What is a ballad? What are the best jazz ballads?

Nowadays, people seem to use the term ‘ballad’ to refer to a slow, maybe sentimental, and romantic, song with beautiful lyrics. But did you know, technically, that’s not what a ballad is?

A ballad is a poem or song that narrates a story in short stanzas, usually set to music. Ballads were originally written to accompany dances, amd their name was derived from the Scottish word ‘ballares’ meaning “to dance.” Traditionally, dancers sang the alternating refrains of the song in time with the dance. 

Usually, ballads consist of 13 lines with an ABABBCBC rhyming form, but there’s also many variations on that pattern. Only in the later 19th century did the term begin to be used to describe a slower form a popular love song. 

So, now that you know what a ballad is, let’s look at some of the best ballads of all time! 

Billy Strayhorn – Lush Life

This 1933 ballad tells the story of a person who used to frequent the best places in town and relax on the “axis of the wheel of life,” that is, until he fell deeply in love and, later, became heartbroken. Now, the narrator is reflecting on that failed romance and the wearisome nightlife he used to indulge in. “Only last year everything seemed so sure,” Strayhorn sings. “Now life is awful again.”

A fun fact about this ballad is that Strayhorn was only a teenager when he began composing this classic! Talk about young talent! 

Elsie Carlisle – Body and Soul

Written in 1930 for the British actress and singer Gertrude Lawrence, who performed it first in London, this standard has become the most recorded ballad in jazz history, with over 2,200 existing versions! 

With its poignant and relatable lyrics about a person who wants to make sure she won’t be devastated after opening her heart to a new lover, it’s no wonder that this ballad became so remarkably popular. The narrator wonders if she will “stand alone at the shore.” She’s got to know—“oh, body and soul”—that her new beloved has no doubt “inside and out.”

John Coltrane – Naima

Inspired by his wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs, Coltrane composed this ballad in 1959, which has since become a jazz standard. “Queen of the ages,” Coltrane sings. “She transcends history’s pages.” 

The story of true love, and the utter awe that comes with it, never does seem to get old, does it? We always seem to find new ways to express our emotions to the ones we love, especially in the form of musical ballads.  

Always On My Mind – Janis Siegel & John Di Martino 

Recorded by everyone from Elvis to Loretta Lynn, and, of course, Willie Nelson, this iconic song, first released in 1972, tells the story of a remorseful narrator who is looking back and wishing that she would’ve told her beloved just how much she cared. In this new 2021 version, the classic is reimagined as a jazz ballad, which serves to highlight the bittersweet theme of regret. 

If you’re looking for more ballads, and modern jazz renditions of country favorites, check out our album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, which is available in our store and on all major music platforms today! 

This post was written by Blog Editor, Jacqueline Knirnschild.

Love Songs to Bring Back the Honeymoon Phase this Valentine’s Day

Let’s face it, even the best relationships can become a bit stale over the years. Instead of chitchatting and cuddling before bed, your partner or spouse might just roll over and start snoring. Maybe you no longer surprise each other with flowers and gifts. Or maybe, you find yourself bickering over the little things, like dishes and laundry. No matter what your issue may be, it doesn’t mean that you don’t love each other anymore. It just means that you’re out of the honeymoon phase and might need some heartfelt intention to bring back the passion, butterflies, and excitement.

And since music is our game at Night Is Alive, we decided that this Valentine’s Day, we would pair four love songs with four pieces of relationship advice that’ll be sure to reinvigorate your long-term relationship. After all, nothing says passion like jazz!

  1. Practice Gratitude – How Sweet It Is To Be In Love by Johnny Hartman

Amid the craziness of daily life—errands, groceries, coordinating schedules—it’s easy to take your sweetheart for granted. It’s easy to forget about all the amazing things your partner does for you, and forget, like Johnny Hartman croons, just how sweet it is to be in love

If you have a journaling practice, add a daily dose of gratitude focused entirely on your partner. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, elevate the positives. Writing affirmations, like, I’m grateful that he cooked dinner tonight, will remind you of all the sweet things your partner does that go unnoticed. 

  1. Compliment Each Other – The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra

Nothing boosts you up like a compliment from a stranger on the subway, and the same goes for your partner. Those so-called sweet nothings do matter, so take a little time out of your day to remind your loved one how beautiful, smart, or handsome he or she is. And on Valentine’s Day, be sure to pile on the flattery, like Sinatra in his 1964 hit. You’re lovely, with your smile so warm and your cheeks so soft… 

  1. Get Intimate – Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) by Louis Armstrong

As the cleverly-written lyrics point out—birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it—intimacy is a clear route to deepening the love, passion, and connection in your relationship. Uncork a nice bottle of wine, turn on this song and giggle at the innuendos with your lover, then let the sparks fly …

  1. Reminisce – First Time I Saw Your Face by the WJ3 All Stars 

Valentine’s Day is a great time to reminisce on when you met your sweetheart. Whether it was love at first sight or a game of hard-to-get, your story is sure to bring smiles and laughs! Like the WJ3 All Stars convey so beautifully in this song, the first time you saw your lover’s face was an unforgettable moment, so be sure to cherish it.   

If you’re looking for more romantic songs, or for a gift for your Valentine, check out WJ3 All-Stars’s album Lovers & Love Songs. It’s available in our store and on all major music platforms today. And, for a limited time only, the album is available on vinyl! Included in the vinyl package is a bonus signed CD.

This post was written by Blog Editor, Jacqueline Knirnschild.

5 Jazz Vinyl Albums that You Need on Your Shelf!

Who would’ve thought that vinyl would make such a comeback in the new millennium? Invented in the 1940s, vinyl records are flat discs inscribed with spiral groves that represent the audio waveforms of the original track. As enthusiasts like to point out, vinyl is the purest version of a recording you can get. 

Maybe you know someone who rushed to buy the new vinyl records of Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and Frank Ocean. This is all fine and dandy, but, in our opinion, if you truly want the bona fide, old-fashioned experience of sitting down and enjoying a vinyl, you might want to listen to some music with a bit more history to it … like jazz! 

We hand-selected five of the best jazz vinyl albums that you need on your shelf today! 

Billie Holiday – Lady in Satin

In our chaotic modern world, we’re accustomed to plugging in our earbuds while we go to the gym or turning on the radio while we run errands. Seldom do we intentionally take time out of our day to sit down and listen to music on a record player. 

Well, with its incredible intensity of emotion, Billie Holiday’s 1958 album is absolutely one that you’re going to want to sit down for. As you probably already know, Holiday battled addiction for most of her life, which is probably what inspired this breathtaking and heartbreaking album. 

Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen To You

Coincidentally also released in 1958, this album shows off both Baker’s voice, in a nice selection of jazz standards, and his swinging, melodic trumpet skills, in a few short solos. Baker’s unique vocals, which helped him to rise to fame, are so delicate and elegant that they seem to just float effortlessly from the record player into the air.  

Frank Sinatra – Sinatra at the Sands

Despite his reputation as more of a pop star, Frank Sinatra was indeed a jazz artist. And this 1966 album—recorded live from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas—captures a compelling portrait of his talents as a jazz musician. The record player’s needle will also bring the album a lovely sense of warmth that’ll make you want to tap your toes! 

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Ella and Louis

They say that opposites attract, and these two jazz powerhouses are no exception! Fitzgerald has a light and girly voice, while Armstrong’s voice is earthy and deep. Their styles complement one other exquisitely, especially in this 1956 album, which is truly timeless. 

WJ3 All-Stars – Lovers & Love Songs

Like a vinyl record, true love is also ageless, timeless, and enduring. So, what better way to celebrate your love story than with a vinyl record of the newest album from the WJ3 All-Stars. Full of heartwarming melodies and modern renditions of iconic tunes, this album is sure to be remembered as one of the most beloved vinyl records of our era. 

The vinyl record of Lovers & Love Songs, which comes with a bonus signed CD, is available in our store today! 

This post was written by Blog Editor, Jacqueline Knirnschild.

What are the five elements of jazz?

If you didn’t take Music 101 in college and you’ve never played an instrument, then you probably aren’t familiar with the five fundamentals of jazz. Maybe you just love the sound of jazz, the way it makes you feel, and you’ve never quite been able to explain the magic behind it. That is more than okay! You don’t need to be an expert to love something. But, if you are interested in understanding what’s going on behind the scenes, we’ve got explanations of the basics right here in this blog post! Read on…

  1. Rhythm – Freddie Freeloader by Miles Davis

The rhythm is the beat at the heart of any jazz composition. It’s a pattern formed by a series of notes that range in duration and stress, which is what makes you tap your foot along to the tune. Like with most genres, jazz rhythms can be simple or complex, fast, or slow, but there’s always an underlying pulse, and, usually, jazz incorporates a variety of rhythms, which is what gives it such a snappy, swinging feel. 

“Freddie Freeloader” has a basic rhythm of 4/4, which means that there are four beats in every measure, and a quarter note receives one count. As you listen to this tune, count, or clap your hands one, two, three, four, and you’ll see what we’re talking about. 

  1. Harmony – Summertime by George Gershwin

Two or more notes that are played simultaneously creates the harmony, which is also referred to as a chord or change. In jazz, a chord usually consists of four to seven notes that are played at the same time, and the way that the notes are arranged in the chord convey a certain emotion. 

This jazz standard has a simple harmony. Can you hear when there are two or more notes being played at the same time?

  1. Form – Take the A Train by Duke Ellington

The form of jazz refers to the recurring chord progression that creates the structure of a song. Basically, there are multiple sections of a tune, and the way in which the sections are grouped determines the form. If you know anything about literature, forms are a bit like the rhyme schemes of a poem—for example, the first stanza may rhyme with the third and the second may rhyme with the fourth, creating an ABAB structure.

“Take the A Train” is 32 measures long and it’s separated into four sections that are each eight measures long. The first two sections have identical chords, the third is different and the fourth is the same as the first two. This form is called AABA. Listen carefully to see if you can spot the form! 

  1. Improvisation – Swing to Bop by Charlie Christian

Improvisation is exactly what it sounds like—musicians spontaneously compose music right there on the spot! This is probably the most crucial element of jazz, and the most challenging. A musician must not only be well-versed in his or her instrument but he or she must also understand how notes and chords play together, be able to play by ear (without reading sheet music), and be familiar with a wide variety of styles. No easy feat! 

This 1941 song was created through improvisation at a jam session. Listen for the interplay between the electric guitar and drum!

  1. Instruments and Sounds – Discoveries by Lorca Hart Trio

The most common jazz instruments are the saxophone, trumpet, piano, bass, drums, guitar, clarinet, trombone, and flute. All these instruments run the gamut when it comes to their tones and sounds, which the musician must use to develop his or her own personal sound. Jazz is also unique in the way that musicians strive to express emotions, rather than just playing clearly. Jazz artists, for example, can manipulate pitches to “whine,” “growl,” or to play “darkly” or “lightly.”

Pay attention to the opening of “Discoveries” for the tenor saxophone and drum solo. Then as the song goes on, see which other instruments you can identify. Maybe you could even compare the way in which Ralph Moore plays the saxophone to another saxophonist, like Wayne Escoffery, to see how each musician creates a personal sound. 

This post was written by Blog Editor, Jacqueline Knirnschild.