Happy Birthday to Charlie Parker!

Happy Birthday to Charlie Parker!

If Charlie Parker were still alive, he would be turning 106 this August 29th! The American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer was a frontrunner in the development of bebop, which is a style of jazz characterized by advanced harmonies, fast tempos and virtuosic technique. He brought groundbreaking rhythm and harmony into jazz, such as rapid passing chords, chord substitutions and new variants of altered chords. But Parker was more than just a musician, he was an icon for the hipster subculture and Beat Generation, and embodied uncompromising artistry and intellectualism rather than just entertainment.

Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Charles Parker’s father was a pianist, dancer and singer on the Theatre Owners Booking Association circuit. At Catholic school, Parker sang in the choir, and at age 11 he began playing the saxophone. Then at age 14, he joined the Lincoln High School Band, and his mother bought him a new alto saxophone. In 1935, he withdrew from high school to pursue music full-time by joining the local musicians’ union.

Parker went through some hardships–a divorce, drug addiction and car accident that led to three broken ribs and a fractured spine–but he continued developing his sound and working with a pianist and guitarist. In 1939, Parker moved to New York City to pursue his musical career, where, after working part-time jobs to earn a living, Parker finally achieved his musical breakthrough. He developed a new improvisational vocabulary that later became known as “bebop.”

Charlie Parker – Ornithology

Fun fact: Did you know that Charlie Parker was nicknamed “Bird” or “Yardbird” for his legendary love for eating chicken? This 1946 song’s title cleverly makes a reference to this beloved nickname. “Ornithology” showcases contrafact, which is a practice that was developed by Parker and involved writing original melodies over existing jazz forms and standards. In this case, the newly-created melody was written over the standard “How High the Moon.”

Charlie Parker – Now’s the Time

The titular track of the 1956 studio album, “Now’s the Time” is one of Charlie Parker’s most important compositions. The song bridges Parker’s roots in traditional Kansas City blues with the new radical rhythmic language of bebop. The 12-bar blues written in the key of F features a simple but catchy six-note repeating riff. The song also became an anthem for the power and urgency of modern art, with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat famously painting a massive tribute to the vinyl record.

Charlie Parker – Ko-Ko

This 1945 bebop recording begins with a harmonically ambiguous introduction that quickly moves to a B flat major at the start of Parker’s first solo chorus. The harmony becomes based on the chord changes of Ray Noble’s song “Cherokee.” Max Roach’s drum solo ends the transition and the closing echoes the introduction but with an unexpected change. Enjoy this frantic, high-speed masterpiece on Charlie Parker’s birthday!

Can you hear any Parker-inspired music in our own Night is Alive albums? You can listen on our Youtube page or add music from our various albums to your Spotify playlist. And of course, the very best in jazz is always available on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from Charlie Parker’s official website.

Happy Birthday to Wayne Shorter!

Happy Birthday to Wayne Shorter!

This August 25th would have been Wayne Shorter’s 93rd birthday were he still alive. The legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader had a career that spanned more than six decades and included 12 Grammy Awards! Shorter was particularly influential and acclaimed globally for his compositional depth, originality and transformative approach to improvisation.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Shorter began taking clarinet lessons at age 16 and then switched to tenor saxophone. He attended New York University and graduated in 1956 with a degree in music education. After two years in the U.S. Army, Shorter began his musical career by playing with Maynard Ferguson. In 1959, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, which brought him into mainstream prominence. He quickly became the main composer of the ensemble and helped to define its artistic voice.

Shorter then joined Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet in 1964. In 1970, he co-founded the jazz fusion band Weather Report, which reinterpreted the possibilities of electric jazz and achieved international success. Throughout his career as a bandleader, Shorter recorded over twenty albums, many of which became long-lasting jazz standards. The most notable and trademark traits of his music include philosophical depth, harmonic sophistication and narrative structure. Additionally, his mastery of the soprano saxophone was highly admired.

In honor of Wayne Shorter, we put together a few of his most beloved songs for your listening:

Weather Report – The Moors

From The Weather Report’s sophomore 1972 album, this jazz-fusion tune opens with a long solo by Ralph Towner that sounds very unique due to its aggressive, unconventionally detuned 12-string acoustic guitar. After the introductory guitar, the band explodes with a rich, pulsating rhythm. Shorter’s signature soprano saxophone pierces through with memorable melodies. Joe Zawinul’s electric piano creates an energetic, swirling energy.

Weather Report – Sightseeing

This fast-paced, bebop-influenced song almost feels like a workout with its lively, frenetic energy. The stripped-back sound makes it stand out from the other highly synthesized tracks on the album. Shorter’s tenor saxophone is really showcased. His sharp, complex melody plays over a driving swing rhythm. No wonder this 1979 album, 8:30, won a Grammy for the Best Jazz Fusion Performance!

Wayne Shorter – “On the Milky Way Express”

From Wayne Shorter’s 1995 album High Life, this tune blends a steady, infectious funk groove with cinematic orchestration and Shorter’s trademark soaring sax. This album departed from the jazz-fusion works that Shorter had done after leaving Weather Report. In High Life, synthesized instruments were used more subtly and the compositions were seen to be more complex. The album also featured a thirty-piece orchestral ensemble!’

Can you hear any Shorter-inspired music in our own Night is Alive albums? You can listen on our Youtube page or add music from our various albums to your Spotify playlist. And of course, the very best in jazz is always available on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from Wayne Shorter’s Facebook page.

Summer Cookin’: When Jazz Meets Food

Summertime encourages a slightly slower pace of life. Whether you’re a teacher or student on school break, or still working that daily 9-5, the summer contains a more languorous energy than the rest of the year. I don’t know about you, but this unhurried, leisurely vibe gets me into the mood to cook! When I am super busy and overwhelmed, I find cooking to be a drudgery but when I have the time for it, I enjoy preparing a nice meal, especially for my family and friends. To help inspire your creations in the kitchen, we at Night is Alive have made you a playlist of songs that pairs with some specific recipes! So, pour yourself a glass of wine, turn on this music and get out your ingredients . . .

Spinach Kale Crab Avocado Salad | Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & Others – Always On My Mind

Yesterday, I made the most delicious spinach, kale, crab and avocado salad, and I thought it was such a nice light summer meal. Funnily enough, I didn’t use a recipe for the dish but invented it based on the ingredients I had in my fridge. That’s how the best meals emerge sometimes–just by random! I also added some chopped spring onions and cilantro; and wonton chips and salty sunflower seeds. The buttery avocado and soft crab combined with the crispy wontons and crunchy seeds created a wonderful mixture of textures! To pair with this salad, I recommend NiA’s song “Always On My Mind,” from our jazz country western album Cryin’ In My Whiskey,because even after you finish eating, this salad will always be on your mind!

The Healthy Hot Dog | Lonnie Plaxico & Camille Thurman – Can’t Hide Love

Hot dogs are a staple of the American summer diet, but what if we mixed things up a little bit and made them a little healthier and fresher than the standard ketchup and mustard? This August, why not try putting some guacamole or pineapple mango salsa on top of your hot dog? Maybe you could even try using a lettuce or cabbage leaf instead of the typical starchy bun? But no matter how you eat your hot dog, the bottom line is that you can’t hide the love that comes from sharing a summer meal with your friends and family. Turn on this tune, from the funky album Radiance, while you bask in that summer bliss.

Caprese Salad | John Di Martino, Harry Allen & Others – Only The Lonely

Sometimes it can be so lovely to eat a meal by yourself. Solitude doesn’t necessarily have to mean loneliness. There can be great pleasure in silence, particularly when you are mindful of each bite of food you’re eating. We are often in a rush to eat, shower, get ready for the next day and sleep. But it can be so beneficial to slow down and enjoy the process of chopping up some tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, then mixing it all together and topping with some balsamic and olive oil. While you’re cooking, listen to the beautiful crooning vocals of this song, from NiA’s album Call Me Irresponsible.

Salmon & Cucumber Sushi | WJ3 All-Stars – Star Eyes

Sushi may seem like an intimidating food to make, but really it’s not as complicated as it may appear. All that you need is some short-grain white rice, smoked salmon and cucumber; a sushi roller and seaweed paper. Most grocery stores nowadays carry an Asian foods section, so you can easily buy all of these ingredients! Perhaps, if you’re feeling fancy you could get some mirin (sweet rice wine)–just splash a dash into your rice and water before it cooks for an extra special flavor. Cut the cucumbers in long strips, then simply watch a short YouTube video about how to wrap the rolls and you’re done! You’ll have anime eyes, or star eyes, in no time!

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Moment InFocus on Unsplash

“Cool Jazz” for Hot August Days

The temperatures this month may be soaring but that doesn’t mean that you need to be sweaty and overheated. There are plenty of ways to stay cool, both physically andmentally that don’t necessarily involve a sky-rocketing air conditioning bill! For example, did you know that in Japan, instead of trying to cool one’s environment, like we do in the U.S., Japanese people aim to cool their bodies? So, this means that instead of blasting the A/C, Japanese people put cold wet towels around their necks, and wear special undershirts that absorb and ventilate sweat and heat. Pretty neat, right?

Since music is our forte at Night is Alive, we put together a playlist of cool jazz to help you chill out this August. Grab a nice tall glass of ice water, put a cold towel around your neck and kick back in the shade while you beat the heat and enjoy these super chill tunes.

Lonnie Plaxico & Camille Thurman – Free

I don’t know about you, but I feel like the heat affects not only my physical health but also my mental health. When I’m constantly in a hot, sunny, humid environment, my mind starts to feel foggy and hazy. I become lethargic and lazy, and feel like those small tasks on my to-do list are insurmountable. But this song, from the groovy album Radiance, will have you feeling free and radiant. Take it easy on yourself! It’s okay to take a break and cool down. Remember, breaks are important because they refresh and revitalize you to accomplish whatever comes next.

WJ3 All-Stars – Wave

Heat stroke is a real problem that occurs more often than you might think! When you’re dehydrated and spend too much time outside in the heat, sometimes your body is unable to cool itself down. It’s important to take precautions to avoid heat stroke, like avoiding laborious physical labor and exercise during peak temperatures, which often occur in the late afternoons. Instead of going for your daily post-work run, why not have a siesta or do some gentle yoga indoors? You could even listen to this song, from NiA’s album My Ship, to help you unwind and sleep or stretch.

Harry Allen Trio – It’s Sunny in Cape Cod

Maybe sometimes instead of trying to beat the heat, it’s better to just lean in and embrace it. It might always be sunny right now, but the sun is a lot more enjoyable when you’re basking by a pool. This tune, from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, will have you imagining that you’re on a luxury beach retreat in Cape Cod, even if you may only be at the YMCA in your small hometown!

John DiMartino, Joe Magnarelli, Wayne Escoffery, Lonnie Plaxico & Willie Jones III – Hudson River Wind

In this stifling heat, the breeze can truly feel like a godsend. Listen to this song, from NiA’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue while you blast the fan or go for a bike ride that’ll have the wind rippling through your clothes. Remember, loose, lightweight clothes are the way to go when it comes to embracing the breeze, no matter how small it may be.

Janis Siegel, John DiMartino & others – Hard Candy Christmas

Even though it’s not technically Christmas in July anymore, it could be fun to listen to a holiday tune to remind yourself that the heat is only temporary. The summer heat also often makes me want to listen to country music, which makes this jazz country western Christmas song the perfect tune to imagine a snowy, wintery time. From NiA’s album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, “Hard Candy Christmas” would pair well with a sweet peppermint ice cream!

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Ibrahim Rifath on Unsplash

The Making of Cryin’ in My Whiskey

There’s nothing like country music in the summer right? A nice southern drawl, some Americana nostalgia and a little heartbreak in the lyrics certainly gets me feeling some type of way. But have you ever thought about combining country and jazz music together? Jazz Journal’s Valentina Addis writes that such a combination is arguably a risk, but Night is Alive pulled it off with their 2021 album, Cryin’ In My Whiskey.

“Cryin’ In My Whiskey effortlessly amalgamates both genres in a setlist of familiar country favourites,” writes Addis. “Led by Siegel’s powerful vocals, the clear narrative often associated with country music weaves itself throughout the album, creating a great combination of emotions for the listener.”

Cryin’ In My Whiskey, a collection of nine reimagined country favorites, is performed by world-class jazz artists: Janis Siegel (vocals), John di Martino (piano), and Lonnie Plaxico (bass), along with saxophonist Harry Allen, Jesse Lewis (guitar), Ross Pederson (drums), Aaron Heick (flute and saxophone), and Amy Cervini (backup vocals). But who are these artists and what exactly went into the making of this innovating, yet easy listening, album?

Over the past four and a half decades, the voice of Janis Siegel, a nine-time Grammy winner and a seventeen-time Grammy nominee, has been an undeniable force in The Manhattan Transfer’s diverse musical catalog. Alongside her career as a founding member of this musical institution, Siegel has also sustained a solo career that has spawned almost a dozen finely-crafted solo albums and numerous collaborative projects, amassed a large international fan base and garnered consistently high critical praise.

John di Martino is a composer, arranger, jazz pianist, producer and educator, based in New York City. He is described as a “shape-shifter,” for his creativity across musical genres. John composed the music for the documentary series “A Glimpse Of Paradise” (Prospera Medienproduktion), aired on Europe’s Arte Channel, and music for the video games “Batman: The Telltale Series.” John has recorded numerous CDs on the High Note and Venus Records (Japan) labels as a leader, and with Freddy Cole, Gloria Lynn, Houston Person, and Nicki Parrott.

Chicago-born Lonnie Plaxico inherited a gift for music that was discovered and nurtured early. At the age of just fourteen, having already performed alongside several prominent Chicago jazz figures, Plaxico turned professional, playing the electric and acoustic bass with equal facility. He has appeared with such luminaries as Sonny Sitt, Junior Cook, David Murray, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, Abbey Lincoln, and Dizzy Gillespie. He has also recorded five critically acclaimed albums as leader. Lonnie Plaxico’s musicianship is probably best expressed in his masterful integration of different forms — combining the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk into one exhilarating musical experience.

To get a taste of Cryin’ In My Whiskey, here’s a few tracks:

Whenever You Come Around – Janis Siegel, John di Martino, Lonnie Plaxico & others

In the Jazz Journal, Valentina Addis writes that this opening number, a cover of Vince Gill’s 90s country classic, creates a “chilled, laid-back effect.” She also writes that “Siegel’s interpretations throughout the album are no karaoke performance, but rather an accomplishment of stylistic freshness, almost as if the tracks were intended to be interpreted this way.”

Always On My Mind – Janis Siegel, John di Martino, Lonnie Plaxico & others

Valentina Addis of Jazz Journal writes that she was surprised by the decision to include Always On My Mind, since it has an infamous history of interpretations from Willie Nelson to The Pet Shop Boys. But Addis writes, “Once again Siegel’s approach breathes new life into the melody, accompanied by a reduced, subtle accompaniment over characteristically jazzy harmonies and rhythms.”

To see the full setlist and learn more about Cryin’ In My Whiskey, see the album page here. And to learn more about Janis Siegel, see this Q&A we did with her back in 2021, and also this Q&A too!

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Fourth of July Fun!

The Fourth of July weekend is here! What are your plans? This year is the big 250th anniversary, so I bet the festivities are going to be pretty wild. Are you going to a pool party? A cook-out? Lakehouse? Are you watching fireworks? Roasting marshmallows around a fire? Drinking some cold ones at a brewery? No matter what your plans are, Night is Alive has got you covered with a playlist of songs that emanate red, white and blue.

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman – Free

This groovy song, from the album Radiance, showcases Thurman’s stellar vocals and Plaxico’s cool double bass. The funky effervescent vibe is perfect for sipping a cocktail while lounging next to a pool. Or maybe you’re floating around on a tube inside the shimmering blue waters of the pool. Relax and celebrate freedom!

Harry Allen Trio – It’s Sunny in Cape Cod

It’s been extremely hot and sunny lately, but instead of lamenting about it, why not lean into it and enjoy it? I don’t know about you, but temperatures in the 80s, 90s and 100s make my body feel slower and more lethargic, which can be a wonderful thing on the weekends. Ease into the heat with this lovely tune from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3. The smooth piano of Rossano Sportiello will naturally help your mind and body unwind.

Aretha Franklin – Spirit in the Dark

The titular song of her seventeenth studio album, this 1970 tune will get you up and dancing in no time! Franklin wrote this song herself and it reflects her experience as an artist of embracing her independence. Cast aside your inhibitions and experience the sheer joy of letting go. Who cares who’s watching? Let your spirit soar!

Lorca Hart Trio – A Time for Love

The Fourth of July is a time for love. It’s a time to honor and celebrate the love you have for your family, friends and country. It’s a time to remind yourself that the greatest thing we have in this life is the experience of loving and being loved. From Night is Alive’s album Inspiration & Gratitude, this song will help you to be grateful for all the love you have in your life.

Janis Siegel and John Di Martino – Always on My Mind

This jazzy rendition of Willie Nelson’s beloved 1982 country classic is perfect listening for a laid-back barbecue with family. Imagine the sun is setting, it’s golden hour, but the fireworks won’t be for a few more hours. The cooking is done, the kitchen is cleaned up and now you can sit down with a nice gold glass of your favorite beverage and transition into the night. For more jazzy twists of country classics, check out Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ in My Whiskey.

Happy 4th of July from the Night is Alive family to you!

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash

Golden Hour Bossa Nova Jazz

Golden hour is a term usually used in photography to describe the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, when daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is high up in the sky. Cinematographers and photographers also sometimes call this time the magic hour because the brightness of the sky matches the streetlights, signs, car headlights and lit windows!

I don’t know about you, but for some reason the golden or magic hour just calls for some bossa nova jazz, especially right before sunset. There’s nothing like driving home after a long workday, watching the red sun soak the scenery in gold, and letting some smooth bossa nova wash over you.

Bossa nova is a relaxed style of Brazilian samba that originated in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Rio de Janeiro. Bossa nova is essentially a simplification and stylization on the guitar of the rhythm produced by a samba school band: it is calm, syncopated with chords and fingerstyles that mimic the beat of a samba groove. The complex chords in bossa nova were not derived from jazz, but the two styles evolved at the same time, and bossa nova was influenced by jazz in the harmonies used and instrumentation of songs. Nowadays, many bossa nova songs are considered jazz standards!

Now let’s listen to a few bossa nova standards to help you unwind and ease into the golden hour:

João Gilberto – Chega de Saudade

This little song made big waves in the Brazilian school of music. Released in April 1959, “Chega de Saudade” was the first composition to showcase Gilberto’s new guitar beat that gave rise to the bossa nova genre. The tune’s harmonies are also particularly sophisticated and the lyrics are elegant.

Stan Getz & João Gilberto – Desafinado

Music historians cite “Desafinado,” released in 1959, as the first official bossa nova. This song was originally composed in response to critics that claimed bossa nova was a genre for singers who can’t actually sing. In Portuguese, “desafinado” means “out of tune” which is meant to mock the criticism. English-language adaptations then emerged that reframe the title as a love song about lovers who have fallen “slightly out of tune.”

Antônio Carlos Jobim & Frank Sinatra – The Girl from Ipanema

“The Girl from Ipanema” is probably one of the most well-known bossa nova songs. With Jobim and Sinatra singing together, the song really represents the fusion of Brazilian bossa nova and American jazz. It became a worldwide hit in the mid-1960s and won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965.

Manhã de Carnaval – Elizeth Cardoso

“Manhã de Carnaval,” often also referred to as “Black Orpheus” appeared in the 1959 Portuguese-language film Orfeu Negro, which was a romantic tragedy based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice but set in a contemporary favela in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. Versions of the song are sung or hummed by the two main characters, which makes it the main musical theme of the film. It was one of the first Bossa Nova compositions to gain popularity outside Brazil, especially in France and the U.S.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Pearse O’Halloran on Unsplash

Chicago Blues Festival

The sun is shining, there is a lightness in the air and kids are celebrating the end of the school year with field day. You know what that means: it’s officially summer! Summer is the season to get outside, spend time with family and friends, and listen to great music. So, why not check out the Chicago Blues Festival? This wonderful festival will combine all the greatest things about summer to create an experience that you’ll cherish forever.

The Chicago Blues Festival will run from Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7 at Ramova Theatre and Millennium Park. That means five days of music and discussion panels to tantalise the senses and nourish the soul! And did you know that entry to the festival is completely free? I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true–the Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free Blues festival in the entire world. Some of the highlights this year include Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, John Primer and Willie Clayton. To browse the full daily schedule, see this link.

If you can’t attend the festival but still want to enjoy some blues music, check out WDCB-FM’s live radio broadcasts that will celebrate the Chicago Blues Festival. These will be held monthly on Bluesday Tuesday and June 4 at noon.

Now to help you decide which musicians to see, Night is Alive will showcase a few of the performers, along with the time and location of their shows:

John Primer

Three-time-Grammy-nominee John Primer will perform on Thursday, June 4 from 7:15-8:30 in the Ramova Theatre. Originally from Mississippi, John Primer is a singer and guitar player known for his role in helping to create the sound and style of the Chicago Blues.

Freddie Dixon Blues Band

The Freddie Dixon Blues Band is a unique blues group that features a violinist and blends the genres of Blues and classical music to offer an unparalleled musical experience. They will be playing on Friday, June 5 from 6:30-7:45 in Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade) of Millennium Park.

Gerry Hundt Trio

This is another fusion group that mixes Chicago Blues, Surf, Rock, Country and Jazz to produce an unforgettable performance that is tailored to each venue. This trio has performed across Europe and the U.S. If you enjoy Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and/or Chris Stapleton, then this is the show for you! The Gerry Hundt Trio performs on Saturday, June 6 from 5-6:15 in Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade).

Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band

The legendary octogenarian Taj Mahal and his three-decade collaborators have made a name for themselves as two-time-Grammy-award-winners with their albums Senor Blues (1997) and Shoutin’ in Key (2000). Now they are taking the stage at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Sunday, June 7 from 7:45-9pm. I’m sure their rich sound and rhythmic synergy will provide an electrifying show you won’t want to miss!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash

The Centennial Spotlight: Miles Davis at 100

Did you know that if Miles Davis was still alive, he would be turning 100 this year? Imagine that–I wonder what else the trumpeter, bandleader and composer would’ve accomplished had he lived for another 30 years? Davis was the frontrunner of countless stylistic developments, such as bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, third stream, modal jazz, avant-garde jazz and jazz fusion. His legacy even extended into other genres like rock, funk, classical and hip-hop. It’s safe to say that without Davis, the American music landscape would be entirely different today. In honor of his birthday on May 26th, Night is Alive wants to shine a spotlight on the legendary Miles Davis by showcasing five of his most signature tracks!

So What

If “cool” had a sound, this would be it. Released in 1959 on the legendary Kind of Blue album, this track is the ultimate vibe. Instead of a million complicated notes, Miles uses “modal jazz,” which is just a fancy way of saying he gives the melody room to breathe. The famous bass line feels like a casual shrug, and Miles’s trumpet enters like he’s leaning against a streetlamp at midnight.

Summertime

You might know this melody from various pop or theater covers, but Miles turns this lullaby into something hauntingly beautiful. Working with arranger Gil Evans, he uses a Harmon mute—that little metal plug in the end of his trumpet—to create a whispering sound that became his trademark. This 1959 track is delicate, a little bit lonely, and incredibly lush. It feels like watching a sunset over a hazy city skyline; it’s proof that jazz can be just as cinematic as any big-budget movie score.

Milestones

Ready to pick up the pace? “Milestones” is where things get snappy. This 1958 track shows off Miles’s incredible ability to lead a band that moves like a single machine. It’s got a driving, upbeat energy that makes you want to tap your steering wheel. This was a turning point where Miles started moving away from the frantic “bebop” style and toward something more streamlined and modern. It’s sophisticated but punchy, capturing the buzzing energy of a 1950s New York City street corner.

Blue in Green

This is the track for a rainy night and a warm drink. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever recorded. This 1959 song doesn’t have a traditional “hook,” instead, it circulates and flows like a water color painting. The mood is deeply introspective. Miles wasn’t just playing notes; he was sharing a feeling. It’s short, sweet, and carries an emotional weight that stays with you long after the final note fades into silence.

Spanish Key

Fast forward to 1970, and Miles decided to plug in his instruments and turn up the volume. “Spanish Key” is a funky, swirling psychedelic trip. It blends jazz with the heavy electric grooves of rock and funk. If the earlier tracks were a tailored suit, this is a leather jacket and sunglasses. It’s dense, rhythmic, and a little bit wild, proving that even as he got older, Miles was always the youngest, most forward-thinking person in the room.

Which Miles Davis song was your favorite and why? Feel free to share notes with friends to gain a deeper understanding of this legend!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from https://www.milesdavis.com/music/releases/, the official Miles Davis website.

Jazz for the Kentucky Derby

Did you know that the Kentucky Derby actually refers to a single race held on the first Saturday in May? This race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, which is a series of horse races for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Preceded by the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival, the race is also known as “The Run for the Roses” since the winning horse is draped in a blanket of 400 roses. The race lasts approximately two minutes, which earned it the alternate name of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

The real question is though: what kind of music do people listen to at the Kentucky Derby? Since the Derby has run since 1875, it is synonymous with tradition and thus features the iconic tune “My Old Kentucky Home.” The 1852 composition is usually performed by the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers while horses parade. Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home / ‘Tis summer, the people are gay / The corn tops rise and the meadows all in bloom / While the birds make sweet music all the day.

In more recent years, the Derby playlist has come to feature a mix of traditional folk and country music, as well as pop and party tunes. Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Chappell Roan have become popular artists.

But what about jazz? What if you want to listen to jazz while you get ready for the Derby or watch the races at home? No worries, Night is Alive has got you covered with some folksy jazz tunes that’ll get you in the mood to cheer and yell “giddy-up!”

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

This groovy rendition of Vince Gill’s 1994 country ballad will have you singing along while you pick out the most perfect wide-brimmed Southern Belle hat to wear. From Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, this song captures that feeling of first infatuation, of being smitten, having a crush. Who knows, maybe your crush will be at the Derby festivities today? Whenever you come around / I get weak in the knees and I lose my breath . . .

“The In Crowd” – Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr.

Doesn’t getting all dolled up for the Kentucky Derby really make you feel like part of the “in crowd”? It’s so nice to feel like you belong somewhere, belong to a community, to an event. So while you’re rejoicing and cherishing these bonds with others, enjoy this upbeat tune from the hot new album Radiance. There’s no better way to feel like a part of the “in crowd” than dancing together as a group.

“Broadway” – WJ3 All-Stars

There is something about the pomp and circumstance of the Kentucky Derby that feels truly theatrical. The tradition, ceremony, extravagance and splendor evoke a Broadway production. Imagine that–a Kentucky Derby musical! Hey, it’s not a bad idea, is it? This year at the Derby, let’s embrace the drama of it all with this tune from Night is Alive’s album My Ship.

“Imagination” – John Di Martino, Harry Allen and others

More is more at the Kentucky Derby, so don’t hold back! Be as imaginative, creative and full of life as you want. Have that extra mint julep if you want, take that extra photo with your bestie, and eat that extra bourbon ball! Why not? And while you live life to the fullest, enjoy this song from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible.

Visit Night is Alive’s albums page to explore this music and more.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Katee Lue on Unsplash