The sunday morning Jazz Express
Look, I get it. Jazz isn’t for everyone. It can be pretentious, challenging, and just straight up bizarre. But, hear me out. If you’re new to jazz, not sure you like it, or just want to try a fun morning experiment, take this jazz express journey with me. We’re going to walk through five songs that pair beautifully with a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning. So fire up the kettle, grind some beans, make yourself a french press and let’s jump on the Sunday Morning Jazz Express:
Stop 1:
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue - So What
Alright, you’re grinding your coffee, you just woke up, kind of tired, so what? So, you need that delicious cup of coffee. The sun is still rising, it’s cool, it’s crisp, and everyone in your house is still sleeping. Your first stop is ‘So What’ by Miles Davis. This is going to ease you into our journey, you’re going to start to feel some pep in your step, you’re going to smell those coffee beans in your french press. It’s the best kind of easy listening, just enough tempo to get the blood flowing, get ready..you’re about to start your day off the best way possible.
Stop 2:
Thelonious Monk - Monk’s Dream - Take 8
Okay. You’ve got your coffee and you’re now sitting down in your favourite chair. You’re enjoying those first few sips and you need something that matches the energy that’s starting to pulse through your veins. Enter Thelonious Monk. A literal wizard of a composer and pianist. He’s going to keep that tempo going, but it isn’t going to challenge you in a way that is upsetting. It’s going to keep that crescendo as you finish that first cup.
Stop 3:
Cannonball Adderley - One for Daddy-O
You need a refill on your coffee, and as you’re pouring another cup you need a nice interlude, nothing crazy just some well timed, well arranged, well played jazz from Cannonball Adderley. Maybe you’re pacing a bit now, need to throw in a slice of toast and honey. This song is as smooth as butter and it’s going to get you ready for that second cup of coffee in the kitchen.
Stop 4:
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - Angelica
You’re two cups in, and feeling lively. You need something a bit more upbeat to keep your morning energy up. The sun is shining the day is about to really get going, Angelica feels like what you might hear in the background of an upscale bistro, and why not that’s the vibe you need right now! Maybe this is the most challenging of the bunch, but that’s not really saying much. It’s more about matching that energy as you flip through your favourite book or newspaper.
Stop 5:
Thelonious Monk - Straight No Chaser
As we round the bend for our final song on this Sunday morning express, we’re going to visit a familiar face. It’s Thelonious Monk to finish us off. After Angelica you need something that is still jaunty but maybe just a touch more relaxed. We’re not trying to get crazy here! Straight No Chaser is the perfect ending on this mini jazz journey. It’s smooth, easy, and has enough sax and piano to keep your toes tapping as you finish off that second cup of coffee.
Well that does it, a quick five stop song journey through a few of my favourites. You could call this my Sunday morning ritual. A quick spot of jazz with several cups of black coffee. I hope you enjoyed yourself on the Sunday Morning Jazz Express. Let’s do that again sometime.