Whilst many styles of jazz seemingly emerged gradually, the bossa nova craze that swept America and the wider world in the mid-sixties can be traced largely to one song: The Girl From Ipanema. Written in 1962 by Antônio Carlos Jobim with Portuguese lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, The Girl From Ipanema was originally titled ‘Menina …
One of the most famous jazz singers of all time joining forces with Duke Ellington – arguably the most important composer of the 20th Century – had all the hallmarks of an iconic jazz album. It doesn’t disappoint! The year 1956 was an important one for Ella Fitzgerald, and with the benefit of hindsight the …
From her rise to fame thanks to a friendship with Cannonball Adderley to a Grammy-winning album 6 decades later, we take a trip through 10 iconic Nancy Wilson songs which tell the story of a musical icon. Born on February 20, 1937, Nancy Wilson is one of the true original voices in music. At home …
One of the most influential pianists and composers in jazz, Duke Ellington would lead his band for nearly fifty years. His contribution to the music is immeasurable from his instantly recognisable style at the piano, to his eye for talent and ability to attract some of the leading soloists of the day to play in …
Making his name in the late 1930s with the Count Basie Orchestra, iconic jazz trumpeter Harry “Sweets” Edison is synonymous with the swing era, as well as a fine accompanist to singers. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 10th, 1915, young Harry faced the challenge of his parents’ separation during his infancy. Fortunately, his aunt …
Arguably one of the more niche types of jazz – and one that doesn’t fit neatly into the genre’s timeline – Electro Swing nonetheless highlights jazz’s sensibility for borrowing from other musical styles. In this guide, we find out more… Also known as “swing house”, electro swing is a genre of music that developed in …
Formed by English guitarist John McLaughlin in 1971 the Mahavishnu Orchestra became one of the most important and high-profile bands in the world of jazz fusion. In this article, we use their short discography to map out the course of this iconic group of legendary musicians. During its lifetime the Mahavishnu Orchestra went through several …
Whilst the phrase “European Jazz” is often used as a kind of description of a certain type of music, in reality the continent is made up of multiple countries, each with their own rich history and scenes. In this guide we shine a light on some of the great Italian jazz musicians. Jazz has had …
Already listed at the top of our list of the most famous Blues singers of all time, in this article we dive deeper into the most popular Bessie Smith songs. Acquiring the nickname ‘Empress of the Blues’, Bessie Smith was the most well-known female blues singer of the 1930s with an influence that extended well …
Born on June 12, 1941 pianist and composer Chick Corea was a prolific presence on the jazz scene from 1962 until his death in February 2021. A complex musician he was at home in styles from free jazz, Latin jazz, post-bop jazz, progressive rock and classical music. In the late sixties he recorded several important …