Uncategorized – Night is Alive

Reflect + Renew with Slow Jazz

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

The History of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” soundtrack

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

The Jewish Composers Who Wrote Your Favorite (Secular) Christmas Jazz Standards

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

Songs for a Zesty Zoo Day

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

Enchanting Jazz for a Renaissance Festival

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

Q&A with David Basse from Kansas City Radio – Part 2

Welcome to part two of Night is Alive’s interview with the legendary David Basse!

NiA: How did you get into singing?

DB: I graduated from high school when I was 17 and two weeks later, a band came through town and they happened to need a drummer and they were going on to Colorado and other places. So, I joined the band and left, and as we were driving away, the bandleader asked if I could sing and I said no. The band leader said, well that’s too bad because I would give you more money if you sang. He suggested I sing without a microphone and see if I could find a part to sing harmony and just get comfortable singing from the drums. So, I’m more comfortable singing from the drums than without the drums. I guess I’m equally comfortable now, after many, many years.

NiA: When did you decide to become a bandleader?

DB: I decided to be a bandleader in 1980. So I stopped playing what somebody else wanted to play and I started playing the music I loved, which was a mixture of jazz and blues–the music of Kansas City is what really drew me in. In the first two years I was on the road I went to all the places I wanted to go and I hadn’t found one that stuck–I went to Nashville, New Orleans, LA, New York–and I didn’t know about Kansas City. Then somebody in Iowa said, “you know, you ought to go to Kansas City, here’s the number of an agent.” And when I came here, I found that you can make a living on music in Kansas City and there are a lot of people doing it and it’s not that difficult. So, I was playing as many as nine gigs a week, playing seven nights and taking a couple of matinees and going to jam sessions and it was just great.

NiA: Wow, that’s incredible–it sounds like you really found where you belong, found your home.

DB: Yeah, I think I did. You know, about ten years ago I was talking to John Clayton–the bassist with Diana Krall and the Hollywood Bowl, a prominent musician–and I was having dinner with him, and I told him I was so impressed by his career and all the things he’s done, and he said, “you know, you have a place too–you’re our guy in Kansas City, so don’t be too impressed with me, just be you.” And I was very taken by that.

NiA: What was it like being a part of the City Light Orchestra?

DB: In 1980 when I became a bandleader there was a vocalist named Priscilla Bowman and she had a hit record called “Keep Your Hands Off Him, He Don’t Belong To You,” so it’s blues and it was a million-seller hit. I was going to my tenth high school reunion and a trumpeter said, we got this gig tonight–you should come and play drums with Priscilla Bowman, and I did. Then towards the end of the second set, she said she was going to go home, she was tired, so the club owner said to me, I heard you’re a vocalist, can you sing in the last set? And I said sure, so I sang some songs and after the set, he asked, what would you call this band? And I said I’d call it the City Light Orchestra. He asked, why orchestra? Why not the City Light Band because we’re the City Light Jazz Club. I said no, ‘orchestra’ sounds better, so that’s what we named it. And one thing led to another and we played there for seven nights, five nights a week.

NiA: What are some of your most memorable moments and experiences from being the bandleader of the City Light Orchestra?

DB: We got to go to New York. The editor of the newspaper here had been married in a nightclub on Upper East Side, 91st and 2nd avenue, and the club had just piano players, some of the exceptional piano players there, and this editor got us a gig for two weeks. So, the first time we went to New York we played for two weeks in a nightclub and that was phenomenal. We got to meet a lot of cool people, like Benny Goodman, Southside Johnny. To think of it now–to go to New York and play two weeks in a nightclub, twelve nights in a row with a Sunday off. That’s not really possible anymore unless you’re somebody of great stature. We were just a bar band.

NiA: It sounds like a dream!

DB: Yeah, it seems like a dream to me too.

To be continued in part three… In the meantime, check out Night is Alive’s albums page for the very best in jazz.

Learn more about David Basse at davidbasse.com

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

photo from facebook.com/davidbassejazz/

Connected – Richie Goods & Chein Chein Lu at the Carlyle Room in D.C November 10th!

“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.

Tickets | Carlyle Room

Decoding Musical Notation: Unveiling the Meaning of Different Notes

(Featured Image: Dayne Topkin on Unsplash )

Music, the universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, has the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and bring people together. At the heart of this intricate art lies musical notation, a system of symbols that conveys melodies, rhythms, and harmonies to musicians. Among these symbols, notes stand as the fundamental building blocks of music. Each note carries a distinct meaning, and understanding their significance is essential for any aspiring musician or curious listener. In this blog, we’ll embark on a journey to decode the meanings behind the different notes in musical notation.

The Basics: Pitch and Duration

Before delving into the specifics of individual notes, it’s crucial to grasp two fundamental aspects of music that notes encapsulate: pitch and duration.

1. Pitch: Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of a musical sound. In notation, this is represented vertically on a set of five parallel lines called a staff. Notes placed higher on the staff indicate higher pitches, while notes positioned lower represent lower pitches.

1. Duration: Duration refers to the length of time a note is held or played. It’s symbolized by various note shapes and their associated stems and flags.

Understanding Note Values

In musical notation, different note shapes represent distinct note values, indicating the duration of each note. Here are some of the most common note values and their meanings:

1. Whole Note: A circular note head without a stem. It represents the longest duration among note values. When played, it’s typically held for four beats in 4/4 time signature, the most common time signature.

1. Half Note: A note head with a stem pointing upward or downward. It’s held for two beats in 4/4 time signature.

1. Quarter Note: Similar to a half note, but with a filled-in note head. It’s played for one beat in 4/4 time signature.

1. Eighth Note: An eighth note has a filled-in note head and a flag attached to its stem. It’s played for half a beat in 4/4 time signature.

1. Sixteenth Note: With two flags attached to the stem, a sixteenth note is played for one-fourth of a beat in 4/4 time signature.

1. Thirty-Second Note: This note has three flags attached to its stem and is played for one-eighth of a beat in 4/4 time signature.

Combining Notes: Understanding Rhythmic Patterns

Once you’re familiar with individual note values, the next step is to comprehend how they combine to create rhythmic patterns. Rests, symbols representing periods of silence, are also essential to understand rhythm. Here are some common combinations:

1. Ties: Ties connect two or more notes of the same pitch, indicating that they are held for a combined duration.

1. Dotted Notes: A dot placed after a note increases its duration by half. For instance, a dotted half note is equivalent to three beats in 4/4 time.

1. Triplets: Triplets divide a beat into three equal parts. Three triplet eighth notes, for example, would be played in the time normally occupied by two regular eighth notes.

The Last Word

(Songs for Ganda, by the Lorca Hart Trio, is a masterpiece of Jazz notation in action)

In the world of music, notes serve as the bridge between the composer’s imagination and the performer’s rendition. By understanding the meanings behind different notes in musical notation, you gain the ability to read, interpret, and bring to life the intricate melodies and rhythms that have shaped human expression for centuries. Whether you’re a musician or an appreciative listener, delving into the world of musical notation opens up a new dimension of understanding and enjoyment, enriching your musical experience. So next time you hear a beautiful melody, remember that the notes are like the words of a language that speaks directly to our hearts and souls.

John Philip Sousa and Patriotic Jazz Music

John Philip Sousa was a prolific composer of military marches and many other musical works. He earned the moniker, “The March King, because he composed over 130 marches. Perhaps his best-known works are “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Washington Post March.” He also composed “Semper Fidelis,” the official march of the U.S. Marine Corps. You might not know that he also composed operettas, dances, orchestral suites, and overtures.

Sousa was born on November 6, 1854, in Washington, D.C. His father, Antonio, was a musician in the Marine Band. John Philip Sousa studied violin, piano, and brass instruments, and became a young apprentice with the Marine Band until he was 20 years old. For a time, he toured with theatrical orchestras and moved to Philadelphia, where he worked as a composer, arranger, and proofreader for a music publishing companies. Sousa returned to the Marine Corp and served as the 17^th director of the Marine Band from 1880 to 1892. Under his leadership, the band attained new levels of excellence and popularity. Sousa played a role in the development of the sousaphone, as he sought a brass instrument similar to a tuba but was easier to play during parades.

John Philip Sousa went on to lead a civilian band after he left the Marine Corps. The band toured throughout the U.S. and Europe in the years leading up to World War I and helped to popularize ragtime in Europe. At age 62, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves after the United States declared war on Germany. Sousa was placed in charge of the band-training center at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois.

Sousa’s compositions are often performed at celebrations during national holidays. “The Stars and Stripes Forever” was designated as the official march of the U.S. in 1987.

The U.S. Marine Band, known as the President’s Own, is currently celebrating its 225^th anniversary as the oldest continuously active professional music organization in the U.S. The Marine Corps also has a jazz orchestra featuring Marines from bands in San Diego and New Orleans.

The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force. It was formed in 1950 to maintain the tradition of Major Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band. The Airmen of Note perform big band music and contemporary jazz pieces throughout the world. The Jazz Ambassadors are the premier touring jazz band of the U.S. Army. This 19-piece ensemble performs jazz standards, patriotic music, and contemporary jazz as well as original compositions. Jazz vocalist Alexis Cole served in the U.S. Army for 6 years, where she performed with the West Point Jazz Knights.

The West Point Band and the U.S. Army Field Band (Jazz Ambassadors) perform versions of “God Bless America” and other patriotic music.

Some jazz musicians who have recorded iconic performances of patriotic songs include trumpeter Louis Armstrong, who played “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960. Armstrong believed that he was born on the Fourth of July, but his actual birthday was August 4.

Bassist Charlie Haden recorded a soothing instrumental version of “America the Beautiful” with saxophonist Michael Brecker, pianist Brad Mehldau, and other musicians. It appears on the “American Dreams” album.

Flutist Herbie Mann’s lilting version of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” appears on his “Memphis Underground” album.

Patricia Martin

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Best Jazz Playlist for an Unforgettable Holiday Party

December is a special time for Holidays around the world (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Rohatsu, Ōmisoka, just to name a few) and we all know what that means: cookie baking, last-minute gift buying, and, of course, planning those annual Holiday parties! You are busy decorating the house, perfecting Pinterest charcuterie boards, and wrapping things up at the office so you can finally enjoy a few days off. As the big day approaches and you frantically arrange the finishing touches, you realize – this party needs a playlist!

Rather than just choosing a generic Spotify playlist, make your party stand out by including some of the best jazz Holiday hits, old and new. Your guests will be impressed and it’s guaranteed to leave an impression that will last them though the New Year.

Frosty the Snowman