How Cover Art Shapes the Sound

“Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.” -Jean-Michel Basquiat

We all know the age-old adage, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” But then again, to play devil’s advocate, doesn’t the cover of a book play a major role in piquing the reader’s interest? Covers aren’t as irrelevant as your grandmother, or other parental figure, may have had you believe when they waved their finger at you and tried to convince you to read some dusty old book with a boring cover. No, let’s face it: the cover is the first thing we see, the image that sticks with us, and colors our understanding of the book. And the exact same is true of album covers! Before a listener hears a single trumpet line or piano chord, the artwork already suggests a mood, a story, or even a musical philosophy. It hints at the tone of the album and quietly prepares the listener for what they’re about to hear.

So, why don’t we dive into some of the most iconic jazz album covers and take a look at what makes them so great?

Bird and Diz – Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie

Did you know that the artist who made this cover, David Stone Martin, was one of the most prolific and iconic jazz album cover artists of the 20th century? He collaborated with countless jazz legends, such as Billie Holiday and Fred Astaire, to create over 400 covers that now evoke the mental image of mid-century jazz.

This specific album, released in 1952, captures the electric energy and exuberance between the dynamic duo of saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. The bold edges and selective use of color highlights the exhilarating improvisation of bebop. Martin used the crowquill ink pen to make delicate designs, such as the embellishments on the instruments. The imagery of the birds suggests to the listener that the instruments will seem to soar and fly away with the passion of the music on the ablum.

Time Out – Dave Brubeck Quartet

The abstract artwork on Time Out is a playful puzzle of colors and shapes, which is fitting, because the music inside the 1959 album experiments with rhythm in a similar way. The Dave Brubeck Quartet built the album around unusual time signatures like 5/4 and 9/8, which turned the rhythm into a kind of musical geometry that resembles the cover art. The bold, modernist cover hints that something innovative is happening within the grooves, and visually echoes the album’s adventurous spirit.

Bitches Brew – Miles Davis

The cover of Bitches Brew is an explosion of cosmic imagery, vibrant colors, dramatic landscapes and mysterious figures. Miles Davis’s previous album covers featured photographic portraits of the artist, so this surreal painting by Mati Klarwein was a big change. Before you even hear a single note, you already know this album will push boundaries and differ from Davis’s previous music. Bitches Brew fused jazz improvisation with electric instruments, rock energy, and studio experimentation to create a seminal landmark that influenced many musicians to come. The wild, psychedelic artwork prepares the listener for a sonic journey that is just as expansive and unpredictable.

Border Widow’s Lament – Bill Cunliffe, Martin Wind & Tim Horner

The cover of Border Widow’s Lament is a woman standing in front of what appears to be a sunrise or a sunset. She obscures the light with her dark silhouette, which, along with the melancholy title, suggests the experience of grief and pain. The border widow is a figure who has lost her beloved; whose sadness stands stark against the orange hues of the sky and the spindly tree branches in the background. Her grief is a powerful and potent force that defies the laws of nature. She exists in the liminal spaces, the borders and boundaries between night and day, life and death. Listeners will expect a deep musical experience that will allow for the catharsis of darker emotions.

My Ship – WJ3 All-Stars

The beautiful cover art for My Ship depicts a small blue sailboat amid the white of the blank canvas. In this interesting reversal, the ocean is white and the sailboat is blue, which is the opposite of what we would expect to see. And then the shore at the top is also blue brushes of paint instead of white sand. This unexpected shift sparks the listener’s imagination and makes one curious and wondrous. What other fun surprises might we expect to hear on this album?

Check out more compelling album art on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

photo by Pedro Netto on Unsplash

Women Who Reshaped Jazz Harmony

Photo by Vlad Shalaginov on Unsplash

Did you know that some of the most inventive harmonic thinking in jazz has come from women artists? From orchestral jazz composers to pianists expanding modal language, these artists pushed harmony forward in ways that still influence musicians today. In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s take a look at some of these impressive innovators whose work fundamentally expanded the harmonic palette of jazz!

Mary Lou Williams

Few figures in jazz history had the harmonic foresight of Mary Lou Williams. She began arranging music, and playing piano, when she was only nineteen, and quickly grew to national prominence in the 1930s with her recordings in Kansas City, Chicago and New York City. Williams wrote arrangements that expanded the harmonic vocabulary of big band jazz by weaving blues structures with more adventurous chord progressions.

By the 1940s Williams was already experimenting with the kinds of modern harmonies that would later define bebop. Her work helped to bridge between the 1920s stride piano and 1940s bebop. Musicians such as Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie visited Williams’s New York apartment for informal workshops where she shared new harmonic ideas. Her later jazz works integrated classical harmony, gospel voicings, and modal jazz, which showed how harmony could evolve while remaining rooted in tradition.

For a taste of William’s blending of jazz and advanced classical-style harmonic structures, take a listen to her 1945 composition “Zodiac Suite.”

Carla Bley

Carla Bley’s compositional voice transformed large-ensemble jazz in the late 20th century, especially in the free jazz movement of the 1960s, which took a more experimental avant-garde approach to jazz improvisation. Rather than relying on traditional functional harmony, Bley often built pieces around unexpected chord movements, tonal ambiguity, and layered harmonic textures.

Her landmark jazz opera Escalator Over the Hill blurred boundaries between jazz, rock, and avant-garde classical music. Throughout her career, she used harmony as a means of narrative storytelling. She imbued avant-garde compositions with leaner, simpler and more melodic sensibilities inspired by gospel, bluegrass and folk music. Her sparse, crystalline style eliminated unnecessary notes and sharpened the emotional impact.

Carla Bley’s 1987 piece “Lawns” showcases her ability to blend romantic, melancholic melodies with sophisticated harmony and highlights her lyrical, tender side.

Geri Allen

Geri Allen, who has a master’s degree in ethnomusicology, brought a deeply intellectual yet emotionally powerful approach to harmony. She was a member of the 1980s M-Base movement, which was a Brooklyn-based collective that emphasized complex non-Western rhythms, improvisational structures and creative collaboration. She combined the rhythmic freedom of avant-garde jazz with rich harmonic structures drawn from gospel, classical music, and modal jazz.

Rather than treating harmony as static chords, Allen viewed harmony as a fluid, evolving landscape beneath improvisation. In this way she played a major role in modernizing post-bop piano from the mid-1980s onward by introducing a more surreal approach that favored advanced modal reharmonization, layered voicings, polychords and rich atonality. She excelled in navigating atonal structures while also maintaining a deep, soulful blues connection. Allen’s harmonic language has been described as lush yet jagged, and has influenced many contemporary pianists such as Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, and Craig Taborn.

“Feed the Fire” is the title track from Geri Allen’s 1993 album with Dave Holland and Jack Dejohnette and it captures her harmonic openness and layered piano textures.

Maria Schneider

Maria Schneider’s orchestral jazz compositions are among the most harmonically sophisticated works written for jazz orchestras today. Influenced by Gil Evans and classical impressionism, Schneider builds lush, shimmering harmonic environments that merge solo sections with ensemble textures and unfold gradually. Rather than relying on traditional 32-bar song forms and alternating solos, her compositions often unfold as long-form, linear narratives.

Her music often uses extended chords, impressionistic harmony, and orchestral color rather than traditional swing-era progressions. Schneider moved beyond the typical three-section trumpet, trombone and sax of jazz big bands and instead mixes instruments such as the flugelhorn, trombone and bass flute to create memorable timbers that mimic a French horn. The result is a cinematic harmonic language that feels closer to Debussy than to conventional big band writing.

Schneider’s piece “Hang Gliding,” released on her album Allegresse in 2000, showcases her evocative, lush style.

Expanding the Harmonic Story of Jazz

The history of jazz harmony is far richer than the standard narratives often suggest. Artists like Mary Lou Williams, Carla Bley, Geri Allen, and Maria Schneider each pushed the music in new directions, whether through bebop innovations, avant-garde composition, modal exploration, or orchestral jazz writing. And these are only a scant few that we’ve chosen to share with you today – there are countless others who have and are continuing to shape and influence the world of music every day.

These fierce women’s work reminds us that the evolution of jazz harmony has always been a collective effort. During Women’s History Month, and throughout the year, it’s worth exploring and revisiting these artists whose ideas continue to resonate in modern jazz.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Jazz for Spring Cleaning

I don’t know about you, but I find spring cleaning so enjoyable and therapeutic! After the busy winter holiday season it feels so good to open the windows wide and let the fresh, crisp spring air waft through the house. Sometimes when I do my spring cleaning I even feel a bit like a Disney princess calling, singing, cajoling to all the creatures outside that are bursting with new life and energy. I feel so much lighter and freer after I’ve dusted out all the corners, cracks and crevices; and cleared away all the old bits and bobs. But you know what makes me feel even better when I’m cleaning? Yup, that’s right–some rejuvenating and energizing jazz that ushers in the reset and new season.

Jitterbug Waltz – WJ3 All-Stars

What order do you like to do your cleaning? I usually do the bathrooms first because they’re my least favorite, and then I move on to dusting and wiping down the walls, countertops and other surfaces. Last but not least I vacuum and scrub the floors. Phew! A big deep clean like that really is a full day of work! I think we’re going to need a song with some pep in its step to motivate us to get started, and “The Jitterbug Waltz” is just the one! From Night is Alive’s album Lover and Love Songs, this tune will get you shaking and a-grooving as you gather your cleaning supplies.

Don’t Know Why – Lonnie Plaxico, Douglas Plaxico & Lafayette Harris Jr.

This new jazzy rendition of the beloved Norah Jones song is a lovely tune to sing along to while you sweep and scrub. It’s supposed to be very healthy and cathartic for humans to sing, so, don’t worry about your pitch or tone and just let your voice soar! And then maybe you can dance around a bit during the groovy little instrumental interludes. Out across the endless sea, I would die in ecstasy…

Are You Alright – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & Others

Don’t you think that cleaning and singing just go together like peanut butter and jelly? I always find myself wanting to sing while I’m cleaning, so here is another song, from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, that allows you to exercise your vocal chords while you reorganize your house. It is a bright rendition of Lucinda Williams’ 2007 tune, and invites you to think of a loved one who may be struggling. Let’s send out positive energy this spring!

Suddenly It’s Spring – John Di Martino, Harry Allen & others

Cleaning doesn’t have to be boring or toilsome. We can make it fun by pretending that the end of the mop is a microphone and the floors are your stage! Use your imagination to sing into your mic and slink around your stage as if you’re a performer at a groovy, spunky underground speakeasy. This tune, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible, is also perfect because it celebrates and welcomes spring! Trees stomp their feet and the birds all have coats…

Here’s That Rainy Day – Lorca Hart Trio

Ah, you’ve done it. Your house is all clean, fresh and sparkly. It feels good doesn’t it? Now it’s time to light a candle, sit on your comfy couch and soak up the new spring vibes. Maybe you even want to pour yourself a glass of wine? Relax and enjoy while you listen to this peaceful number from Night is Alive’s album Colors of Jazz.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Spotlight: The Women Artists of Night is Alive

For Women’s History Month this March we’d like to shine a spotlight on the many talented women artists of Night is Alive! These ladies have won countless awards, filled our records with passion and really worked hard to contribute to the jazz music community. We applaud you all for your great successes and are overjoyed to be able to celebrate your many accomplishments this month! May we raise our glasses and toast to Janis Siegel, Camille Thurman, Teddy Horangic and Andromeda Turre!

Janis Siegel

Janis Siegel’s career is just as rich and impressive as her silky smooth voice. From her dazzling vocals for The Manhattan Transfer, which received ten Grammy Awards during her tenure; to her solo career and achievements as a vocal arranger; Siegel has had her hand in many parts of the music industry. This vivid tapestry of musical expertise really shines through in her voice! Among her many accomplishments, Siegel was awarded a Grammy for her arrangement of “Birdland” in 1980, and received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee School of Music in 1993. With Night is Alive, Siegel explored a unique fusion of country-western and jazz in the album Cryin’ In My Whiskey. You can read more about her adventurous spirit in our feature interview, and don’t miss her soulful rendition of the classic song “Where Do I Put His Memory.”

Camille Thurman

A double threat on the jazz scene, Camille Thurman is equally renowned for her virtuosic tenor saxophone playing and her four-octave vocal range. Thurman is also a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and as well as a composer. Her first two solo albums topped the Billboard Charts and in 2017 and 2018, and she was the runner-up in the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition! Thurman has brought her luminous presence to Night is Alive through her collaboration on Lonnie Plaxico’s album Radiance, where she reimagines soul and jazz classics with effortless sophistication. We just couldn’t get enough of Thurman and ended up doing two interviews with her! The first Q&A focuses more on her formative experiences with music and the second Q&A her more recent endeavors. And don’t forget to listen to her favorite song from Radiance, “It’s a Shame.”

Teddy Horangic

Teddy Horangic brings a powerful and festive energy to the Night is Alive roster, particularly through her contributions to the holiday season. A Yale University student of Grammy-winning saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, Teddy made her professional recording debut on the label’s celebratory album This Christmas with Night is Alive. Horangic draws inspiration from legends like Sarah Vaughan and Cecile McLorin Salvant, and excels in imbuing her music with deep heartfelt emotion. For a true display of her vocal range and holiday spirit, check out her enchanting performance of “O Holy Night.”

Andromeda Turre

Andromeda Turre is a visionary artist who uses her glorious and fluid vocal tone to bridge the worlds of jazz and environmental activism. The daughter of jazz legends Steve Turre and Akua Dixon, she was raised in the heart of the New York jazz scene and has since headlined stages in 17 countries. Her latest groundbreaking project, From the Earth, is a multidisciplinary gallery exhibit that collaborated with visual artists to provide a fully immersive experience that promotes environmental justice and connects viewers with local climate initiatives. For Night is Alive, Turre shines as the vocalist for the star-studded holiday album Christmas Ain’t Like It Used To Be, where she balances classic jazz sensitivity with modern reflection. For a standout example of her storytelling prowess, listen to the titular track, “Christmas Ain’t Like It Used to Be.”

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s clear that the women of Night is Alive are not just performing jazz—they are actively shaping its future. From Janis Siegel’s legendary arrangements, Camille Thurman’s dual-threat virtuosity to Andromeda Turre’s environmental activism, and the rising brilliance of Teddy Horangic, these artists represent a breathtaking spectrum of leadership, reform, and raw talent. Their contributions remind us that the heart of jazz beats strongest when it is inclusive, bold, and forward-thinking. We invite you to explore their albums, dive into their interviews, and join us in applauding these incredible women who help to make the Night is Alive community so vibrant.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Throwback to Lovers & Love Songs

The story of two star-crossed lovers.

Since February is the month of love, we’re throwing it back to reminisce on our beloved 2019 album Lovers & Love Songs. But this isn’t just any old romance album; it’s a story, a journey into the colliding lives of two star-crossed lovers. So, put on your heart-eyed glasses, grab your popcorn and a glass of your favorite red wine, and join us on a trip down memory lane. We will go on an adventure through all the stages of love, contemplate the power of love and ultimately leave you to draw your own interpretations. Let’s go!

Wait, before we begin our journey, let me give you a little backstory behind the conception album itself. Following two sold out concerts in Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers, NiA Managing Director/Producer Kathy Salem encouraged the WJ3 All-Stars to take their performances to the next level in a studio album. The band members excitedly agreed, which led to a deeply nourishing, fulfilling and generative collaboration. Pianist Donald Vega said that it was his first time playing with the band and it was such fun! Saxophonist Ralph Moore said, “It’s one of the best recordings I have made in the past ten years.”

Not only are the WJ3 All-Stars composed of several of the jazz industry’s top musicians, but they also excel in storytelling through music. Like I said earlier, Lovers & Love Songs tells the story of two people in love, which creates a level of depth, emotional intensity and resonance that you can feel in every song. Okay then, so let’s begin our journey . . .

I’ve Never Been in Love Before – WJ3 All-Stars

Every romance begins with a protagonist, and ours is Roberta. A vivid woman in the modern age, Roberta feels like she’s unlucky in love and has never really been in love before. While you listen to the first song on the album, imagine Roberta sitting alone at a diner that boasts “the best food in the middle of nowhere.” Roberta watches the steam curl up from her mug of coffee, like the curling musical notes of the saxophone playing on the nearby jukebox. She is contemplating her life, and her lack of love.

First Time I Saw Your Face – WJ3 All-Stars

Oh, but wait! Roberta remembers that she has indeed been in love before. She remembers the first time she saw her old flame’s face. Colin. Yes, Colin. How could she forget about him? Well, because it never worked out with Colin. Even though, deep down, Roberta felt that Colin loved her just as much as she loved him, she had gotten tired of waiting around for him to make a commitment to her.

Cry Me A River – WJ3 All-Stars

Oh yes, Colin had issues with commitment. He was from out west after all, Roberta thought. Maybe he was just too trendy for commitment? But whatever, Roberta simply felt like she couldn’t forgive that night, many years ago, when Colin left her stranded at the Cry Me A River Hotel. After a lovely weekend getaway together, Roberta had woken up in their luxurious bed and rolled over to find the spot next to her empty. Empty? Where had Colin gone? Without saying goodbye? She stood up and found a note on the table. I love you, it said. But I can’t do this, I’m not ready, and I’ll never be good enough for you anyway. Goodbye, Colin. That was the last time Roberta had seen Colin but not a moment had passed that she hadn’t been thinking about him.

Here’s That Rainy Day – WJ3 All-Stars

Roberta returned from her reveries to sipping her coffee in the diner. Rain began to drizzle and splash outside the window next to her. Of course, Roberta thought. Of course it’s going to start to rain now. The weather accurately represented her gloomy mood. But then there was a “ping!” and her phone vibrated. Who could it be? Roberta looked at the screen. It was a call from a number she didn’t recognize. She answered anyway. “Roberta!” the voice said on the other end. It was Colin. How did he know that she had just been thinking about him?

From This Moment On – WJ3 All-Stars

“Roberta,” Colin said. “How have you been?” Roberta and Colin caught up on their lives, what had happened in the past few years. It was nice enough but Roberta was impatient for the conversation to become more serious. She wanted to know why he was calling. What were his motivations?

Finally, Colin said, “Listen, Roberta. I made a mistake all those years ago. I shouldn’t have left you. It pains me now to think about how terrible that must’ve made you feel. I was so incredibly stupid back then, so stupid and so young. I didn’t know what I wanted. Hell, I didn’t even know who I was back then. I was still finding myself, and I know that’s not an excuse to treat someone the way I treated you, but it’s just the truth. I was confused and immature, but not anymore. I know exactly who I am now. I know what I want; all I’ve ever wanted–it’s to love and be loved by you. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about you. From this moment on I want to do everything in my power to get you back. Will you meet me?”

Roberta was too shocked for words. There were tears dripping down her cheeks and her heart was pounding but she couldn’t speak. All the memories of their relationship flooded back: picnics at the park, holding hands, kissing each other’s noses. She loved him and he loved her. She was euphoric, jubilant, on top of the world. For years she had wished, yearned, even pleaded to God for a moment like this. But then the initial joy was undercut by doubt. Now that this moment was here she feared that it felt almost too good to be true. Could she really trust Colin again? Was what he said true? Should she really go and meet him?

Well, that’s all for now folks! I apologize for leaving you on a cliffhanger, but we wanted to leave the ending open to your own interpretations. So what do you think? While you listen to Lovers & Love Songs, why don’t you daydream, imagine a bit. If this was your story to finish, what happened to Roberta and Colin?

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Heart Eyes & Heart-Filled Jazz for Valentine’s Day

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and you know what that means–time to sidle up to your sweetheart and enjoy some heart eyes and heart-filled moments together! Whether you’re planning on staying home and getting cozy on the couch with some chocolates and a good rom-com, or you’re going out for some fine wine and dining at a fancy white tablecloth restaurant, Night is Alive has got some music to help you set the mood!

It’s You or No One – Harry Allen Trio

Amid the chaotic hecticness of our jam-packed lives, it can be hard to find the time to really settle down, relax and enjoy the company of our significant other. If you’ve been with your partner for a long time it might even become harder to appreciate them over the years. It’s easy for someone to become just another part of your routine, rather than a special person who you really cherish. Valentine’s Day gives you an opportunity to experience gratitude for that person who is always there for you, right by your side. Let yourself sink into this song, from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, while you and your lover embrace each other.

First Time I Saw Your Face – WJ3 All-Stars

How much fun is it to reminisce back on when you first met your special someone? Those early butterflies, blushes, stolen glances and first date jitters were really special. This song, from Night is Alive’s album Lover and Love Songs will help you to look back in time and unlock those early sweet memories. Let the smooth saxophone ease you while you bask in the bliss of nostalgia as you remember the first time you saw your lover’s face.

Whenever You Come Around – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & Others

Maybe you just recently started dating someone new. Maybe you’re still in that sweet honeymoon stage and every time that special someone comes around you just can’t help but feel weak in the knees and overwhelmed. A new crush or relationship is such an exciting time, and this jazzy rendition of Vince Gill’s 1994 hit will be sure to help you enjoy every moment of it!

Taking a Chance on Love – WJ3 All-Stars

Love can be really risky and scary sometimes, and it might even make you wonder if it’s all worth it. Maybe you’re in a long-distance relationship, or going through a rough patch, but to get through it, you need to trust that you won’t regret taking a chance on love. This lovely little tune, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship, will help you to remember that love is worth the risk.

 Can’t Hide Love – Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman

No matter what you’re doing this Valentine’s Day, we at Night is Alive wish you the very best and hope that you find love. Love exists everywhere, in the cracks and crevices of daily life, in the smiles and nods with acquaintances and strangers, the hugs with friends and family, the petting of a beloved dog or cat. Squeeze your lover’s hand extra tight while you listen to the soaring vocals of Camille Thurman. This song celebrates love in all shapes and forms!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Safa Pourtavakkoli on Unsplash

Anti-Valentine’s Day Jazz

Music for the Cynical, Broken-Hearted and Blissfully Single

While the rest of the world is drowning in overpriced roses, sickly sweet chocolates and the suffocating scent of manufactured sentiment, some of us prefer our February 14th to be a bit grittier, with a side of minor chords and a healthy dose of reality. Whether you’re currently nursing a bruised ego, recovering from a recent ghosting, or raising a glass to your own hard-won independence, jazz can offer a sanctuary for the un-coupled. It’s the music of the midnight rain and the solitary streetlamp—a genre that understands “love” doesn’t always have to be a Broadway finale; sometimes, it can be a moody trumpet solo in a dimly lit room.

Here is a curated look at the sounds that trade saccharine sweet for smoke and soul. May these songs help you to celebrate your own “Anti-Valentine’s Day” this year.

Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & others

Has your latest fling moved on and found someone new? That rejection is going to sting. But this song, from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, will at least help you to know that you’re not alone. As Crystal Gayle sang in 1977, many people go through this experience, and guess what? They all recover from it. You’ve found someone new and / Don’t it make my brown eyes blue.

Kathy’s Blues – Harry Allen Trio

Having the blues doesn’t necessarily have to be downtrodden and sad. It can be nice and cathartic to luxuriate in the deeper swings, the lower notes, of life. This tune, from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3 captures the hues and resonances of the blues. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and bask in Rossano Sportiello’s intricate piano and Harry Allen’s unforgettable saxophone. This is love too; self-love.

Free – Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman

Being single doesn’t mean being alone, it means being free. This is an important message to remember. From nothingness comes infinite possibilities. There are so many places you can go, things you can do, life to live and goals to accomplish. Without a partner you don’t have to factor anyone else into your decisions. You are free to do exactly as you please! Embrace this freedom with this lovely song from the hot new album Radiance.

Recluse – Lorca Hart Trio

Do you ever want to be completely alone, veg out on the couch with a facemask and hot tea and watch your favorite movie? Well, guess what, this “Anti-Valentine’s Day” you can do just that! You don’t have to answer to anyone, and you don’t have to be anywhere, so use the time to get some rest and relaxation. You deserve it! And while you’re at it, listen to this song, from Night is Alive’s album, which celebrates the joys of reclusivity.

Looking Back – Bill Cunliffe, Martin Wind, Tim Horner

Looking back and reflecting on your life, isn’t it wonderful to realize that you’re not stuck in one of your past relationships? Wouldn’t you rather be single than forcing something with someone that wasn’t right for you? It’s important to take time to look back and recognize how far you’ve come, and this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, provides the perfect backdrop for such ruminations.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Superbowl Sunday Songs

Photo by Paolo Aldrighetti on Unsplash

Get your buffalo chicken dip, cold beer and good friends ready because Superbowl Sunday is coming up soon! Whether you’re rooting for the Patriots or the Seahawks, it’s sure to be a good time. Or maybe you’re not even the biggest football fan and you just enjoy spending time with loved ones and watching the extravagant commercials. No matter, wherever you stand, Night is Alive has some tunes to get you excited! Who ever said that jazz and football can’t go together? 

Whenever You Come Around – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino and others

At first, football and jazz seem to be an unlikely pair, just like country and jazz. But alas, this song, from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin in My Whiskey shows that the two genres can indeed be put together to create something new and sensational. Now let’s raise our beers and cheers!

Sideshow – Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr. 

Do you know who is performing at the halftime show this year? Yes, that’s right–it’s going to be Puerto Rican rapper and singer, Bad Bunny! Who knows, maybe the sideshow will even outshine the main show? Listen to this song, from Night is Alive’s album Radiance to get pumped for the sideshow that is sure to be memorable. 

Runnin’ Wild – Harry Allen Trio 

Cheer on your favorite players this Sunday as they go running wild on the field! Wait, what was that? Another touchdown? Whoo! Let this song carry your team another ten yards down the field. From Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, this tune has all the frenetic energy of Superbowl Sunday. 

Wave – WJ3 All-Stars 

Are the audience members doing the wave in the stands? Do they have foam fingers? Other fun spirit wear? Even if you’re not the biggest sports fan, it can still be fun to embrace the community of a gameday. Tailgating is a beloved tradition that brings people together and rallies them for the same team, which celebrates friendly competition. Enjoy this song, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship to get you into the tailgating spirit. 

Jitterbug Waltz – WJ3 All-Stars

Touchdown!! And with those last six points, the 2026 Superbowl comes to a close. Are you happy with the winning time? How did your fantasy league perform? No matter the outcome, be sure to shake the hand of the other team and celebrate the day with this upbeat tune from Night is Alive’s album Lovers and Love Songs.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Paolo Aldrighetti on Unsplash

Motivational Jazz to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions!

Photo by carolyn christine on Unsplash

Alright, so it’s a few weeks into 2026. How are your New Year’s resolutions going? I bet it was easy at first–you were excited and motivated to start working towards those goals–whether they be saving money, exercising more, eating healthy or going to sleep earlier. But it can be hard to be consistent and continue to show up every day after the initial spark of energy fades. To help out, Night is Alive has got you covered with a lively playlist that’ll put an extra pep in your step and give you the motivation you need to stick to those resolutions!

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman – All This Love

To stick to a goal it’s important to remember why exactly you set the goal in the first place. Whether it is running a marathon or keeping a gratitude journal, think about the reasons you set the goal in the first place. Do you want to be healthier and more physically fit? Do you want to be more gracious and present in the moment? Your goals should come from a place of love. Listen to this song, from the hot new album Radiance, to help you feel all the love that went into the goals you set for yourself!

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

Now that you’re feeling the love and motivation behind your New Year’s resolutions, it’s time to run a bit wild! Go for it! Let this tune, from NiA’s album It Takes 3, give you the extra burst of energy you need to push yourself to that next step, that next level. Let Harry Allen’s groovy, fast-paced saxophone spur you on as you go that extra mile for yourself. 

Lorca Hart Trio – Like This

Keeping your New Year’s resolutions is a matter of showing up for yourself; of being there when you said you would be. It’s about follow-through and commitment, diligence and perseverance. But it’s also about Inspiration & Gratitude, which lucky for you is the name of one of NiA’s albums! Listen to this upbeat song, from the Lorca Hart Trio, to fill yourself with a deep sense of positivity that’ll guide you along your journey.

WJ3 All-Stars – I Should Care

If anyone tries to belittle or delegitimize your New Year’s resolutions, you tell them off! It’s so easy to put someone down, but staying steadfast in your goals is much harder. Like this song, from our album My Ship, captures, you should care about your goals for self-improvement and self-betterment, because if you don’t care then no one else is going to care.

John Di Martino, Harry Allen and others – Imagination

Imagine yourself at the end of 2026, smiling and triumphant in your resolutions. You ran that marathon! You became a vegan! You finally paid off your car! It is very motivating to use your imagination to visualize your success because by visualizing your achievements you can manifest them in real life. So, while you listen to this smooth song, from our album Call Me Irresponsible, let yourself drift off into dreamland.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by carolyn christine on Unsplash

Pump Up Gym Tunes

Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash

The gym can be pretty crowded at this time of year, but don’t let that dissuade you from pursuing and achieving your 2026 fitness goals! Instead of getting irritated by the crowds at the gym, try to harness that extra energy and buzz into your workout. When your spring beach vacation rolls around, you’ll sure be glad you put in the sweat this January. To help you stay motivated and pumped up, Night is Alive has put together a slamming playlist!

John Di Martino, Joe Magnarelli, Wayne Escoffery and others – 2 Degrees East 3 Degrees West

Before you get into your workout, remember it’s important to stretch first. Stretching increases flexibility and mobility, which is important in preventing injuries. Although it can take some patience to stretch when all you really want is to get into the heat, trust us, it will be well worth the wait. Melt into this smooth tune, from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue, as you sink into each stretch. Can you push yourself just a few degrees deeper?

Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr. – The In Crowd

Let’s kick things off with this smashing tune from the hot new album Radiance. Let the fast tempo guide your movements–you might even want to aim for one rep every beat of the song. Can you get that speed? You’ve got it! Keep going. Hitting your goals will make you feel like part of “the in crowd”!

Lorca Hart Trio – MoJoe

Once you push past that initial wall of your workout, you start to get into the flow of things and feel pretty good. Let those endorphins course through your body while you listen to this vibrant song from Night is Alive’s beloved album Colors of Jazz. Can you feel the gradient of colors, shades and hues that your body is experiencing as you move? Can you feel the ups and downs, energy highs and lows of your workout? Embrace all the feelings and colors.

Willie Jones III, Jeremy Pelt, Wayne Escoffery and others – Star Eyes

There are mirrors all over the walls at the gyms for a reason–to inspire and motivate you! Don’t be afraid to watch yourself as your body becomes stronger–who knows, you might just feel like you have star eyes. Who knew your body was capable of such hard work? You’re getting so strong! Don’t quit now! Let this groovy tune, from Night is Alive’s album MMy Ship, motivate you as the sweat starts to drip down your back.

Harry Allen Trio – Seems To Me I’ve Heard That Song Before

You did it! You completed your workout and are one step closer to fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions. You should be very proud of yourself. Be sure to drink some water, stretch and cool down a bit before you return to the rush of daily life. Maybe you can take a nice stroll around the track while you catch your breath and listen to this snazzy song from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash