With so much great jazz music out there—and more coming each week—we’re always in need of reminders of tunes that deserve another listen. So why not couple that with a bit of trivia and dig out 5 jazz tunes that include the letter “z”..?!
If you haven’t already, try to guess before checking out our picks; it’s harder than you might think!
From modal masterpieces to Great American Songbook staples, here are six tunes where Z takes centre stage (sort of)…
5. Azure – Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington had a knack for giving his ballads the kind of names that matched their moods—and Azure is no exception.
This dreamy tune floats through lush harmonic territory with that unmistakable Ellington elegance. It’s the kind of piece that feels like a slow exhale, dipped in velvet.
4. Lazy Bird – John Coltrane
From Coltrane’s Blue Train sessions, Lazy Bird is anything but lazy. Rumoured to be a playful nod to Tadd Dameron’s Lady Bird, the tune is brisk, harmonically clever, and full of forward momentum.
It’s John Coltrane in full flight—before he went completely cosmic.
3. Zoltan – Larry Young
This one’s for the modal jazz fans. Larry Young’s Unity is often hailed as one of Blue Note’s boldest organ-led albums, and Zoltan is the sprawling opener.
Named after composer Zoltán Kodály, the tune balances eerie melodies with deep swing. A psychedelic organ trio classic before that was even a thing.
2. Freedom Jazz Dance – Eddie Harris
Eddie Harris brings the fire with Freedom Jazz Dance—a tune that’s been covered by everyone from Miles Davis to Brad Mehldau.
It’s rhythmically tricky and melodically slippery, but always funky. And yes, “Jazz” gives us the Z here—so it’s staying on the list.
1. Puttin’ On the Ritz – Irving Berlin
A standard that’s been swung, crooned, and reimagined for nearly a century, Puttin’ On the Ritz makes the cut thanks to that snazzy little “z.”
Irving Berlin’s lyric and melody are instantly recognisable, and jazz artists from Fred Astaire to Mel Tormé have left their fingerprints on it.
Final Thoughts: The Jazz Alphabet’s Underdog
Sure, Z might not show up in All The Things You Are or Autumn Leaves—but when it does appear, it adds a certain zing (or Zoltan) to the mix.
Whether it’s Coltrane blazing through Lazy Bird or Duke setting a dreamlike tone with Azure, these tracks prove that even the rarest letters in the jazz alphabet can deliver timeless moments.
Got another Z-titled jazz tune we missed? Drop it in the comments—we’re always up for expanding the list (and the Scrabble score).
Looking for a more serious list of jazz songs? You’ll find it here.