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.

Playlist

Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Moanin’Art Blakey		The jazz classic “Moanin’” is a masterpiece.
2	So WhatMiles Davis		The innovative jazz classic “So What”
3	Take FiveDave Brubeck, Paul Desmond		The untold story behind the birth of the 5/4 time signature classic “Take Five”
4	Blue TrainJohn Coltrane		The appeal of the jazz masterpiece “Blue Train”
5	Autumn LeavesCannonball Adderley		Jazz standard song 'Autumn Leaves'
6	Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones		Nora Jones's classic song 'Don’t Know Why'
7	Waltz For DebbyBill Evans		Bill Evans, the poet of jazz piano
8	ConfirmationCharlie Parker		Charlie Parker's bebop masterpiece
9	Take The A TrainDuke Ellington		Duke Ellington’s classic ‘Take the “A” Train’
10	Sing Sing SingBenny Goodman		Iconic masterpieces of swing music
11	I Love You For Sentimental ReasonsNat King Cole		Love songs recorded by Nat King Cole
12	Nostalgia (The Day I Knew)Samara Joy		Samara Joy’s classic, basking in memories
13	When You Wish upon a StarKeith Jarrett		The famous song from Pinocchio that puts wishes upon a star
14	What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong		Louis Armstrong's masterpiece
15	Watermelon ManHerbie Hancock		Hancock’s early works that revolutionized jazz and were highly influential
16	UnforgettableNatalie Cole		Nat King Cole's classic ballad
17	Street Fighter MasKamasi Washington		Kamal Washington’s musical style
18	Days Of Wine & RosesOscar Peterson Trio		Oscar Peterson’s masterpiece performances and classic tunes
19	Take TenPaul Desmond		Paul Desmond’s unconventional 5/4-time piece
20	Feel Like Making LoveMarlena Shaw		An adult number, a classic by Marlena Shaw.
21	Maiden VoyageRobert Glasper		Jazz is a form of music that continues to evolve even today.
22	A Love Supreme, Pt. I – AcknowledgementJohn Coltrane		The innovative genius of the jazz giant, Coltrane
23	In The MoodGlenn Miller		Glenn Miller’s signature songs and beloved classics
24	My Back PagesKeith Jarrett		Performance of Keith Jarrett’s famous piece
25	St.ThomasSonny Rollins		A jazz standard by Sonny Rollins
26	Someday My Prince Will ComeDave Brubeck		Snow White’s song becomes a jazz classic
27	Duet Solo DancersCharles Mingus		Mingus’s large-scale jazz suite, a grand musical world
28	MistyErroll Garner		Erroll Garner’s classic melody in the mist
29	I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I’m Loving You)Benny Goodman		The charm of swing jazz, a fun music
30	Lonely WomanOrnette Coleman		A famous song distinguished by Coleman’s dissonance
31	Lullaby Of BirdlandCharlie Parker		Searing’s famous piece inspired by a jazz club
32	Someday My Prince Will ComeMiles Davis		Miles Davis's romantic performance
33	L-O-V-ENat King Cole		A lighthearted love song, 'L-O-V-E'
34	RivedertiMario Biondi		A soul singer from Italy, known for their captivating low voice.
35	SpainChick Corea		Chick Corea’s jazz classic, Aranjuez
36	Fly Me to the MoonDiana Krall		Diana Krall’s mature singing voice
37	My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane		Covers of classic jazz songs influenced by Miles
38	Moonlight SerenadeGLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA		The representative swing music piece “In the Mood.”
39	Infant EyesWayne Shorter		Wayne, the saxophonist’s classic ballad
40	On the Sunny Side of the StreetThe Manhattan Transfer		A jazz standard, also used in commercials
41	I’m In The Mood For LoveJames Moody		A jazz classic with captivating improvisation
42	Central Park WestJohn Coltrane		Coltrane’s spring masterpiece, a serene allure
43	Night in TunisiaArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers		A jazz classic that portrays the night of Tunisia
44	In a sentimental moodDuke Ellington & John Coltrane		Ellington and Coltrane’s beautiful jazz
45	Bésame MuchoArt Pepper		A masterpiece composed by 16-year-old Consuelo
46	Stolen MomentsOliver Nelson		Saxophonist, composer, and musician with ties to Japan
47	It’s Only a Paper MoonElla Fitzgerald		A classic that brings sparkle to everyday life through the power of love
48	Cleopatra’s DreamBud Powell		Popular Bud Powell tunes in Japan
49	SpiritsAlbert Ayler		The passion of free jazz pioneer Albert Ayler
50	Left AloneEric Dolphy		Dolphy is a fusion of avant-garde and hard bop.
51	All of MeBillie Holiday		Be captivated by the deep singing voice of Billie Holiday.
52	Blue MoonMel Tormé		The famous song that became well-known from the movie “Babe.”
53	Dancing In Your HeadOrnette Coleman		The evolution of Coleman’s musical style
54	GhostsAlbert Ayler		The individuality of Ayler, a standard-bearer of avant-garde jazz
55	My Funny VaentineChet Baker		The Birth of the Classic Song “What Love Is”
56	A Sunday Kind Of LoveEtta James		Etta James’s classic, A Sunday Kind of Love
57	Little Brown JogGLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA		The origin of the jazz piece “Little Brown Jug”
58	Begin The BeguineMichael Bublé		Michael Bublé's jazz classics
59	SomosBuika		Outstanding vocal performance in jazz fused with flamenco
60	Goodbye Pork Pie HatCharles Mingus		Mingus’s jazz piece, a memorial ballad for Young
61	Georgia On My MindRay Charles		A classic song sung by Ray Charles
62	Stars Fell on AlabamaCannonball Adderley		The saxophonist Adderley’s masterful performance
63	C Jam BluesCharles Mingus		Ellington-composed songs popular among jazz beginners
64	Moonlight in VermontZoot Sims		A masterful performance by saxophonist Zoot Sims
65	Sakura StampSaori Yano		The Charm of Spring: Saori Yano’s Jazz Album
66	AntiguaElvin Jones		Elvin Jones’s performances in Japan
67	Give Me the NightGeorge Benson		The famous piece by jazz guitarist Benson
68	I Got RhythmHampton Hawes		Hampton Hawes is a captivating master of cool jazz piano.
69	CameleonHerbie Hancock		Hancock, a pioneer of electric jazz
70	Softly, as in a Morning SunriseSonny Clark		Enchanted by the heart-stealing classic by Sonny Clark
71	Satin DollOscar Peterson		A masterful performance by the pianist Oscar Peterson
72	Golden EarringsRay Bryant		Moved by Ray Bryant’s masterpiece
73	Social CallSamara Joy		A captivating visit song with a jazz tune
74	Now’s the TimeCharlie Parker		Charlie Parker's masterpieces and achievements
75	Hat And BeardEric Dolphy		Explanation of Eric Dolphy's classic jazz albums
76	Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock		Herbie Hancock's Innovative Jazz
77	Giant StepsJohn Coltrane		John Coltrane’s jazz album
78	Circles On BlackJosh Lawrence		An ambitious work that expresses the innovativeness of jazz through color
79	CountryKeith Jarrett		A signature piece by Keith Jarrett
80	West End BluesLouis Armstrong		Louis Armstrong’s masterful performance “West End Blues”
81	Memories Of YouLouis Armstrong		The classic performed by Rui and Benny
82	BoplicityMiles Davis		Miles Davis, the innovator of modern jazz
83	All of YouMiles Davis		Miles Davis's famous masterpiece
84	It’s Only A Paper MoonNat King Cole		Nat King Cole’s hit song “When You Wish Upon a Star”
85	SummertimeNina Simone		Gershwin’s masterpieces are beloved across multiple genres.
86	Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark		The famous track from the jazz masterpiece “Cool Struttin’.”
87	OleoSonny Rollins		A rhythm changes tune by the saxophonist Rollins
88	The Girl From IpanemaStan Getz		The samba song 'The Girl from Ipanema' became a worldwide hit.
89	Round MidnightThelonious Monk		Adult jazz classic 'Round Midnight'
90	Kurdish DanceYosuke Yamashita		Yosuke Yamashita, an energetic jazz pianist
91	Work SongCannonball Adderley Quintet		Jazz standard, a masterful performance by Cannonball Adderley
92	Night And DayFrank Sinatra		A passionate classic from a tap dance film
93	Red TopErroll Garner		Jazz pianist, unique groove and free-form playing
94	Black GoldEsperanza Spalding		Esperanza, a multi-talented female jazz bassist
95	Over the RainbowJudy Garland		Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the famous song from The Wizard of Oz
96	You And The Night And The MusicMal Waldon trio		A classic that exudes the atmosphere of a jazz club
97	Spanish KeyMiles Davis Sextet		Miles Davis's groundbreaking masterpiece
98	A Lover’s ConcertoSarah Vaughan		Sarah Vaughan's 'A Lover's Concerto'
99	Blue MonkThelonious Monk		Thelonious Monk’s original blues piece
100	Autumn In New YorkBillie Holiday		The autumn classic “Autumn Leaves” is music that resonates with the heart.
101	TenderlySara Vaughan		A jazz classic, made a hit by Sarah Vaughan
102	AlfieSonny Rollins		Jazz master Rollins and the classic song 'Alfie'