Fall Foliage Jazz Playlist

Photo by Ivan Kuznetsov on Unsplash

Did you know that fall is America’s favorite season? A recent survey shows that 45% of participants named autumn as their favorite. I bet this has something to do with the stunning foliage in many parts of the country. It just brightens your day so much when your commute to work is bathed in hues of orange, red and yellow. And what about the smell of the leaves and the crunch underfoot? There really is something magical about the time of year when the trees shed their outer coats. So, while you’re driving, walking, cycling or just sitting on the front porch enjoying the fall foliage, enjoy our Fall Foliage Jazz Playlist. These songs will have you breathing in and soaking up the enchantment of autumn.

Hudson River Wind – John Di Martino, Joe Magnarelli, Wayne Escoffery & others

The magic of the changing leaves are heightened when a nice crisp gust of river wind blows them off their branches. The leaves flutter, like butterflies, down onto our sidewalks and windshields, creating a collage of colors. Like the swirling, groovy beat of this beautiful song from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue, the river winds bring so much joy.

Where Do I Put His Memory – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & others

Maybe you’ve just gone through a breakup or lost a loved one and are struggling with placing those memories in the past. I don’t know about you but when I am feeling down and blue about something in my life, I enjoy going for a long drive through the woods. The trees, leaves and green grass help to calm my nerves while I listen to some music, like this song from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ in My Whiskey.

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

There is something about Norah Jones that feels very autumnal to me, like her music just makes me want to pull a warm cozy knit sweater over my head and drink a cup of tea while observing the fall foliage. But why not spice things up a bit with this brand new rendition of Jones’s beloved song, from the album Radiance.

Kathy’s Blues – Harry Allen Trio

This song, inspired by Night is Alive’s founder and director Kathy Salem, is velvety and cool, smashing and dashing, with Harry Allen’s sax taking center stage. From the album It Takes 3, this tune will make you want to twirl around outside, embodying the spirits of the trees and the energy of the season!

Dayne – Lorca Hart Trio

After enjoying the fall foliage, you are probably feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and light on your feet, which is the vibe of this song, from Night is Alive’s beloved album Colors of Jazz. Having restful and easeful moments can help prepare us for the busyness of life that will inevitably return with the start of the holiday season. Cheers!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Ivan Kuznetsov on Unsplash

Haunting Jazz for a Haunted House

Photo by Ján Jakub Naništa on Unsplash

You’ve set up the fog machine and lights, and positioned the cobwebs, dust and skeletons, which means it’s time for the sound effects! But rather than use the predictable eerie sounds, why not opt for something a bit more unsettling and frightful? Our Haunting Jazz playlist will hypnotize your guests into an experience like no other. These songs offer a darkly sophisticated twist on the Haunted House with chilling, atmospheric swing. The slow build-ups and deep rhythms will really get under the skin and create a deep, all-encompassing sense of dread.

Standing By the Window Waving Goodbye – Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind

Wave goodbye to the world of sanity and reality as you enter into the Haunted House with this mesmerizing song from Night is Alive’s album The Border Widow’s Lament. The methodical plucking of Martin Wind’s bass creates a spooky, tense vibe, like the slow drip of water from a faucet. Let the tension and anxiety build as you round the first corner and AHH! A zombie jumps out to grab you.

Deep In A Dream – John Di Martino, Harry Allen & others

Being inside of a haunted house feels like a dream, or maybe more like a nightmare . . . the rules of reality no longer apply and anything could happen. A huge spider could fall from the sky, a cat could arch its back and shriek at you, or a bloody corpse could twist and turn on an operating table. Let the dream take over, just like in this song from Night is Alive’s album The Border Widow’s Lament.

Recluse – Lorca Hart Trio

It’s so dark inside this haunted house, maybe you get lost, separated from your friends. Oh no! Where is that skeleton hand guiding you? Have you become a recluse, a loner inside this ghoulish space? I bet it’s scary to be all alone, which is a feeling portrayed in this song from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude.

The Gypsy – John Di Martino, Wayne Escoffery & others

Is that a gypsy or a witch performing dark magic in the corner of the haunted house? What is she doing? Be careful or you might just become possessed. Let the entrancing sound of Joe Magnarelli’s trumpet, in this tune from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue wash over you as you plan your escape.

Are You Alright? – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & others

It’s okay to be a little bit scared during this spooky time of the year. While you’re enjoying the haunted houses, just check in with yourself and make sure that you’re alright. Like the tender voice of Janis Siegel in this song, from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, it’s important to take care of yourself!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Greg Panagiotoglou on Unsplash

Pumpkin Carving Jazz Tunes

Photo by Steven Van Elk on Unsplash

The perfect songs to add to your spooky season playlist.

It doesn’t really feel like fall until you make your first jack-o-lantern, does it? It’s so much fun to think up a ghoulish design and bring your pumpkin to life. But what’s a carving session without a great soundtrack? Ditch the typical spooky sounds this year for something a bit more elegant and graceful with Night is Alive’s Pumpkin Carving Jazz Tunes playlist. These five cozy, autumnal jazz songs–from Bill Cunliffe to Lonnie Plaxico–will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes while you turn your gourd into a glowing masterpiece!

Slangelang – Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind

Things on Halloween may not always appear to be what they seem, like that black cat on the corner, is she just a cat or a witch in disguise? Or what about that flickering light in the window–is it just a candle or a ghost signal? Anything is possible, a sentiment that is captured beautifully in this song from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament.

Ness and His Family – Lorca Hart Trio

Continuing with the theme that things aren’t always as they seem, perhaps the “Ness” in this song is the Loch Ness Monster? Oh my! As you listen to the smooth saxophone can you imagine the Loch Ness Monster sliding into the depths of the ocean? I bet this tune, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration & Gratitude, will inspire some mystical designs on your pumpkin.

Shake Down the Stars – John Di Martino, Harry Allen & others

The slinky vocals of this tune, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible, evoke the effortless gliding of a knife through the skin of a pumpkin. Don’t limit yourself while you carve and create. Shake down the stars, and climb the ladder of creativity to make something that you’re truly proud of!

Mona Lisa – Lonnie Plaxico, Douglas Plaxico

Your pumpkin masterpieces may not exactly measure up to the Mona Lisa, but the sky is the limit. Let this song, from the new album Radiance, inspire you to design a facial expression on your pumpkin that is very mysterious. Is the orange monster smiling or keeping a secret? Angry or casting a spell? Who knows!

Border Widow’s Lament – Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind The majestic soaring of Martin Wind’s bass in this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, is beautiful, haunting and rich in resonance. It will hypnotize you as you put the final finishing touches on your pumpkin carving and usher in the candlelight.

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Steven Van Elk on Unsplash

Have a Jazzy Oktoberfest!

Photo by Marlene Haiberger on Unsplash

Do you know where the first Oktoberfest was held? That’s right–Munich, Germany! And which year was it held? Correct–1810! So that means this fun-loving 16-day beer-drinking  festival has been going on for over two hundred years now! So how about you continue the tradition by gathering your friends and family and heading out to enjoy some delicious traditional Bavarian food and beer. But of course, before you begin the funfest, how about some jazzy tunes to get you excited?

Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr. – The In Crowd

When you’re among the throngs of partygoers at Oktoberfest, you are definitely in the “in crowd,” so it makes sense to listen to this brand new tune from the album Radiance. While you get ready for the day by putting on your lederhosen and dirndls, enjoy the fast, upbeat pace of Lafayette Harris Jr.’s groovy piano!

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

With all the pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut and strudel, you are going to be runnin’ wild from tent to tent at Oktoberfest! Just like Harry Allen’s dashing saxophone in Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, you are going to be frisking and prancing all about! Don’t forget to wash it all down with a nice cold stein of beer too.

John Di Martino, Harry Allen, Dave Stryker & others – The Second Time Around

Now that you’ve warmed your belly with some good grub and drink, it’s time to take a second walk around the fest and play some games! Have you ever tried to dance the polka? Done a keg rolling contest? Played ring toss? What about a yodeling contest or stein-holding competition? The options are endless, so make sure to enjoy the second time around like this song from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible suggests!

WJ3 All-Stars – Wave

It’s not Oktoberfest without good friends and company! Have you run into some folks you know in the community? Make sure to wave and smile at everyone because who knows, maybe a wave can just lead to something more . . . Uh oh, who is that kissing behind the beer tasting stand!? Let the smooth waves of this jazz tune from Night is Alive’s album My Ship envelope you in a nice buzz.

Lorca Hart Trio – Bye Ya

Like all good things, Oktoberfest must come to a close, but alas, the party doesn’t have to end. Even though you may be saying “bye ya” to the funfest, you could still invite some friends over for an afterparty, or buy a nice beer mug to bring home and remember the day by. Like this song, from Night is Alive’s album Colors of Jazz depicts, saying goodbye doesn’t have to be a sad affair, it can still be jolly!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Marlene Haiberger on Unsplash

Q&A with Camille Thurman – Part 2

Part Two of Night is Alive’s exclusive interview with Camille Thurman

It’s finally here – the final part of our conversation with the incredible Camille Thurman! As an accomplished composer, esteemed saxophonist, vocalist, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition, she is quickly becoming one of the leading standard bearers of the art form (from https://www.camillethurmanmusic.com/bio). And now, more from Camille…

NiA: You have five studio albums now, and received multiple jazz awards. Which moment from your career makes you most proud?

CT: Getting recognized is nice and great and wonderful but the real reason you do it is for the love of the music and every time I get to play with a musician I love is an honour and a privilege. That they’re willing to join you in creating their vision is an honor. Whether you get recognized or not isn’t as important as getting to play with the people you really respect and admire.

NiA: Yes, it is such an honor. In the beginning what music were you and these musicians playing together? Jazz standards?

CT: In the beginning I figured out who I wanted to play with and work with, then the first step was learning their music, as well as learning all the stuff that you should know. If you’re playing in a session, play the repertoire, learn what particular people want to work with, what are they playing, so if hypothetically you get an opportunity to play with them, know where they’re coming from, whatever it is. You need to meet them where they are and have musical conversation, and my own stuff that over the years I like and have been attracted to are things that inspire me and a lot of times things that I’ve learned from.

NiA: What was it like to record the new album Radiance? Do you have any favorite moments that stood out?

CT: It was really fun! Lonnie Plaxico is an incredible bassist, and he played with Art Blakey, so it was just an honor and privilege. Like woah, I couldn’t believe I got to play with him. I was with my band and Darrell Green, when I got the call from Lonnie Plaxico that he wanted me on his project, and I thought let me get all my stuff together, he’s incredible. I love and appreciate his musicality and composition and so, I was like wait, we’re not doing your stuff?  He used to tell me stories all the time about going up to Chicago and what it was like at that time–you had to learn the music of the people and make people groove and dance and if you could do that that’s what mattered, it wasn’t about showing off on your instrument. He talked about that a lot, so I was like, “wow okay you’re finally getting to do this” and he was like “I want you to have an opportunity to do what you do too on the album.”

The whole session was just fun and easy, not technically easy, but just could breathe with ease–that’s how it felt recording all the music. We didn’t even have to do multiple takes, we just came in and did it and it just happened, the way Lonnie played was just wow…. I was like a kid in the candy store. Recording the music just felt so good, which is what matters. Does it feel good? If it doesn’t feel good, you’re going to work hard. But the whole session was fun and easy. I appreciated it so much because you don’t hear that every day. And Lonnie Plaxico’s brother comes from that same era, so it felt like I was transported in time–that was the real deal and it’ll get the people feeling good.

NiA: Which is your favorite song from Radiance?

CT: Oh, that’s a hard one! I really liked “It’s a Shame.” When you have projects like this, when you’re pulling out different songs from different eras especially when it’s an iconic song, but you don’t want to abandon your own way of playing, it’s always tricky and fun. It’s fun keeping the respect of what it already is and to be able to appreciate it. And even though I’m the new generation I was able to find my own way of hearing the song; I wasn’t trying to just copy it exactly. I really had a lot of fun on this album and everyone should go and buy it!

Check out Night is Alive’s albums page for the very best in jazz, including Radiance.

Learn more about Camille Thurman at https://www.camillethurmanmusic.com/

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Songs to Listen to this Autumn Equinox

We are often too busy and bustling about in our lives to notice or celebrate the equinoxes as the moments of change and equanimity that they are. There are only two equinoxes each year, in the autumn and spring, and they mark the times when the axis of the Earth is not tilted toward or away from the sun, but rather has equal amounts of daylight and darkness all across the globe. This year, in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox will fall on Monday, September 22nd, and if you’re in the Eastern Time Zone, it will be at exactly 2:19 in the afternoon. So, take a break this equinox and take a moment to listen to this playlist, curated just for you by Night is Alive.

Lorca Hart Trio – Introspection on the 401

The Autumn Equinox is a great time to go on a gratitude walk or conduct a little letting go ritual. Out with the stifling heat of the summer and in with longer nights and cool, fresh thoughts! And this tune, from Night is Alive’s album Colors of Jazz, will offer a great backdrop to your introspective thoughts this September.

2 Degrees East 3 Degrees West – John Di Martino, Wayne Escoffery & Others

Isn’t it wild sometimes to think about how if one thing had happened just slightly differently, our whole life might be completely changed? Maybe just two degrees east or three degrees west is a completely different fate. It’s hard to say. But one thing is for sure, this Autumn Equinox you can enjoy the perfectly equal degrees of daylight and night while listening to this lovely tune from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed & Blue.

WJ3 All-Stars – From This Moment On

From this moment on is a fresh new opportunity, an opportunity to live with more balance and harmony in your life, to have equal parts brightness and darkness, levity and seriousness, activity and quiet. Enjoy this fun-filled song, from Night is Alive’s album Love and Love Songs, while you bask in the sun, journal or simply sit in silence as the sun sets this Equinox.

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

This beautiful rendition of the 1977 hit single will have you tapping your toes while letting go of a past relationship. Maybe you’ve been holding onto a friendship or romantic partner who is no longer serving you; maybe the relationship has been slowly withering away; or maybe you are missing someone today. No matter what, it’s important to have levity during this process, just like the soaring vocals of Janis Siegel in this country jazz album Cryin’ in My Whiskey.

WJ3 All-Stars – Taking a Chance on Love

Clearing away the detritus of past relationships and memories leaves room for new loves to plant, seed and blossom. In fact, the past will act as rich fertilizer for new love to grow in your life. So, like this song from Night is Alive’s album My Ship, says, why not take a chance on love? Go ahead and text your new crush! Or, if you’re not feeling quite so bold, you could at least plant a new flower in your garden!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by yapo zhou on Unsplash

Q&A with Lonnie Plaxico – Part 2

Part Two of Night is Alive’s exclusive interview with Lonnie Plaxico

We’re back with part 2 of our chat with Lonnie Plaxico, whose album Radiance is receiving critical acclaim!

Night is Alive: When did you first become involved with Night is Alive?

Lonnie Plaxico: I got called to play in the session with Christie Dashiell, on the Christmas album. It’s fun, the sessions with Kathy Salem’s label always go well.

NiA: You’ve been a part of many Night is Alive albums. Which one has been your favorite?

LP: All of them. I mean because to me it’s all connected, it’s just another opportunity to make music. I don’t have a favorite, they’re all special.

NiA: Could you tell us more about your album Radiance, which came out last summer?

LP: When I started playing jazz, we had to learn the music of the elders, which was the pop music of their time. So, the music that I’m playing on this CD is for the young musicians. We’re the elders now. For a 16-year-old kid, playing music from the 70s, that’s grandparents’ music. For me, playing jazz was like playing my grandparents music, so for this album I wanted to do some music that my parents know. That made it special for me. Because sometimes we play original music and don’t nobody have a connection to it. So, I wanted to play some songs that the average person can listen to, and think “hey, I know that song,” and have a connection to it. And also, my brother–I got into music through him and he really don’t play jazz, so I was willing to do something that he’s comfortable with, that we grew up having the same musical experience with. The piano player, he grew up with this music too. The singer, Camille, she’s much younger, so it’s like we’re bringing her in to our culture, and what we grew up on, and that’s what all the musicians have always done with the younger musicians. We’re pulling them in, and that’s how we learn from the elders.

NiA: Was there a specific moment that inspired you to create the album?

LP: Well, I’ve always loved 70s music and early 80s music and sometimes I feel like I’m starving to play it, because a lot of young musicians play more original music and I don’t feel they connect to the audience. And I know that when you play something people know, it’s a whole different connection. I wanted to play some music that would connect with the people because when I grew up, musicians loved playing for people. But now, most musicians go to college and just want to play their own original music. And we don’t listen to the radio like we used to, so nobody has hit records, so the music, I feel like it doesn’t connect with the audience. And I grew up in a time when you didn’t write original music, you performed in clubs what you heard on the radio. People didn’t write original music until they got a record deal and it was very hard to get a record deal in the 70s. You had to get “discovered” and until then you played what was on the radio, played strictly for the audience, and I used to love doing that because people knew the music and we made them happy.

Check out Night is Alive’s albums page for the very best in jazz, including Lonnie Plaxico’s Radiance.

Learn more about Lonnie Plaxico at http://www.lonnieplaxico.com/

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

photo from https://www.facebook.com/lonnie.plaxico1

Q&A with Lonnie Plaxico – Part 1

Part One of Night is Alive’s exclusive interview with Lonnie Plaxico

This week we were lucky enough to speak with the extremely talented double bassist, Lonnie Plaxico. You may recognize Lonnie from the five Night is Alive albums he’s featured on: Night is Alive’s First Christmas; Christmas Ain’t Like It Used to Be; Cryin’ in My Whiskey; Old, New, Borrowed and Blue; and most recently, Radiance, the last of which just came out this July! Lonnie also won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and played with countless legendary musicians, including Chet Baker and Hank Jones. Now, let’s hear from Lonnie . . .

Night is Alive: You’ve been playing the double bass since you were twelve years old. What originally drew you to the instrument?

Lonnie Plaxico: I actually started with electric bass, then I got into acoustic bass. The music at that time, the 60s and the 70s was R&B. A friend of mine who played saxophone and knew about jazz started telling me about jazz and John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, acoustic bass. And I got interested around that time. By the time I was 14/16, they had acoustic bass at the high school and that was the first time I touched the acoustic bass.

NiA: Did you fall in love with the acoustic bass and stop with the electric bass?

LP: It was like learning history. Electric bass has a history that no one had told me about when I got one. I didn’t know I was supposed to learn the history of music, you know I was a kid and just heard the music on the radio, but then I realized there was a history. I was naturally curious, like hey where does this stuff come from? I was surprised that people were playing a different kind of music in the 50s. I was a kid and didn’t know, didn’t have a music education that holds you responsible for learning where the rules come from. As the R&B music started changing and going more towards disco and non-instruments, I could tell I really need to learn where this stuff comes from. Studio musicians had to be able to play anything. I was with my family band, and I realized I didn’t see no career in that. I wanted to be able to play with everyone, not just my brothers and sisters, and jazz was a whole ‘nother mystery for me. And I love playing electric bass too, but you just realize there is so much more out there.

NiA: You’ve played with many talented musicians throughout your career, like Chet Baker and Dexter Gordon. What is one of your favorite performance memories?

LP: All of them. I mean because these are people I listened to when I started listening to jazz, so to play with any one of them was like a dream. We recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, and I saw these people on TV when I was just getting into music and I never thought that I’d be performing with them.

NiA: Yeah, it sounds like a dream-come-true! Do you remember which performance was the first one where you really felt like you had to pinch yourself, and couldn’t believe it?

LP: Sonny Stitt when I was 16, in a small club in Robbins, Illinois, a small suburb outside of Chicago. It was not like a regular jazz club. He needed a band and someone asked if we could play behind Sonny Stitt, and I thought it was a joke because you know they were asking us teenagers to back up Sonny Stitt. We said yeah, but we didn’t think Sonny Stitt would show up, but he did, and we played behind him. We were playing the first set and this old guy–probably in his 40s but to us he was this old guy–he came in with his horn, and it was Sonny Stitt. And my brother-in-law–he plays saxophone and was in the band–he took a picture. I didn’t even say hey let me take a picture with Sonny Stitt, so he’s the only one in the picture. It was just one gig but that was the first gig with a legend. Then in Chicago, where I’m from, I played with the elders, all of them basically. And then I got to New York to play with Wynton Marsalis, that was my way to New York, and that lasted me, and then Art Blakey.

Look for the second part of this compelling interview, coming soon! In the meantime, check out Night is Alive’s albums page for the very best in jazz.

Learn more about Lonnie Plaxico at http://www.lonnieplaxico.com/

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

photo from https://www.facebook.com/lonnie.plaxico1

Songs & S’mores

Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash

Bonfire tunes your family and friends will love.

The weather is starting to cool down and the school year is winding back up again, which makes it an ideal time to host a bonfire! Just imagine how nice it would be to put on your favorite worn and cozy hoodie, gather round the fire with friends and family and watch the flames crackle. And of course, no bonfire is complete without some s’mores! So, grab some sticks, marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate, and turn on this playlist.

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

The repetition and cycle of the seasons each year carry a sense of routine and ritual, which reminds me of this song, from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3. Seems to me I’ve heard that song before–the song of autumnal winds rustling the leaves and replacing the stagnancy of humidity and heat; the song of school buses replacing ice cream trucks; a peaceful and relieving darkness descending earlier and earlier each evening.

WJ3 All-Stars – Star Eyes

What is your s’mores style? Do you like to burn your marshmallow and peel back the smoky top layer to reveal mushy goodness inside? Do you like to patiently rotate your marshmallow over the coals until it’s golden and toasty? Or do you simply enjoy a raw, uncooked marshmallow straight from the bag? Well, no matter how you enjoy your marshmallow, I hope you can look at it with stars in your eyes while you listen to this song from Night is Alive’s album My Ship. Making and eating a s’more gives you a chance to be mindful and present and enjoy a simple pleasure in life!

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman & Douglas Plaxico – Mona Lisa

Everyone knows the famous enigmatic painting of Mona Lisa. What does the expression on her face mean? Is she smiling or hiding something? Allow this beautiful new rendition of the 1949 song from Ray Evans and Jay Livingston to transport you back in time to the Renaissance. From the brand new album Radiance, this song can also help to open up conversation around the bonfire–maybe you and your friends could discuss the nature of art and reality? Or maybe someone has a story to share about when they saw the famous painting in person?

Lorca Hart Trio – Ness and His Family

Sitting around the bonfire means storytime, right? While this instrumental song, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude, is playing, why don’t you share a spooky story? Whether it came from your imagination or whether it’s a true story, it’s fun to entertain your friends! Maybe your story is about the Loch Ness monster? Or maybe y’all can do the round robin style of storytelling where each person builds off the previous person’s short piece.

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Looking Back

Making, and munching on, s’mores is a great time to reflect on the past, look back at the summer and make goals for the future. Listen to this tune from Night is Alive’s haunting album Border Widow’s Lament while you share experiences from the past few months. My friends and I sometimes even enjoy sharing our “rose, bud, thorn,” which refers to a positive or successful

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash

Trails, Trekking & Tunes

Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash

Songs to listen to while you hike

Trekking has become all the rage recently, and by trekking I don’t just mean hiking, I mean packing up all your gear–tent, sleeping bag, dehydrated meals–and carrying them on your back through the trails. I actually just went for my first time this past weekend, and it was challenging, but rewarding! Carrying everything you need to survive on your back really makes you feel like a nomadic warrior, and being in the woods for days on end really allows you to immerse yourself in nature. I think the only thing that would make trekking better is a badass playlist that amplifies the vibe. So grab your portable speaker, clip it to the outside of your pack and turn on these tunes to really feel like an explorer!

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

Kick off your adventure with this fast-paced, exciting tune from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3. Allow yourself the freedom to run wild and free through the woods, let your eyes wander and explore all that the wilderness has to offer. Feel the weight of your pack, the strength in your legs and the power in each step forward. You are strong, wild and free, like the piano in this tune!

Lorca Hart Trio – Recluse

Sometimes it can be fun to feel like a little recluse out in the woods, all on your own. Maybe you’re even bold enough for a solitary trek. If so, this song, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude is for you! Enjoy getting away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and the routines of your daily life, and enjoy the solitude of nature, the snazzy musical notes emanating from your speaker and maybe even your soul.

Bill Cunliffe, Martin Wind & Tim Horner – Marching Season

This hauntingly beautiful song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, will remind you of the enchantment and magic that exists in the woods. Allow the hypnotic piano and drums to carry your imagination away into your surroundings–is that a woodland elf hiding behind a tree? Is that a little fairy inside of a blooming flower? What about those eyes up in the leaves?

Lorca Hart Trio – Dew Drop

As you’ve already begun to notice, trekking gives you the perfect opportunity to be mindful and meditative. Take this chance to be present in the moment and appreciate the filigrees of beauty in every step you take forward. Is that a spiderweb? A dew drop on a leaf? Some tracks in the dirt? A little chipmunk? You may also take time to notice the cadence and sound of each lovely note in this song, from Night is Alive’s album Colors of Jazz.

WJ3 All-Stars – Star Eyes

You’ve done it–you’ve arrived at your campsite. Good work and perseverance through the heat and bugs. Now it is time to set up your tent, have a good meal and relax. The sun is beginning to set, and the stars are peeking out in the sky. Sit down, breathe in the fragrant air of nature and gaze up at the stars. Maybe, like this song, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship, you’ll be able to see the stars reflected in your trekking partner’s eyes.

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash