Music for a Farmers Market
Farmers Markets & Fun Jazz
Now that spring is here, and summer is right around the corner, I bet you’re thrilled about all the farmers markets and food festivals popping up in your community! I know that I sure am. There’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than to grab your family and walk or bike to the local farmers market. I just love soaking up the wicker baskets and wooden crates full of fresh fruits and veggies, and hand-picked flowers. There are always so many tents to explore – homemade blackberry jams, shiny red cherry tomatoes, local clover honey, and goats milk soap. It’s all so wonderful!
Or maybe you’re responsible for one of those tents – maybe you’re a farmer, or a farmhand tasked to sell your goods at the local market. I bet you also love those brisk Saturday mornings loading up the truck with all your fresh produce and salted smoked meats. And then I bet it must be so much fun to greet the customers, chit-chat with the regulars and slowly get to know everyone in your community! But have you ever thought about bringing a speaker to your tent and playing some fun jazz tunes to enhance the mood? I’m sure your customers would love it, and research suggests that music can even make people more likely to buy something!
Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
After extolling the many wonderful colors and textures of the farmers market, I couldn’t help but to kick off our playlist with this beloved classic, first released in 1967. Even though I’ve heard this song countless times, it never fails to move me and make me feel a deep sense of gratitude. The colors of the rainbow / so pretty in the sky / Are also on the faces / Of people going by / I see friends shaking hands, saying “How do you do?” / They’re really saying, “I love you.”
Harry Allen Trio – You’re My Everything
In this new rendition of the 1931 jazz standard, you can really hear the synergy among the three musicians: Harry Allen’s smooth tenor saxophone intertwining with Rossano Sportiello’s swinging piano, both of which build upon the strong foundation of Bryan Carter’s dynamic drumming. This beautiful collaboration from Night is Alive’s newest album, It Takes 3, captures the interconnectedness of the farmers market. Like the musicians, everyone at the market is working together to foster an atmosphere of love, health and community.
Janis Siegel, John Di Martino, Aaron Heick, Harry Allen & others – Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue
Don’t you agree that a warm sunny day at the farmers market absolutely would not be complete without at least one country tune? Well lucky for you, Night is Alive has an excellent country jazz album, Cryin’ in My Whiskey! This rendition of Crystal Gayle’s lovely song captures the melancholy of an unrequited love, yet still manages to feel upbeat and light. You never know, maybe after losing a love, you might just bump into someone new, perhaps at your local farmers’ market?
John DiMartino, Joe Magnarelli, Wayne Escoffery, Lonnie Plaxico & Willie Jones III – Tune for Mr T
Maybe by this point you’ve finished purchasing the essential ingredients and you’re perusing the jewellery and arts tents, and want a funkier tune to accompany your shopping! This groovy little song, from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue will match the energy of the local artisans and might even convince you to finally buy that oil painting you’ve been eyeing for weeks. It’s going to look so good in that spot right above the mantel – you know just what I’m talking about!
The WJ3 All-Stars – Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You
Well, all good things must come to an end, including the farmers’ market. But before you leave, make sure to listen to this lovely tune from Night is Alive’s album Lovers and Love Songs, and don’t forget to treat yourself to a sweet baked good from the tent near the exit! I’ve heard that their lavender banana bread is to die for, or you can’t go wrong with the classic blueberry muffin! Gee baby, ain’t the farmer’s market good to us?
Check out some of this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!
written by Jacqueline Knirnschild