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The Royal Road of Jazz: Classic modern jazz masterpieces. Popular tracks you should listen to at least once.

Have you ever wondered what exactly people mean by “modern jazz,” a term you often hear within jazz? If you’re new to jazz and have that question, you’re not alone.

Modern jazz generally refers to the period spanning from “bebop,” which emerged in the mid-to-late 1940s, to modal jazz, which appeared in the late 1950s.

You could even call modern jazz the classic, mainstream form of jazz, and many of the genre’s most iconic albums and songs were created during the modern jazz era.

In this article, we’ve put together a selection of great modern jazz tunes.

If you’re thinking of giving jazz a listen, this is the perfect chance to check them out!

Playlist

The Royal Road of Jazz: Classic modern jazz masterpieces. Popular tracks you should listen to at least once.
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastWaltz For DebbyBill EvansEven people who don’t usually listen to jazz, Bill Eva...
2eastTake FiveDave BrubeckThere are many great masterpieces in the world of jazz, aren’t there…
3eastSo WhatMiles DavisA figure indispensable when talking about modern jazz is...
4eastGiant StepsJohn ColtraneThis piece, known as a monumental milestone of modern jazz…
5eastMy Funny ValentineChet BakerEven in the world of modern jazz, with a sweet look, fa…
6eastDays of Wine and RosesOscar PetersonOscar Peterson was an international jazz…
7eastCool Struttin’Sonny ClarkAmong jazz albums, it’s one of the most lavish maste…
8eastMoanin’Art BlakeyWhen asked who the greatest jazz drummer is...
9eastSt. ThomasSonny RollinsLight enough to make you want to break into dance without thinking…
10eastYou’d Be So Nice to Come Home ToArt PepperAlso known for Helen Merrill's singing...
11eastFull HouseWes MontgomeryThis piece was composed by Wes Montgomery...
12eastAutumn LeavesCannonball AdderleySomething everyone has heard at least once, even if they’re not a jazz fan…
13eastLeft AloneMal WaldronSo-called hard bop and soul jazz and the like...
14eastMy Favorite ThingsJohn ColtraneSax… who made a significant contribution to the development of modern jazz
15eastJoy SpringClifford Brown & Max RoachHe was caught up in a car accident and, at the young age of 25, tragically...
16eastCleopatra’s DreamBud PowellA music fan who likes fast-tempo piano pieces...
17eastA Night In TunisiaDizzy GillespieAmong jazz tunes, there are some that many performers have covered…
18eastConfirmationCharlie ParkerA founder of modern jazz and jazz...
19eastRound MidnightThelonious MonkAs a distinctive pianist and composer, Modanji...
20eastSpring Is HereBill EvansAs if weaving a pale light, the American pia—
21eastMaiden VoyageHerbie HancockSpeaking of Herbie Hancock, the existing...
22eastDesafinadoStan Getz feat. João GilbertoA warm, refined tone like spring sunlight...
23eastUn Poco LocoBud PowellKnown as a masterpiece that has gone down in the history of modern jazz...
24eastRound About MidnightMiles DavisThey say modern jazz began with him and ended with him…
25eastMy Foolish HeartBill EvansJapanese title: Foolish Is My Heart — I really want to rest my weary heart...
26eastOrnithologyCharlie ParkerCharlie Parker's nickname "...
27eastConcordeModern Jazz QuartetAs you can tell from the song’s jacket, it’s France, and…
28eastI Remember CliffordLee Morgan"The other genius" passed away before us...
29eastRoad SongWes MontgomeryThe we—famous as a jazz musician who can't read sheet music...
30eastSwingin’Clifford Brown“Genius hard-bopper” Clifford Brown…
31eastGoodbye Pork Pie HatCharles MingusThe jazz masterpiece 'Mingus Ah Um'...
32eastBody and SoulColeman HawkinsKnown as one of the greatest performances in jazz history…
33eastSalt PeanutsDizzy GillespieThis piece, known as a classic of bebop, ...
34eastMantecaDizzy GillespieIt’s a piece that became a cornerstone of Afro-Cuban jazz, and…
35eastThe Shadow of Your SmileJoe Pass“A world with only guitars”—a work that, oddly enough, takes on a solemn tone…
36eastIt Never Entered My MindStan GetzStan Getz, the princely figure of the jazz world. This work...
37eastFive Spot After DarkCurtis FullerHarmony of trombone and tenor saxophone...
38eastBlue in GreenMiles DavisA classic album known as a masterpiece of modal jazz...
39eastDjangoModern Jazz QuartetThis piece, known as a classic that will go down in the history of jazz…
40eastA Night In TunisiaCharlie ParkerThe so-called father of the “bebop technique,” known as Bard (ch…
41eastAutumn LeavesMiles Davis QuintetWhen you think of jazz, you think of Autumn Leaves—right. This recording...
42eastInfant EyesWayne ShorterWayne Shorter attempted to take his own daughter's lif—
43eastLament For A Fallen Matadorjim hallThe original piece is by Albinoni, a Baroque composer, and the a…
44eastBlues For MilesFreddie HubbardIt's a fairly recent piece. Strictly speaking, it's modern jazz...
45eastOrgan Grinder SwingJimmy SmithThe jazz organ innovator, Mr. Jimmy Smith…
46eastDesmond BluePaul DesmondMy, my… it seems you’ve wandered in from somewhere…
47eastMox NixArt Farmer“I’m not scary, you know.” An artwork with that kind of expression...
48eastLotus BlossomKenny DorhamRead the room, create the mood. That’s right, Kenny…
49eastBlue ‘N’ BoogieDizzy GillespieKnown as a masterpiece that fuses bebop and blues…
50eastMemoryToshiko AkiyoshiWhen it comes to modern jazz, only Americans can really...
51eastA Love SupremeJohn Coltrane QuartetThe “philosopher who plays,” John Coltrane’s…
52eastBebopDizzy GillespieThe other father of the “bebop style,” “The Frog…
53eastMistyErroll GarnerAs a modern jazz classic, it has been loved across generations...
54eastThe CatJimmy SmithTiptoeing, sneaking, and stealthy steps—delightful cats...
55eastWork SongNat AdderleyDo you know the instrument called the cornet? I—
56eastSong for My FatherHorace SilverA moving love letter dedicated to the father of jazz. “Swoon...”
57eastLullaby of BirdlandGeorge ShearingThis piece, known as a classic that will go down in the history of jazz…