150 Greatest Jazz Songs

Different forms of jazz originated among African American communities in the United States, New Orleans in particular. The varied elements in jazz make the genre one of the most unique sounding musical expressions. The characteristic Jazz sound encompasses elements such as improvisation, blue notes, swing, call and response vocals, and polyrhythms. Although the roots of jazz are rooted in African American traditions and forms of free form expression, musicians from different European cultures too have contributed in making the genre accessible globally. Jazz is hailed as one of ‘America’s original art forms by intellects. Experimentation and improvisation in different jazz

forms make jazz broad-based.

How the Jazz Scene Flourished

New Orleans is considered by many as the birthplace of the jazz scene. To this day New Orleans Jazz is known for its distinctive styles of musical expression. In the early 1910s jazz expression was an amalgamation of musical forms that included beguine, brass-band marches, french quadrilles, blues, ragtime and collective polyphonic improvisation.

With the 1930s emerged the swing band era that showcase dance-oriented rhythms in the realms of jazz. Simultaneously, Gypsy Jazz and Kansas City Jazz, a hard hitting bluesy-swing expression became exceedingly popular. Jazz singers are known for their distinctive vocal delivery. A number of songs in the realms of traditional jazz have become jazz standards, musical compositions that are widely known, recorded, and performed by musicians in Jazz.

Female Musicians and Female Singers in the Early Jazz Movement

A number of female jazz singers have contributed in a big way towards the early jazz movement. Some of the notable early female jazz singers and female jazz musicians that paved the way for modern forms of jazz are mentioned below

Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Abbey Lincoin
Dinah Washington
Lil Hardin Armstrong
Mary Lou Williams
Ethel Waters
Jeanette Kimball
Dorothy Fields
Anita O’Day
Betty Carter
Adelaide Hall
Irene Higginbotham
Lovie Austin
Sweet Emma Barrett
Billie Pierce

The Different Eras in Jazz

The bebop era came into prominence in the 1940s, shifting jazz expressions away from dance forms and leaning towards a distinctively challenging ‘musician’s music’ format. Bebop had lightning fast tempos with incredible chord-based improvisation. Cool jazz formats started emerging in the late 40s bringing a in calm smooth sounds and melodic lines.

With the 50s came the spirited free jazz structure that went onto become an integral part in jazz performances. The mid 50s witnessed a plethora of hard bob and modal jazz artists emerge. Over the years a number of jazz styles have emerged and evolved bringing new improvisational styles and elements in jazz structure.

Jazz songs may not have mainstream appeal, however, a number of jazz songs and jazz standards have been performed by musicians and singers from different genres. The free-form improvisation format in jazz has become exceedingly popular in rock genres, especially with rock bands or artists during live performances.

Popularity of Scat Singing in Jazz

Scat singing has become popular with many singers in traditional jazz and non traditional jazz forms. The instrumental approach to voice where singers blend scat lines with musical instruments is an improvisational element that makes jazz vocals versatile. While performing jazz songs live, vocalists and musicians enthrall audiences with their wide repertoire of improvisational skills.

The lines below showcase a diverse list of jazz songs

150 Greatest Jazz Songs