+1 on Kenny Dorham, "Quiet Kenny"
I also discovered Youn Sun Nah. She is amazing.
Jazz for late night relaxation
I've recently discovered
Youn Sun Nah -- Same Girl album extremely entertaining! |
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''Little Blue'' is perfect for that purpose; http://www.soundliaison.com/ And last but not least, the leader of the band Carmen Gomes, whose phrasing and control of emotion has reached complete mastery. Every word and melodic phrase seems to appear from years of soul searching and life experience. Carmen Gomes knows just how much or little is needed to convey the right amount of feeling for a particular song. Although sometimes the amount of feeling and emotion that is needed is almost too much for Carmen herself. We had to call for break after the Little Girl Blue take because Carmen was in tears and overcome with emotions. You can hear the voice starting to break up towards the end of the song. |
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I don’t imagine many think of him as relaxing per se, but late nights when I feel restless Bud Powell is my go-to, it just seems all’s right with the world when I hear Bud . Perhaps its because in Jazz i listen for the time setter and with Bud its not hard to hear who that is . And his chromatics are right up there with the best of the Classical composers IMO . And perhaps he's just so damn fine . |
There are a couple of series of compilations of relaxing jazz that are mainstream jazz, not smooth jazz, that are available on Amazon and eBay cheap. The first is from the Savoy label and it has titles that begin with, “Jazz For…” as in “Jazz For A Rainy Afternoon.” Here is a description of that title: “Jazz for a Rainy Afternoon” as released by Savoy Jazz in 2003 is basically an expanded version of the Jazz for a Rainy Afternoon disc released by 32 Jazz in 1999. Instead of one disc, there are now two, which increases the total number of tracks from 11 to 20. The new tracks are drawn from the same source as those on the original release, the catalog of the Muse label from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Jazz giants like Houston Person, David "Fathead" Newman, Red Garland, and Sonny Criss all contribute tracks and brush shoulders with jazz middleweights like Jimmy Ponder, Warren Vache, and Carol Welsman. As the title suggests, the songs are relaxed and the mood is mellow and very laid-back. Although the songs date from well-beyond jazz's peak years, the performances are uniformly solid and the disc is a nice, low-priced collection of mood music. ~ Tim Sendra As noted above, they come as single cd and 2 cd sets. You want the 2 cd sets. The other series is 2 cd sets from Denon that have better known artists and have titles that are variations on, “The Most Relaxing Jazz Music In The Universe.” Here are the tunes from the title I mentioned: DISC 1:
Both series feature music that is good enough to hold up to repeated listening and the sound on both is very good but not audiophile quality. Good, relaxing music for little money. Enter your text ... |
For something different and "Jazz" in a broader sense, try the recordings of the group "Oregon". Fascinating compositions, virtuosic playing and improvisation and just a tasteful hint (and no more) of the dreaded "New Age" sensibility. Don't let the New Age thing scare you, this is beautiful and very deep music which I find very relaxing. Audio quality is generally outstanding, particularly their ECM recordings. |
2nd vote for any Venus Jazz 24/192 mastered RBCD or SACD out of Japan (seller 'internationalrecords' on eBay out of Hong Kong is a great and reliable source)....particularly any of the Eddie Higgins or Eric Alexander Ballads/Standards releases. Not only is the music great and fitting to the OP's question, the sonics on all Venus discs is off the charts good (at least to my ears....). |
HAHA!!! Sorry, but Frogman's list is good for listening one after another without getting any sleep even if alcohol is present :-) If you really need lullaby, Here's my top list: Percy Faith; David Rose; Jackie Gleeson; Carmen Cavallaro; George Shearing and some Mantovani. With vocals: #1 is Diana Krall gets me asleep even after Monster Energy drink zzzzz...!!! Nora Jones YES! Judy Garland Tony Bennet Andy Williams Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high And the dreams that you dreamed of Once in a lullaby |
Shirley Horn's music on Verve Andre Previn's on Telarc Tommy Flannigan Houston Person And, especially for late night jazz, Charlie Haden's music including Night and the City, Land of the Sun, beyond the Missouri Sky, and Steal Away. You might also like The Art of the Song and Nocturn. For earlier in the evening I enjoy Haden and the Quartet West's Haunted Heart, Now is the Hour, and In Angel City. |