15 Jazz Albums to Play on Repeat
I grew up listening to jazz. My family would play Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Harry Connick Jr. for every holiday dinner, and my dad was a big fan of the smooth jazz radio station whenever we had long car rides. I officially fell in love with Big Band music during my few years taking cotillion dance classes, and over again when The Notebook movie came out and I played the soundtrack multiple times a day to re-live the film.
Christmas music has always been something I look forward to starting up every year because every song is full of memories, and it gives me that feeling of comfort and familiarity. A few Christmases ago, I was so gutted that the time had come to put away the Christmas music until next year. And then this idea struck me; what I love about most crooner Christmas music is the cozy jazz behind the lyrics. Jazz warms up a home, sets guests at ease, and truly makes the meal and conversation even better. With candlelight, you really can’t go wrong!
I wanted to share with you a few jazz albums that really set the mood, provide a cozy ambience in the home, and please all ears from kids to adults. You can cook, read, and create with these incredible musicians playing without getting too stuck in lyrics, which is great if you’re like me and need music to focus (but not pop anthems). We play a few of these albums on a daily basis, all from the Amazon Music service which is free for Prime members (affiliate link to try Amazon Prime!). My dream is to one day own these on vinyl!
1. Sidney Bechet au Café de la Paix
2. Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book
3. Bill Evans Trio Portrait in Jazz [Keepnews Collection]
4. Thelonious Monk Monk’s Dream
5. Chet Baker Chet [Keepnews Collection] or Chet Baker Sings
7. Count Basie Count Basie at Newport [Live]
8. Frank Sinatra Sinatra at the Sands
9. Sarah Vaughn
10. Miles Davis Round About Midnight
11. Charlie Parker With Strings: Complete Master Takes
13. Henry Mancini Orchestra Breakfast at Tiffany’s Soundtrack
14. Duke Ellington and John Coltrane
15. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis