Jazz today has taken many forms. You can hear the essence of
jazz in any genre - pop, rock, easy listening, dance music and even
country! Here are a few notes on today's jazz:
Profits
More record companies have pursued music that makes more money,
such as hip-hop, rap or pop. Because of this, the integrity of
artists and their goals are often ignored. But jazz manages to
finds its way in all genres, in order to appeal to large audiences.
This is why you have singers such as Christina Aguilera singing
jazz songs like "Candyman" in pop music. This is great, because
more listeners can experience jazz in ways they never thought
possible!
Types of Jazz Today
- Many old classic jazz albums are still the most popular - like John Coltrane's A Love Supreme
- Many popular artists today sing or play their own versions of standard jazz songs (songs like What a Wonderful World
- Many CDs today are compilations of jazz songs for different moods - such as romantic evenings, going out for drinks or for rainy days
- There are many jazz clubs and bars today. Many musicians enjoy playing jazz because it stretches their artistic abilities!
Here a few popular artists you can enjoy. Happy listening!
Michael
Buble
Best songs: Feeling Good, Home,
Everything
Notes: This Canadian is a "crooner", often compared to Rat Pack
singers such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Click here to hear him
sing the Theme Song to the movie "Spiderman".
Amy
Winehouse
Best songs: Rehab, Love is a Losing Game,
Back to Black
Notes: This popular British singer is notorious for her beehive
hairdo, her retro look and her involvement with drugs. Click
here to
hear her sing "Rehab".
Norah
Jones
Best songs: Don't Know Why, Come Away With Me,
Turn Me On
Notes: This popular singer, songwriter and pianist has a soft,
raspy voice. She has also acted in My Blueberry Nights
with Jude Law and Natalie Portman, the first English movie by
Chinese director Kar Wai Wong. Click here to hear her
sing "Don't Know Why".
Diana
Krall
Best songs: The Look of Love
Notes: This pianist and singer from Vancouver, British Columbia,
she is married to famous musician Elvis Costello. Click here to hear her
sing a version of Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are".
Pink
Martini
Best songs: Sympathique, Donde Estas,
Yolanda?
Notes: This group is greatly influenced by Cuban and European jazz.
The songs are sung in either English or French. Click here
to hear "Una notte a Napoli ".
Saint
Germain
Best songs: Rose Rouge, Sure Thing,
Tourist
Notes: This French musician's real name is Ludovic Navarre. His
music style is considered a mix of house music and nu-jazz music.
Click here
to hear "Rose Rouge".
