorus.' It's an enjoyable listen and Ferguson's outstanding trumpet playing makes it all the more so. I've played this piece many times before and the trumpet solo is utter genius. Though it might not sound that way when I play it. I'll try not to ruin it This song makes my chops hurt just by listening to it! Maynard Ferguson is one of the best trumpet players!

Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis 10

The Contenders

Strange Fruit - Nina Simone 11 One of the best voices forgotten today. Real diva of blues/jazz when the word "Diva" meant something

So What - Miles Davis 12 A classic from a classic album. This song is new every time I listen to it. It is not the only song from 'Kind of Blue' that should be on the list but it is my favorite. This song, and the album it is on, influenced multiple jazz, pop, and rock musicians. After you listen to this song you can't help but be more knowledgeable about music. As a trumpeter, there's no argument here. It's Miles. This song makes sence. Or what I mean is that it's good.

Bags' Groove - Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson & Ray Brown 13

Song for My Father - Hermao Feriera 14 This song is very rhythmic also has a great melody. Gets my vote Great piece, but Horace Silver wrote it My favorite piece. That's it.

The Apartment - Duncan Lamont 15

You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse 16 Died too young with such talent and great voice. Love it when they redo oldies Dead but not forgotton RIP amy she was too young to die a Masterpiece from Winehouse! Missed her so much :(

Feeling Good - Nina Simone 17 Very smooth; very sexy; very soulful and VERY Nina Simone. Real powerful voice love the lyrics The only jazz song I know of One of the best Songs ever

Cascades - Oliver Nelson 18

My Funny Valentine - Marian McPartland 19

O Pato - Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd; 20

Let the Good Times Roll - Louis Jordan 21

The National Anthem - Radiohead 22 Bass rock, psychedelic and jazz if you ask me. Yes, not jazz only but as a whole builds up with jazz music and a jazzy feel. Both the calm kind to the more stressful kind. Another jazz tune by them is Life In A Glass House and Pyramid Song (Egyptian Song) is inspired by the works of none other than Charles Mingus and his song Freedom. What this is jazz? I came here because I've been wanting to get more into jazz. Great song, but I feel like while it's jazzy at parts, its overall genre would be more akin to experimental rock. Starts slow, then upbeat and then irritating. A mix of drums, electric guitar and a trumpet later on. A more calmer one is Life In A Glass House What can I say about the most innovative and creative songwriter thom yorke, a genius and this tune proves it.

I Know What You're Putting Down - Louis Jordan 23

Minnie the Moocher - Cab Calloway 24