The sunday morning Jazz Express

Look, I get it. Jazz isn’t for everyone. Some of it can feel pretentious, or challenging, or 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 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 hot pot 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? The sun is stillrising, it’s cool, it’s crisp, and everyone in your house is still sleeping. So what? So, you need that first steaming cup of coffee. 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 brewing in your French press. It’s the best kind of easy listening, just enough tempo to get the blood flowing, the wheels going. 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, get things moving quicker, but it isn’t going to challenge you in a way that is jarring. It’s going to keep that crescendo moving as you finish that first cup.

Stop 3:
Cannonball Adderley – Somethin’ Else - 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, nicely arranged, vertuoso jazz from Cannonball Adderley. Maybe you’re starting to hit your pace a bit now, throw in a slice of toast and honey. This song is as smooth as butter and it’s going to prime you for that second cup of coffee.

Stop 4:
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane – Duke Ellington and 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, and Angelica feels like what you might hear playing in the background at an upscale bistro, and why not? That’s the vibe you need right now! This may be the most challenging of the bunch, but that’s not really saying much. You’re up for it! It’s more about matching the energy as you flip through a good book.

Stop 5:
Thelonious Monk – Straight, No Chaser – 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 morning go-tos. 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 it again sometime.

Bonus Content: Did you take the Sunday Morning Jazz Express? Send me a picture showing your coffee with one of these songs, and you could win a free 320gm bag of Good Morning, Captain medium roast.