A gem of a jazz classic that captures the arrival of spring, paired with a heartwarming story

In a sentimental moodDuke Ellington & John Coltrane

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane – In a sentimental mood

A beautiful collaboration from 1962 between Duke Ellington, a towering figure in American jazz, and the innovative saxophonist John Coltrane.

With a poetic vision that likens feelings for a loved one to a starry sky, the sublime harmony woven by Ellington’s elegant piano and Coltrane’s gentle saxophone sinks deeply into the heart.

The origin story from 1935 is also fascinating: a melody improvised to ease a quarrel between friends has since become a shining classic in jazz history.

It was memorably used in the 2005 film “Prime,” and it’s a piece you’ll want to listen to quietly in a café on a calm spring afternoon.

It offers a healing moment that warms the soul.

It’s Only a Paper MoonElla Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald – It’s Only a Paper Moon

Set against a fantastical world of paper moons and cardboard seas, this classic song depicts how love makes reality shine brighter, all gently embraced by the warm, tender voice of America’s own Ella Fitzgerald.

Recorded in March 1945 in collaboration with the Delta Rhythm Boys, the piece blends a buoyantly swinging melody with deeply affectionate vocals in perfect harmony.

It’s a gem that captures, with a bright and optimistic tone, how meeting a beloved person can illuminate the ordinary day-to-day.

Featured in many works—including the 1973 film “Paper Moon”—it’s a perfect choice for welcoming a new season and sharing a heartwarming moment with someone special.

Cheek To CheekElla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong – Cheek To Cheek (Official Video)

A masterpiece has been born, woven from elegant melodies and luscious harmonies that evoke the arrival of spring.

The 1956 duet by American jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong superbly captures the joy and exhilaration of love as felt through dance.

Featured on the classic album “Ella and Louis,” this song blends Ella’s smooth, delicate vocals with Louis’s warm, gravelly voice in perfect balance, overflowing with the happiness of two people in love.

Also used in the 2018 film “Green Book,” it’s an ideal companion for a spring afternoon tea with someone special or a leisurely weekend drive.

RainKenny Barron

Rain

Its delicate, story-rich performance is like a gentle spring rain quietly falling.

This gem of a duo by American artists Kenny Barron and Dave Holland weaves an elegant world that seeps into the heart.

Featured on their 2014 album The Art of Conversation, this piece captures the multifaceted character of rain through a resonant dialogue between piano and bass.

The refined melodies and deep, resonant sound tenderly envelop moments of quiet reflection—listening to raindrops by the window or yearning for the arrival of spring.

Perfect for a calm afternoon tea or as a companion to reading on a rainy day, it is sure to create a lovely, soothing interlude.

DesafinadoStan Getz feat. João Gilberto

Stan Getz feat. João Gilberto – Desafinado (Visualizer)

Warm and refined tones, like the sunshine of spring, gently envelop the heart.

The graceful melodies woven by American jazz saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazilian guitarist João Gilberto skillfully express the beauty of dissonance in love.

Born as a rebuttal to criticisms of bossa nova, this piece was included on the 1964 album Getz/Gilberto, captivating listeners with a distinctive sense of weightless drift created by syncopation and complex chord progressions.

Getz’s silky tenor saxophone, Gilberto’s delicate guitar, and the whisper-like vocals blend beautifully in a track that is perfect for a morning walk that heralds a new season or for a calm afternoon tea time.

My Blue HeavenDjango Reinhardt

Django Reinhardt -My Blue Heaven-

Composed by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by George Whiting, this pop standard was released in 1928.

Known in Japanese as “Watashi no Aozora” (“My Blue Heaven”), it is a song themed around the modest happiness of family life.

Afternoon In ParisJohn Lewis

John Lewis – Afternoon in Paris (1949)

A classic piece led by Modern Jazz Quartet’s pianist John Lewis, recorded in 1956 in collaboration with rising Parisian musicians.

It features Barney Wilen on tenor sax, Sacha Distel on guitar, Pierre Michelot on bass, and Connie Kay on drums.

It’s a refreshing number that evokes the unhurried flow of an early afternoon in Paris.