My ears grew up to jazz, gospel, R&B, funk, and Hip Hop - l am a musical fusion of the black American experience. So,then, is my taste in jazz music. Mixed and diaspora-ful. Improvised harmony. Horns and scats you could get lost in... So, get your goosebumps ready.
The morning alarm of my father's sax practice and my mother's voice playing over Sunday supper built the joy that excites my heart every time I hear the breezy, rhythmic sounds that still and also come out of contemporary R&B and Hip Hop today.
Here's what jazz is to me. Enjoy with a book about the black experience... Anything by James Baldwin or Nikki Giovanni will do... Read about the Harlem Renaissance. Whatever you do... Play it loud or while you relax on the couch.
Because there are so many gems, I only left a few videos here for audio clips. I HIGHLY encourage you to check out the playlist on Apple Music:
"Music is the spiritual expression of what I am - my faith, my knowledge, my being" - John Coltrane
1. Chris Botti (ft. Jill Scott) - Good Morning Heartache
2. Amel Larrieux - You're My Thrill
3. Melody Gardot - Our Love Is Easy
4. Nils Wulker (ft. Jill Scott) - Worth the Wait
5. Robert Glasper - All Matter
6. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - In a Sentimental Mood
7. Nina Simone - Feeling Good
8. Robert Glasper (ft. Norah Jones) - Let It Ride
9. Robert Glasper (ft. Musiq Soulchild) - Ah Yeah
10. Erykah Badu - Green Eyes
11. Sonja Marie - And I Gave My Love to You
12. Chante Moore - Wey U
13. John Coltrane - Afro -Blue
14. Boney James (ft. Raheem DeVaughn) - Maker of Love
15. Melody Gardot - Worrisome Heart
16. Sabrina Claudio - Wait
17. IAMDDB - Urban Jazz
18. Sade - Haunt Me
19. Quincy Jones, James Moody, Brian McKnight Take 6 & Rachelle Ferrell - Moody's Mood for Love
20. Maxwell - Lonely's the Only Company (I &II)
21. Maxwell - The Suite Theme
22. Alicia Keys - Feeling U, Feeling Me
23. Moonchild - Be Free
24. George Benson - C-Smooth
25. Roy Hargrove & The RH Factor - Family
26. Chuck Inglish (ft. 10ille & Donnie Trumpet) - Off / Beat
27. Joonanji (ft. Copasetic & Lindsay Olsen) - Where Are You? (Love for JL)
28. Sade - Punch Drunk
29. Masego & Medasin - Sunday Vibes
30. D'angelo - Smooth
31. Moonchild - Ocean Deep
32. Yazmin Lacey - Morning Matters
33. Miles Davis - Blue in Green
34. John Coltrane - Summertme
35. Miles Davis - So What
36. B. Cool-Aid, Ahwlee & Pink Siiifu - Teach
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