Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.
Jazz has a longer history than rock or pop and encompasses many subgenres, so it’s no surprise that many people feel it’s a bit intimidating to get into.
Some may have a mental block because of the image they have of jazz, but in fact, there are countless famous jazz tunes you’ve probably heard somewhere—whether as timeless standards loved across generations, or as songs used in commercials and film scores.
In this article, we’ve gathered recommended classics and popular tracks that even jazz beginners can enjoy.
Focusing on vintage jazz numbers while mixing in standout tracks from contemporary jazz artists who’ve been attracting attention in recent years, we present a richly varied selection.
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Classic Western jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks (31–40)
Fly Me to the MoonDiana Krall
A cover by Diana Krall, a female jazz singer active in the 21st century.
Her rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” is performed with an arrangement close to Frank Sinatra’s version, and her handsome voice suits it perfectly.
Let yourself be intoxicated by her vocals, scented with a mature allure!
My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane
A song featured in the musical film The Sound of Music that is also famous as a jazz standard.
Among the many covers by various musicians, the most widely recognized is John Coltrane’s version.
You can sense the process by which Coltrane transformed the style he learned from Miles Davis into a new world.
His choice to perform it on soprano saxophone was quite unusual for the time.
Moonlight SerenadeGLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
Composed in 1939 by trombonist Glenn Miller, this piece is well known as his band’s theme song.
It’s also popular in Japan and has been used in many commercials.
There are lyrics as well, and it is often performed in a sung version.
Infant EyesWayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter, a saxophonist who represents the jazz world, left behind numerous masterpieces and is a musician with many Grammy Awards to his name.
This ballad is included on his 1966 album Speak No Evil.
Beyond the beauty of the melody, it’s a track that showcases his freely dynamic playing, shifting effortlessly between restraint and intensity.
On the Sunny Side of the StreetThe Manhattan Transfer
It was used as a commercial song for Nestlé’s “Home Café Series” and Asahi Beer’s “Clear Asahi,” among others.
The song was released in 1930 for a Broadway musical, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Jimmy McHugh.
Later, it was performed by a stellar lineup of jazz musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, and Count Basie, and became a jazz standard.
Classic jazz songs in Western music. Recommended popular tracks (41–50)
I’m In The Mood For LoveJames Moody
It’s the theme song from the 1935 musical film “Every Night at Eight,” with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Jimmy McHugh.
James Moody was a saxophonist and a giant of jazz.
His performance of this tune became famous, and it also drew attention when Eddie Jefferson put lyrics to Moody’s improvised phrases.
Central Park WestJohn Coltrane
A gem of a ballad that gracefully captures the gentle mood of spring.
Inspired by the streets of New York, John Coltrane created a serene masterpiece that was included on the 1964 album “Coltrane’s Sound,” and it continues to shine as a monument of modern jazz.
Its elegant world, woven from complex harmonic progressions and a melodious soprano saxophone, achieves a superb balance between urban sophistication and the breath of nature.
McCoy Tyner’s delicate piano touch is equally striking, with a fresh sensibility that evokes the coming of spring at every turn.
It’s a perfect track for a blissful moment—relaxing in a sunlit living room with a favorite book in hand.