Let’s Listen! Introduction to Jazz Part 5 - Spring Edition

My blog is designed with the concept of encouraging even those unfamiliar with jazz to give it a listen. We're now on the fifth installment of this series! This time, we'll be introducing some stylish jazz music perfect for enjoying during cherry blossom viewing or a casual stroll. Why not make the most of this festive season by spending it with some sophisticated jazz?

1. It Might As Well Be Spring / Brad Mehldau

The original song comes from the 1945 film State Fair. Having won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, it’s known for its incredibly catchy melody. The performer, Brad Mehldau, is an American jazz pianist who is still active today. His improvisational solos stand out, showcasing a further evolution of the post-bop style, which we featured in our previous installment.

Related Article: Let’s Listen! Introduction to Jazz Part 4 - Post-Bop Edition

Although it doesn't have the typical bluesy feel of the bebop era, upon closer analysis, you can see that the music is deeply rooted in the research of that time. In the case of "It Might As Well Be Spring", a Latin-style arrangement has been applied, giving the impression of joyfully skipping as spring arrives—a delightful atmosphere.

One of my favorite artists, the prodigy Joey Alexander, who hasn't even reached adulthood yet, performs a rendition that seems to draw inspiration from this kind of arrangement. I think you'll find it interesting to compare the two!

It Might As Well Be Spring / Joey Alexander

2. I’ll Remember April / Stan Getz & Chet Baker

Both Stan Getz and Chet Baker are highly popular wind instrument players in Japan. Stan Getz is known for the deep, resonant sound of his tenor saxophone, while Chet Baker's sensual trumpet, much like his own singing voice, is a defining feature of his style. Interestingly, both musicians struggled with drug addiction, which gives this album a unique, almost fateful connection.
Spring is often associated with both meetings and partings, and it seems that spring and the theme of love are inseparable. The song starts by describing a happy couple, but the lyrics later reveal that their love wasn't everlasting.

I'll Remember April (Live In Los Angeles, 1954)

3. Circles On Black / Josh Lawrence

Next, I'd like to introduce a slightly more obscure track. This one comes from an album by Josh Lawrence, a member of the Grammy-nominated big band Captain Black Big Band. While the song title doesn't evoke much of a spring vibe, I personally felt a spring-like energy from its fast-paced, dynamic sound, which is why I chose to feature it. The track is an original composition, but the performance evokes a classic hard bop feel, with sharp accents in the thematic sections that are simply cool! I believe this sound is set to lead the future of the jazz world.

4. Morning and Allison / Nate Smith

Nate Smith is a Grammy-nominated jazz drummer known for his delicate yet technically skilled drumming. Enjoy the intricate drum sounds throughout this track. While this particular song wasn't Grammy-nominated, its mid-tempo makes it perfect for listening to while walking. It gives you that feeling of being the protagonist in your own story.
Another track with a similar tempo that I love to listen to while walking is "On Green Dolphin Street". Although it doesn’t quite capture the spring vibe, which is why I left it out of this playlist, it’s a timeless classic that sounds great any time of the year. It’s a standard often played in jazz sessions, with many different arrangements over the years.

Bill Evans - 9. On Green Dolphin Street [Live]

5. Fantasy in D / Cedar Walton

Next up is a lively, uplifting track. Cedar Walton, an American jazz pianist, delivers a performance from one of his live recordings, which, in my opinion, is a masterpiece where every track is a hit. The clarity of each note is remarkable, and above all, the music is simply beautiful. Walton also participated in the recording of John Coltrane's Giant Steps, an album where Tommy Flanagan famously struggled. Walton played on a different take of the same album. Like Flanagan, his improvisational solos are rooted in chord progressions, but am I the only one who hears something more sparkling in his sound?

Giant Steps (Alternate Take)

"Fantasy in D" is also known as "Ugetsu", a name given when Cedar Walton offered the piece to Art Blakey’s band. It’s unclear why the title was changed, but it's nice to see a song with a Japanese-inspired name being used. There's something special about that connection, don’t you think?

6. Alone in the Morning / Joshua Redman

The last track I’d like to introduce is perfect for starting a fresh morning! (And let’s not dwell too much on the fact that the title doesn’t quite scream “fresh”...) Joshua Redman, a renowned American saxophonist still active at the top of his game, brings us this piece. As the album title Mood Swing suggests, the music and performances are full of atmosphere. And it’s no surprise—this track’s pianist is none other than Brad Mehldau, whom I mentioned earlier. With Christian McBride on bass and Brian Blade on drums, two of the best rhythm players of the '90s, Redman plays with an impressive sense of freedom and energy.

So, we've explored some refreshing jazz music that's perfect for spring! The theme this time was "music to enjoy while taking a walk," but having the right gear to listen with is just as important, isn't it?
At Sound House, we offer a wide selection of wireless earphones and headphones.
For example, check this out:

AIAIAI / TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ Wireless Headphones

The renowned modular headphone brand AIAIAI has released a new wireless headphone with ultra-low latency*! With an astonishing 16ms latency, it delivers lossless audio. That number might be hard to grasp, but imagine it as the time it takes for one frame to refresh at 60Hz—that gives you a sense of just how fast it is!
In other words, on a screen with a refresh rate similar to that of a TV, there's virtually no delay. Plus, since it's AIAIAI, you can swap out the ear pads and speaker units to your liking, making it a versatile option.
(*when using W+Link technology.)

Even earphones don't fall short!

JBL / TOUR PRO+ TWS True Wireless Earphones

This product is the successor to the **JBL / CLUB PRO+ TWS**, which gained popularity on the internet in 2021. It features hybrid noise-canceling with ambient sound mode. You can immerse yourself in the music or turn on the ambient sound mode to stay aware of your surroundings, making it perfect for a safe walk. The **TOUR PRO+** has improved sound quality, and its slightly rounder design gives it a cute appearance.

And when it comes to noise-canceling earphones, this product is a standout:

SONY / WF-1000XM4 BM Black True Wireless Earphones

I personally bought this one. Ever since I borrowed the **WF-1000XM3** from a colleague at work, I’d been wanting it. Up until now, I was using the **JBL / FREE X**, which didn’t have noise canceling, but I get excited about these gadget-like products.
Of course, the noise canceling is amazing, but the sound quality is exactly what you'd expect from SONY. The bass is rich, and yet the high tones come through beautifully. Even if you're a fan of wired earphones, I highly recommend giving these a try!

Now, since I have these earphones, I think I’ll take a train ride to enjoy some cherry blossoms. Why not head out with your favorite tunes as well?

Take the A train / Duke Ellington