Songs & S’mores

Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash

Bonfire tunes your family and friends will love.

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

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

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

WJ3 All-Stars – Star Eyes

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

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman & Douglas Plaxico – Mona Lisa

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

Lorca Hart Trio – Ness and His Family

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

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Looking Back

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

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash

Songs for a Pool Party

Photo by Dushawn Jovic on Unsplash

Tunes perfect for playful splashes or lazy floating.

Savor the last few warm days of summer with a pool party! Even though temperatures may be dropping, there is still time to squeeze in one last pool day with friends and family before fall really sets in. Grab a floaty, a towel and lounge chair and soak up the last rays of sun while you listen to this bright and bubbly playlist, made just for you by Night is Alive!

Lorca Hart Trio – MoJoe

Get your mojo on with this vibrant tune from one of Night is Alive’s beloved albums, Colors of Jazz! Ralph Moore’s electrifying saxophone will have you smiling and splashing around in no time. Maybe you could even have a handstand competition in the shallow end of the pool? Playing around isn’t only for kids; adults can have fun too! Why not?

WJ3 All-Stars – Jitterbug Waltz

Pool days are a time to be light on your feet and let the weight of daily life float away, just like your buoyant body in the water. Listen to this whimsical song from Night is Alive’s album Lovers and Love Songs while you dance and swirl around in the water. Maybe you can even do a backflip or pretend to be a mermaid! Or what about choreographing a synchronized swimming routine?

Janis Siegel, John Di Martino, Aaron Heick & others – Whenever You Come Around

Enjoy the levity of this smooth and jazzy rendition of the 1994 Vince Gill classic, from Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ in My Whiskey. Maybe you have a significant other, or a flirty crush, at the pool party too. Let the romantic lyrics of this tune inspire you to murmur sweet nothings in the corner of the pool, or hold each other as you float around. I get weak in the knees and I lose my breath . . . And when you smile that smile, the world turns upside down . . .

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman & Douglas Plaxico – The In Crowd

Having a pool party probably makes you and your friends feel like you’re the “in crowd,” doesn’t it? Celebrate the fact that you have a community of loved ones by grooving to this fast-paced tune from the hot new album Radiance. The bouncy sounds of the piano and drums will make you want to toss a ball around in the pool. Maybe you even have a hoop attached at one end!

Harry Allen Trio – It’s Sunny in Cape Cod

You may not be in Cape Cod, but the sun is still shining outside and inside your heart too. Hopefully this pool day and playlist brought you unadulterated delight and joy, just like the melody of this song brings me every time I listen to it. From Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, the soft flow of Rossano Sportiello’s piano evokes sunlight glimmering off the surface of clear, blue pool water.

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Dushawn Jovic on Unsplash

Trails, Trekking & Tunes

Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash

Songs to listen to while you hike

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

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

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

Lorca Hart Trio – Recluse

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

Bill Cunliffe, Martin Wind & Tim Horner – Marching Season

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

Lorca Hart Trio – Dew Drop

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

WJ3 All-Stars – Star Eyes

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

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash

Whimsical Wedding Songs

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Jazz songs for the wedding season.

It’s midsummer and that means the wedding season is in full swing! How many weddings are you attending this summer? From engagement parties to bridal showers, bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners, you are probably very busy finding just the right outfit and gift for every event. But amid all the craziness, make sure to stop and enjoy every moment. Weddings are an important life moment and it’s crucial that you are there, in mind, body and spirit, to celebrate your loved ones. Don’t let the checklists and schedules eclipse the real reason for the season: true love. We at Night is Alive, have created a playlist of love songs to help you destress and be present in the moment.

Lorca Hart Trio – A Time For Love

Wedding season is all about making time in our busy lives for love. Let this song, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude, wash over you and remind you that right now is a time for love. While you are getting ready for a wedding event, whether it be doing your nails, washing your hair or fixing your bowtie, listen to this song to get you into the wedding spirit!

WJ3 All-Stars – First Time I Saw Your Face

They say that when you know, you just know. From that very first time you saw each others’ faces, you probably knew that this was the person meant for you. And this beautiful song, from Night is Alive’s album Lover and Love Songs perfectly captures that love-at-first-sight moment. Maybe it was at a coffee shop, or maybe it was a bar, or in the office, when your eyes first locked and you saw a future in your beloved’s face.

Harry Allen Trio – It’s You Or No One

With its whimsical melody, this snazzy tune, from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3, really gives strong wedding season energy. The swinging beat brings to mind a bunch of couples grooving and jiving, hand-in-hand, on the dancefloor. So, dust off those dancing shoes, grab a partner and have a ball! Why not?

WJ3 All-Stars – Taking A Chance on Love

Even when you know you’re with the right person, love still feels risky, doesn’t it? It’s scary to be vulnerable with another person; it’s scary to share all your feelings and take a chance on love. This song, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship, conjures that feeling of vulnerability and risk while also being playful about it. Yes, love is risky and means taking a chance, but that’s what life is all about, isn’t it? Maybe you’re a single guest at the wedding reception, and you notice a cute guest across the hall smiling at you–take a chance on love and go ask that person to dance!

John Di Martino, Janis Siegel & Others – Whenever You Come Around

This jazzy rendition of the beloved 1994 Vince Gill country tune will truly melt your heart. From Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ in My Whiskey, this sappy song will have you tearing you when you think about your lover. Or it also gives you the perfect opportunity to slow dance with a new crush. I’m standin’ here holding the biggest heartache in town / Whenever you come around / I get weak in the knees and I lose my breath…

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

5 Jazz Songs for Christmas in July

Who says you have to wait until it’s snowy and cold in December to “jingle all the way”? Why not have some fun and celebrate Christmas now while the sun is a-blazing? Barbeques and pool parties are how the Australians usually celebrate the Yuletide, so why shouldn’t we give Christmas in the summer a try in the northern hemisphere too!? Grab a cold beverage or an ice cream sundae with red and green sprinkles and let these jazz tunes inspire your festivities.

Teddy Horangic, Frank Lacy & others – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Who needs Mariah Carey when you have this lovely new rendition of one of the most beloved Christmas songs from Night is Alive? Whenever I hear this song start coming on the radio, it always puts me into the jolliest spirit! Enjoy Frank Lacy’s baritone and, like he sings, let your heart be light as you bask in the sun or float in the pool.

John Di Martino, Willie Jones III & others – Christmas Ain’t Like It Used to Be

The titular song of the Night is Alive album, this groovy tune adds some spice to the typical holiday music playlist, which is perfect for a Christmas in July celebration! Christmas sure ain’t like it used to be, it’s sweaty and slick and daylight is much longer now, so why not stay up late twistin’ and jivin’ to this stellar saxophone solo?

Bill Cunliffe Trio – Linus and Lucy

This playful song is perfect for a summer holiday party! From the Night is Alive album Christmas in the Dog House, this upbeat tune captures the childlike wonder of the holiday season. It’ll bring back memories of watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, and, perhaps, eating one too many gingerbread cookies…don’t forget to leave some for Santa!

Bill Cunliffe – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Christmas in July is the time for the fun and fast-paced tunes, like this one from Night is Alive’s album That Time of Year. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have seen the beloved musical, The Nutcracker? If so, you’ll recognize this lovely, whimsical song, which really captures the magical spirit of the Yuletide season. Watch out, the sugar plum fairy might even leave some sparkly fairy dust on your pillow!

Teddy Horangic, Frank Lacy & others – O Holy Night

To round out this playlist, we’d like to finish with a classic from This Christmas With Night is Alive that you can all sing along to! By this point, you’ve probably had a few spirited drinks and are hopefully feeling quite jolly, so gather round, maybe arm-in-arm, and sing together! Maybe you can even make it into a carol for the neighbors?

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Q&A with David Basse from Kansas City Radio

Here we wrap up our conversation with the acclaimed David Basse, a living legend in today’s jazz world. Stay tuned for more interviews with your favorite artists!

NiA: Your singing has been compared to Mel Tormé, Jon Hendricks and Al Jarreau. Are these the musicians you look up to the most? Which musicians do you most admire and why?

DB: I think what that comparison speaks to is that I don’t really copy anybody. There’s also another article that compared me to Dr. John. But I really actually patterned myself after Tom Waits for quite a while, and Joe Williams who sang with Count Basie Orchestra. And each time that somebody would say, oh you sound like that guy, and if I was trying to sound like that person, I would try to sound like someone else. I didn’t really start singing, really singing until I was 19, when I came to Kansas City. When I got to Kansas City it was like I had a new life. I could try anything, dress however I wanted to dress, be whoever I wanted to be, so I felt comfortable singing. But I’ve changed a lot over the years and I don’t pattern myself after anyone anymore and I don’t really hear that anymore. I’m just doing what I do.

NiA: Which musicians are you most jazzed to be listening to at the moment?

DB: I like to explore music and I guess that’s why I started doing radio, which was in 1998. Recently, I went to the last two Sarah Vaughan music competitions in Newark, New Jersey. And Tyreke McDole, he won in 2023, and the next winner was April May Webb. In 2023, I picked Tyreke and my wife and I went to dinner and he won, so we went back the next year and I picked April May and she won! I’ve kept in touch with both of them. They’re really great; they’re really saying something with their music. And then there’s a young trombonist, Altin Sencalar, he’s Turkish and Mexican, and he’s a terrific trombonist. So those are my three favorite people right now in jazz. And it’s not like my opinion means anything, it’s just something I like. I’m not listening to any particular kind of jazz–I just love music. So, on my radio show we play a wide range–blues, smooth jazz, classic jazz, whatever it is, I make a case for it.

NiA: Could you talk a bit about your transition from performing to the radio?

DB: I don’t really make a differentiation–in both, I play the music I want to play. As I’ve gotten older I want to play my original music more and play less of the standards and things I used to play although I do play a lot of those songs because people want to hear them and they come into my head. With radio, I try to make it like a symphony, so there’s the first movement of the symphony and then it has to lead into the next movement. Even if I’m going to talk in between the songs and explain things–which I don’t always do–I want the key, the tempo, and the feel of the music to bleed into the next piece of music. So curating the jazz for the radio is the most fun and the most challenging; it takes the most time.

NiA: Could you talk about how exactly you decide which songs to play on the radio? What is the selection process?

DB: Record companies and artists work with radio promoters and they send an awful lot of music. I get maybe 30 or 40 CDs a month and 10-20 downloads a day from various places and artists from all over the world. So, I’m able to have a good amount of music and it’s really run me out of a couple studios so far and I’m currently looking for a place to house my collection of recordings–my albums and CDs, drives with shows. I’ve done about 8,000 hours of jazz at this point, and I was involved in a syndicated radio show before this for a decade and that show is no longer–it’s housed in a library now–it’s no longer on the air. That’s a lot of music! And I pick a Top 10 every year. You can look on my website from 2015 to 2023 to see the Top 10s. So if you think of all the albums, I’m distilling them down to 10 top songs of 10 top albums. I’ve been curating 15 hours of jazz per week and there’s 9-10 songs in an hour–that’s 150 albums a week! And I put a post-in note in every CD or album that says when I played it and the track that I played. The only way that the album can be in the Top 10 is if I play every track in the album and so at the end of the year I have a tabletop full of stacks of CDs and I start to rethink and play those great songs again. Then I can say over the air that this is one of my Top 10 picks for the year.

NiA: What do you think about NiA’s music?

DB: Well as someone who has had their own record label for quite a while, I think it’s a good endeavour. I think she’s doing good things with it. I think she’s making nice, really good albums with influential musicians. You know, it’s a hard thing to do. It’s a labor of love and a lot of jazz labels don’t last for a long, long time. But she has some very good music, so…it’ll probably be something very special as time goes on.

Since I’m a radio person, I receive stacks of CDs from everywhere, and downloads come in all the time, so there’s a lot of competition. But she has a style that’s specific and it’s a wide genre, it’s not just jazz, it’s Night is Alive! The way that she puts these albums together is very personal, so I usually play all the songs, which is my criteria for a good album.

NiA: Yeah, I know what you mean. With a really good album you listen to every single song, no skips.

DB: Yeah, sometimes there’s just one good song, and sometimes there’s no good song. And it depends on a lot of aspects, and it’s really hard. I’m making my own recording right now and sometimes I really like it, and other times, I’m like “am I doing the right thing? Is this going to be successful in any way?” It has to be something that you really choose to do, and that seems like what Kathy does–she really chooses what she wants it to sound like, which I think is the best course of action.

NiA: Which Night is Alive album of ours is your favorite?

DB: Call Me Irresponsible is my favorite because it really captures an excellent singer in the beginning of her career, and it’s off-handed in a way. I love John Di Martino–the pianist–too. He was the director of the band. But I remember all the albums as joyful to open up. They always come in the mail and I like everything about them. I like the way Kathy presents the albums, so I always play them.

Learn more about David Basse at davidbasse.com

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

photo from facebook.com/davidbassejazz/

How to Make Weeding Your Garden More Fun

Photo by Ben Collins on Unsplash

The perfect playlist for your outdoor summer chores!

No one really enjoys weeding, but, unfortunately, it’s necessary for a garden to flourish. Each little green flower bud needs space to breathe around it, and plenty of nutritious soil to grow. So, you might as well grab your trowel, gloves, sunhat, and a nice speaker and get started. And don’t worry, of course you know that Night is Alive has got you covered with a playlist to make weeding your garden more fun!

Harry Allen Trio – I Can’t Get Started

Like with any challenging or tedious task, it may be difficult to get started. You might just feel like you can’t get started no matter how hard you try to stop scrolling on your phone or sipping from your water bottle. But the more time you tarry away, the longer it’ll take you to finish! So, go ahead and ease into your weeding with this soft song from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3. I think the interplay of the piano and saxophone will be sure to motivate and encourage you.

Lorca Hart Trio – Like This

Weeding sure is a lot more fun when you have an upbeat jazzy tune like this one from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude. Just like this you will be pulling out all of those pesky dandelions, creeping Charlie and knotweed in no time! Let the fast beat guide your movements and it’ll feel less like a chore and more like a synchronised dance.

The Lorca Hart Trio – Blues Alliance

From one of our older beloved albums Colors of Jazz, this playful and fun tune will help to make the time spent outside weeding feel like a real treat. Try to enjoy the dappling sunshine on the green leaves, the smell of the fresh overturned dirt, and the cute little critters–ants, worms, caterpillars–crawling about. We’re all in this together–in this Blues Alliance!

WJ3 All-Stars – I Should Care

After that weeding frenzy you may be beginning to feel a little tired! You may start to wonder if this is even all worth it . . . should I even care about this garden? The weeding is so much work! But let this song, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship remind you that yes, yes you should share! Let the blooming of the trumpet in this song help you to visualize all the daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops that will be emerging soon enough.

WJ3 All Stars – I’m an Old Cow Hand

After all that work in the garden, I bet you’re starting to feel like an old cow hand working hard out in the sun all day! Why not celebrate your hard work with this snazzy tune from Night is Alive’s album Lovers & Love Songs. Then go and grab yourself a nice ice cold glass of sweet tea and sit back and relax. You earned it!

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Ben Collins on Unsplash

Songs for Calm Outdoor Yoga

Photo by kike vega on Unsplash

Celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21st

With muggy, humid weather like this, you can have a hot yoga class in your backyard! Just step outside with your yoga mat and I guarantee the temperatures and sweat will be as high as you’d be paying for in an infrared studio! It’ll also be nice to stretch out your body, breathe into your muscles and hear the birds chirping outside. Plus, did you know that June 21st is International Yoga Day? What better way to celebrate than with some calm outdoor yoga and smooth jazz tunes! We at Night is Alive have got you covered with a playlist that’ll help you unwind and unfold.

Lorca Hart Trio – Let Me in Your Life

I think yoga is best when it is done with a specific intention in mind. Whether it be to let go of the past, be in the present moment or allow yourself to make mistakes, it’s important to set a goal to work towards in your yoga practice, which is why I thought it’d be great to start our playlist with a song from Lorca Hart Trio’s album Inspiration and Gratitude. Maybe your intention could be to be grateful for all that you have, or to let some love into your life?

Harry Allen Trio – Each and Every Yesterday

This beautiful slow tune from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3 really showcases the buttery brilliance of Harry Allen’s saxophone. Allow the mellow melody to smooth out all the kinks in your back and neck as you warm up and stretch out, maybe with some table-top positions and cat/cow. Let all the stress of each and every yesterday roll off your body like every music note rolls so effortlessly from the instruments.

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

I think Wind’s bass really stands out in this track from the album of the same title, released by Night is Alive. And Cunliffe’s masterful piano is also incredibly peaceful, while Horner’s drums pull everything all together. A song like this makes me want to get into a child’s pose and allow the laments of the day to slip away, like the drops of sweat, onto my mat.

John Di Martino & Others – Only the Lonely

This song, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible, is hauntingly beautiful and I guarantee it will stick with you long after it’s over, much like your yoga practice. Maybe it feels a bit lonely to be outside practicing yoga by yourself, but you’re not alone–you have the music to keep you company. You have the arresting vocals, the piano, guitar, bass, drums to guide you as you unwind your body further and push it to the threshold where growth occurs.

The Lorca Hart Trio – Duke and Billy

As you finish up your half-pigeon pose and do your final pose, maybe it’s a wheel or full bridge, or even a shoulder stand, this snazzy tune will only serve to enhance your relaxation. Then, when you get into that final resting pose, flat on your back on the mat, allow the Colors of Jazz (the name of this album) to wash over you and spark your synapses with joy and accomplishment. You did it. You took this time for yourself today and your body greatly appreciates it.

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by kike vega on Unsplash

Songs for a Summer Solstice Picnic

Photo by Liana S on Unsplash

Did you know that right around the time of the Summer Solstice is when the sun is out for the longest? Yup, right now you are going to be experiencing the most daylight of the year! As nature comes alive–the crickets chirp, the bees buzz and the wind rustles–why not grab a basket and fill it with your favorite snacks and have an evening picnic? Just be sure not to forget the bugspray! And of course, a lovely sunset playlist.

Harry Allen Trio – It’s Sunny in Cape Cod

I don’t know about you, but I just love these long evenings. I feel so much more awake when the sun is still out at 8, 9 p.m. This song, from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3, not only captures what it feels like when “It’s Sunny in Cape Cod,” but it also captures what it feels like when it’s sunny during the solstice! Sit back, relax and enjoy the soothing piano notes, each one like a ray of sunshine.

Lorca Hart Trio – Dew Drop

Even though there are lots of mosquitos right after it rains, I still think there is something just so serene about dewy, fresh, post-storm evenings. The earth and greenery feels like it was freshly cleansed and refreshed. Everything has such a rejuvenating gleam to it, just like this lovely song from Night is Alive’s album Colors of Jazz. The saxophone is like a perfect dew drop on a leaf, glistening and serene.

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

This is one of my favorite tunes to sing along to–it’s just so catchy, clever and croony. Maybe as you’re sitting at your picnic, you’ll also feel inspired to sing along! From Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, this tune encapsulates the melancholy feeling of a tortured relationship yet still manages to feel light and singable. Plus, there’s nothing like country music when you’re sitting outside on a nice summer evening, right?

Bill Cunliffe, Martin Wind & Tim Horner – Marching Season

As the skies begin to finally darken a little bit, you may want to listen to a song that has a bit more of a haunting feel to it, like this one from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament. This dynamic tune makes me think of all the ants marching up tree trunks and branches, the raccoons and squirrels stirring in the woods, the owl blinking its eyes; all the life that is teeming in the unknown darkness beyond human eyes.

WJ3 All-Stars – Star Eyes

Maybe a few stars are beginning to twinkle in the sky? Maybe the moon is peeking out from behind a cloud? Well, it really was a lovely Summer Solstice picnic, and what better way to end it than with this lovely song from Night is Alive’s album My Ship. Maybe you’re sitting with a loved one and the stars are reflecting in their eyes, or maybe this person makes you starry-eyed!

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Liana S on Unsplash

Father’s Day Fun!

Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash

5 Songs for a BBQ with Dad

What are you up to this weekend for Father’s Day? Did you mow the lawn and power wash the driveway in preparation for a family BBQ? Have you stocked up on some ice and beer? And most importantly, did you remember to make a playlist for the BBQ?

Father’s Day is a special time to honor and celebrate the amazing dads, grandpas, uncles, and father figures in our lives. From fixing scraped knees to offering wise advice (and maybe a few bad dad jokes!) dads are always there for us and do so much. So, it’s important to show our appreciation with a rockin’ playlist on Father’s Day! Get ready to crank up the volume, share a dance and cherish the good vibes together.

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

Remember all those times you fell off a skateboard, a bike or went through a heartbreak–dad was always there. Every time you fall, your dad is right there to check on you and ask you if you’re alright, just like Siegel’s beautiful vocals in this song. Nod along with this jazzy rendition of Lucinda Williams’s 2007 tune, which is a part of Night is Alive’s country album, Cryin’ in My Whiskey. Who knows–maybe if your dad is a country fan, you’ll want to buy him the album as a gift!

Harry Allen Trio – It’s Sunny in Cape Cod

Hopefully the weather where you are is warm and sunny this weekend, just like the blue skies and cotton candy clouds over Cape Cod. This lovely, relaxing tune, from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3, will transport you and dad to all the family vacations you’ve gone on together throughout your lives. Remember that time you got so sunburned that dad had to go take an emergency trip to town for aloe? Or how about the time that dad laughed so hard beer came dribbling out his nose?

Lorca Hart Trio – Song for Ganda

This fast-paced, upbeat tune from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration & Gratitude is the perfect one to get you and dad up dancing! The snazzy, groovy melodies will make y’all want to snap your fingers, clap to the beat and start shaking those feet. Remember, it doesn’t matter what you look like on the dancefloor (or driveway!), all that matters is that you’re having fun.

Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & others – Always on My Mind

After all that groovy dancing, I bet you and dad are a bit tuckered out! So, take a breather and listen to this jazzy rendition of Willie Nelson’s beloved 1982 ballad. Because really, what dad doesn’t love good ol’ Willie Nelson? You might even want to pour out a drink of whiskey to amplify the vibe.

WJ3 All-Stars – Wave

From Night is Alive’s album My Ship, this mellow tune really showcases the masterful trumpetering of Jeremy Pelt! Not only does it have excellent trumpet, but this song also creates a calm and smooth vibe to end a lovely barbeque with dad. As you’re putting the folding chairs and folding tables back into the shed, allow this song to guide you into a reflective state that gives you a chance to feel gratitude for the great day and memories you made with dad.

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

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash