Discussion Forums - Jazz
Topic: Midnight Jazz
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What would be a good example of midnight jazz? The author Kim Harrison mentions it in her bio and some of her characters listen to it, too. This is not my genre, but I would be interested in listening to it if I knew what was good. Last Edited on: 8/28/06 4:15 PM ET - Total times edited: 1 |
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| Something quiet and peaceful. Thelonious Monk wrote a wonderful jazz tune "Round Midnight", so any CD with that song would be a candidate. Try Miles Davis's "Round about Midnight". | ||
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On my list: Various Artists :: The History of Jazz [Prism] Lee Ritenour :: Wes Bound David Sanborn :: Closer
Last Edited on: 11/25/08 10:11 PM ET - Total times edited: 1 |
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Verve (one of the big jazz labels) has a great series of samplers titled "Jazz 'Round Midnight". Many unfortunately are out of print, but most of those can be picked up at Amazon for less than five dollars. The series focuses on ballads, i.e. stuff on the slower and mellower side (though this is relative, and slow doesn't mean soporific). Some collect performances by a single artist, others focus on a particular instrument (piano, saxophone, trumpet) or style (blues, big band, bossa nova). They all have nearly an hour of music, & most of them are worth getting just for simple enjoyment, or as a starting-point to explore more music by a particular artist (both instrumentalists and singers are featured) or a musical style. |
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One of the first albums that come to mind, and which has a similar "late-night" ambience that I think is the reason a lot of people who don't usually listen to jazz really appreciate Miles's Kind of Blue, is this: http://www.swapacd.com/cd/album/139800-idle+moments Grant Green's Idle Moments. It's an absolute classic. On the title piece, it's languid and easy without being "lite." The members of the group play like they're walking on eggshells, bringing a quiet intensity to the group sound and their solos. A lot of stuff on the ECM label is perfect for deep night listening. I don't think the label has a single "sound" the way some say, but it's good for about 3 am when I want something spare and moody rather than loud and swinging. A few others that come to mind: Mysterious Traveler by Weather Report Undercurrent by Bill Evans and Jim Hall |
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You cannot label jazz. If you are awake at midnight, spin your radio dial. You will hit some jazz and blues station. Do this for several nights. You will hear enough to break your bubble. There are some streets you cannot name. They will not always take you to the same place. Stan Getz is not a mistake. Dive from the high board. |
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I would recommend Dexter Gordon's Ballads--always a great sound! |
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