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

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

The new year is a wonderful time to slow down, reflect and renew after the business of the holiday season. Compared to December, January is subdued and quiet, like the calm after the storm of the social season. Lean into that calm with this playlist of slow jazz. Maybe you can listen to it while you journal and reflect on 2025. Or maybe you can play it in the background while you do some nice restorative and restful stretches. Either way, these curated songs are meant to help you relax and ease into the new year.

Harry Allen Trio – Each and Every Yesterday

Let the slow buttery saxophone of Harry Allen help your body and muscles unwind. From Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, this easeful song can provide an excellent backdrop for reflection. Think about each and every yesterday . . . what have you accomplished in 2025 that makes you proud? Which areas could still use some growth?

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner and Martin Wind – Looking Back

Brew yourself a nice warm mug of tea or coffee and watch the steam curl up from the glass while you listen to this lovely song. From Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, this piece gives you an opportunity to look back. Looking back is an important part of life because without it we wouldn’t gain any insight into our patterns and behaviors.

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

When setting goals and manifesting for the future it’s okay to shoot for the stars. The famous saying goes, “shoot for the moon because even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” So why not aim high for 2026? Be bold in your resolutions! Listen to this playful tune, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible while you craft a dream board for 2026.

WJ3 All-Stars – Taking A Chance On Love

Maybe this will be the year that you wear your heart on your sleeve and let yourself take a chance on love. Maybe you’ll let yourself be more open to romantic possibilities. Or if you’re already in a relationship, maybe you and your partner can work on being more spontaneous and whimsical! Either way, let this song, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship, inspire your love life in 2026.

Lorca Hart Trio – Let Me in Your Life

This beautiful ballad, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude, really captures the raw emotion of loving someone and the strong desire to be a part of that person’s life. Who do you want to be closer with in 2026? Which relationships do you want to cultivate? What kind of friendships are most valuable to you?

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

Did you know that A Charlie Brown Christmas is the second jazz album ever to reach Platinum five times? Over 4 million copies of the album have been purchased, and it has been streamed 1.14 billion times. Yet, surprisingly, in 1965, when the Charlie Brown Christmas TV special aired, executives were sure the music was going to flop!

Television producer Lee Mendelson was looking for music for a documentary about Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. He was driving across the Golden Gate Bridge when he heard a song on the radio by San Francisco jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. Mendelson loved the lilting quality of the music and cold-called Guaraldi. A few weeks later, Guaraldi sent him a demo of a new song called “Linus and Lucy,” which has since become the theme for all of Peanuts.

The documentary about Charles M. Schulz never actually aired, but in 1965, Coca-Cola commissioned a Christmas special and Guaraldi was brought back to expand his jazz score. Mendelson and Guaraldi only had a few weeks to get this special together. They wanted the singing to sound unpolished, like a real group of neighborhood children, so they hired a children’s choir from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to sing and rewarded them with ice cream. The kids weren’t professional singers, so their imperfect, slightly off-key, natural delivery gave the album its nostalgic charm.

When CBS executives finally saw the finished special just days before its premiere, they were less than impressed. They thought the jazz score was too “adult” and “sophisticated” for a kids’ cartoon; the pacing too slow and melancholic; and they disliked the fact that actual children were used instead of professional adult actors mimicking kids. One executive is quoted to have said, “we’ll air it once and that’ll be all.”

Surprise, surprise–when the special aired on December 9, 1965, it was a massive hit! Nearly half of the entire American viewing audience tuned in to watch and critics raved about the soundtrack, which became an instant classic. Those executives surely owed Mendelson and Guaraldi an apology! Now for a few songs from the album, including one from Night is Alive . . .

Christmas Time is Here

This tune was originally meant to be instrumental, but television producer Lee Mendelson thought it needed lyrics. He and Guaraldi only had a few weeks to make the soundtrack though and Mendelson couldn’t find a lyricist on such short notice. So, what did he do? He ended up sitting down by himself and wrote the words in about 15 minutes!

Bill Cunliffe Trio – Linus and Lucy

As previously mentioned, “Linus and Lucy” was composed by Vince Guaraldi and became the signature song of the Peanuts. Naturally, over the years, many new renditions of this famous song have been recorded and Night is Alive is no exception. In our lovely album Christmas in the Dog House, the Bill Cunliffe Trio adds some zest, spunk and swing to the holiday staple. Other songs on the album include “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” To learn more, check out Christmas in the Dog House and our many other Christmas albums in our online shop. They make the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite jazz enthusiast!

Check out the Bill Cunliffe Trio’s album “Christmas in the Dog House” and Night is Alive’s other holiday albums at https://nightisalive.com/product-category/christmas/.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Did you know that many of our most beloved holiday jazz standards were actually created by Jewish composers? You probably never noticed it, but many of these tunes, such as ‘White Christmas,’ have relatively secular lyrics that capture the spirit of the season, which make them inclusive for people of all religions. So, whether you’re Jewish or Christian, agnostic or atheist, here are some lovely songs that everyone can enjoy this holiday season!

Mel Tormé & Robert Wells – The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

I don’t know about you but when I was a kid this was one of my most favorite holiday songs. My parents had a CD with this song as the very first track, which always filled our car with cheer as we drove through the snowy streets. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire / Jack Frost nipping at your nose / Yuletide carols being sung by the fire . . .

Little did I know that the composer and vocalist Tormé, nicknamed “The Velvet Fog,” was the child of Jewish immigrants from Brest (now Belarus) and grew up singing Jewish songs and celebrating Hanukkah with his parents and younger sister in Chicago. The lyricist Robert Wells was also born to a Jewish family in Raymond, Washington in 1922.

Irving Berlin – White Christmas

Berlin is a well-known Russian-born Jewish composer who received an Academy Award, a Grammy Award as well as a Tony Award. But did you know that his melancholic and nostalgic song “White Christmas” was actually inspired by real life events?

Irving and his wife Elin suffered a terrible loss when their infant son, Irving Berlin Jr. died on Christmas Day in 1928, just weeks after he was born. For years afterwards, the holiday brought sadness to the family, which is believed to be the inspiration behind the wistful tune. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas / Just like the ones I used to know / Where those treetops glisten and children listen / To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow.

Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Once upon a time, composer Jule Styne, who was born to a Jewish family in London, and lyricist Sammy Cahn, who was born to a Jewish family in Manhattan, were hanging out in Hollywood. It was July 1945 and an intense heat wave was scorching the city. Cahn asked Styne to go down to the beach and cool off, but Styne suggested that they write a winter song together instead. And ta-da, the jazz standard that transports listeners into a cozy, snowy scene was born!

Jay Livingston & Ray Evans – Silver Bells

In 1951, Livingston, a composer born to Jewish parents in Pennsylvania, and Evans, a lyricist born to a Jewish family in New York, were tasked with writing a Christmas song for a Paramount Pictures movie. The movie was a comedy called The Lemon Drop Kid and was about a man raising money for a gambling debt by setting up friends as street-corner Santas ringing bells.

At first, Livingston and Evans were enthusiastic, but eventually they were inspired by the sound of a small bell that sat on the desk they shared in their office. It reminded them of the Santa and Salvation Army bell ringers on the NYC streets. Before they knew it they were writing a new Christmas hit, and one of the first to focus on the spirit of the city rather than a small town or countryside. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks / Dressed in holiday style . . .

Felix Bernard – Winter Wonderland This tune’s bright, bouncy melody obscures the fact that its origin story is in fact quite sad. The lyricist, Richard B. Smith, was sitting in a sanitarium receiving treatment for tuberculosis when looked out the window and saw children playing in the snow. This winter wonderland scene reminded him of his childhood in Pennsylvania. So, to mentally transport himself out of the hospital, he penned a poem about a carefree day walking in a winter wonderland. Smith then partnered with his friend Felix Bernard, who was a successful Jewish songwriter and vaudeville pianist from Brooklyn, to create the charming tune we know today.

You can hear some of these tunes and more in Night is Alive’s holiday album collection! Visit https://nightisalive.com/product-category/christmas/ to find the perfect music for your next party, or even just to play while sipping cocoa by the fire.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Michelle Kraemer on Unsplash

Usually the zoo is so hot and crowded, it can be a bit unbearable, but with this cold snap in the air, I’m feeling pretty zesty, energetic and motivated! I bet the animals are feeling it too, which makes it a perfect time to go and appreciate the diverse and incredible creatures around us. This playlist is for all those who are feeling that extra pep in their step and want to keep the energy levels high as you drive to the zoo. It’s filled with cool, swinging jazz to match the playful energy of the penguins, the chill vibe of the sloths, and the majestic rhythm of the lions. So put on your walking shoes, grab your binoculars, and get ready to add a little extra zest to your zoo adventure.

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman & others – Sideshow

From the brand new album, Radiance, this peaceful song will get you ready for all the sights and shows you’ll see in the animal kingdom. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re at the zoo because while everyone is watching the lion yawn, there may also be a hummingbird hiding in the flowers! Be mindful and present to catch a glimpse of the little sideshows of life.

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

At the zoo it’s hard to tell sometimes who is running the most wild–is it the peacocks, monkeys or the little children spectators eager to see every fantastical creature? This tune, from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3 will make you want to run wild, like a cheetah. But make sure to watch your step as you explore the many wonders of the zoo, and let the children go first and get the best view at the front, by the glass!

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Little Bird

This whimsical, light-hearted song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, will have you flitting around the zoo like a little bird! But did you know that modern birds are the direct descendents of dinosaurs? Yes, it’s true! So while you observe the cuteness of those cranes, eagles and flamingoes, be sure to also pay attention to their claws, wingspan and stance. Once you see the dinosaurs in those little birds, they may not seem so little anymore . . .

John Di Martino & others – Imagination

While strolling at the zoo why not let your imagination run wild? You could imagine that the snake is whispering to you, like in Harry Potter; or that the hyenas are laughing at the man who just dropped his ice cream cone! Or maybe the tortoise is a wise old professor and the croaking frog is his student? Who knows! The sky is the limit, and this lovely song, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible will indulge your greatest whimsies.

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

Alas, like all good things, your zoo adventure must come to an end. I bet you feel like a little kid being pulled away by his parents from all the fun and excitement. Maybe you’re even standing by the window of your favorite animal waving goodbye? Let this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament wash over you while you make your final rounds to all your furry and scaled friends.

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Daniel Dvorský on Unsplash

Have you ever been to a Ren Faire? With costumes like peasant skirts, breeches, elf ears and battle swords; the sumptuous fare of turkey legs and mead; and the many exciting activities, like jousting and fortune-telling, the Ren Faire really is an imaginative playscape for adults! Of course at the Ren Faire, folk music is also usually performed, but what if you’re more of a jazz fan? What if you want something a little more snazzy to listen to while you get dressed and drive to the Ren Faire? Don’t worry, Night is Alive has got you covered with a playlist of enchanting jazz great for a Renaissance Festival!

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

Tim Horner’s haunting bass in the titular song of Night is Alive’s album will hypnotize you just like a wise woman’s palm reading at the Ren Faire. Is that your life line? It’s looking very long, which is a good sign, but then it is intersected at the end there by another line . . . What could it mean? Does it mean the border widow has a lament with you?

Lonnie Plaxico, Douglas Plaxico, Camille Thurman & Lafayette Harris Jr. – Mona Lisa

Oh, Mona Lisa–the famous enigmatic woman in the Da Vinci painting from the flourishing Italian Renaissance. Is she smirking or is it an optical illusion? What is she hiding behind that expression? This song, from the new album Radiance, captures the captivating mystery of Mona Lisa. The winding piano touches on every note of the famous artwork and the secrets she’s hiding.

Lorca Hart Trio – Discoveries

This song, from Night is Alive’s beloved Colors of Jazz album, portrays the beauty of learning and discovery. From the archery contest to the fire-breather, from the knife-thrower to the witch’s cauldron, there are ample discoveries to be made at the Ren Faire! Let your spirits and imaginations run wild while you wander around. Strike up a conversation with the performers and historical reenactors to discover something new.

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

With fairy and elf magic in the air, the Renaissance Festival may just be one of the most romantic places to fall in love. Maybe you’re single and haven’t always been lucky in love, but I encourage you to wear your heart on your chemise sleeve on this beautiful, fair day! Listen to this smooth jazz song, from Night is Alive’s album Lover and Love Songs, to lift your spirits and open yourself to new possibilities!

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Slangelang

All the herbs and spices, meads and beers, sunshine and smoke of the Renaissance Fair may make you feel like you’ve entered a whole new world. When it’s all said and done, these memories will drift away into dreams, just like this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament.

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash

“We balance each other out,” says bassist Richie Goods, referring to his partner, the charismatic Taiwanese vibraphonist, percussionist and composer Chien Chien Lu. “We both want each other to be happy and feel good about the music that we’re producing.”

Chien Chien Lu is a vibraphonist, contemporary percussionist, and composer whose Taiwanese upbringing, classical music education, and passion for R&B grooves crystallize into a fresh and distinctive approach to contemporary jazz. Lu’s fierce authenticity and jazz mastery shine bright on her September 2020 debut solo project, The Path, which spent 20 weeks on the Jazz Week Charts Top 20, earned Best Jazz Songs in Golden Indie Music Awards and three Golden Melody Awards nominations, four Golden Indie Music Awards nominations and led to Lu’s being named the “vibraphone rising star” in Downbeat Magazine’s 69th Annual Critics Poll.

NY bassist Richie Goods, one of the most versatile and accomplished bass players on the scene today and the youngest person ever inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame, came to prominence while touring and recording with the late Mulgrew Miller and credits him for much of his success. Richie went on to make a name for himself through recording and touring with a variety of jazz and popular artists including Sting, The Headhunters, Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, Lenny White, Milt Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Christina Aguilera. His lengthy discography also includes Grammy award-winning and platinum albums of Alicia Keys and Common.

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