Jazzwax List: 8 Hip Rockers

Jazz versions of rock hits usually bomb. In most cases, the results sound like music played at a wedding reception, convention center or worse. But in a handful of cases, the union worked, especially when the rock tune, the arrangement and the instrumentalist's feel came together. Readers certainly have favorites of their own. Please add them to this post's Comments section so all can read and share. [Photo by Diane Arbus]

Here are eight of my favorite lesser-known jazz covers of rock hits:

Light My Fire—Wynton Kelly. From Last Trio Session (1968), featuring Paul Chambers (b) and Jimmy Cobb (d).

I Want to Hold Your Hand—Grant Green. From I Want to Hold Your Hand (1965), featuring Hank Mobley (ts) Larry Young (org) and Elvin Jones (d).

Up, Up and Away—Sonny Criss. From Up, Up and Away (1967), featuring Cedar Walton (p), Tal Farlow (g), Bob Cranshaw (b) and Lennie McBrowne (d).

Mother's Little Helper—Joe Pass. From The Stones Jazz (1966), with Tommy Pederson (tb), Vern Friley (v-tb), Bill Perkins (ts), Victor Feldman (vib), Herbie Harper (p), Dennis Budimir (g), Chuck Berghofer (b), Frank Capp (d) and Bob Florence (arr,cond).

Mr. Tambourine Man—Gerry Mulligan. From If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em (1965), featuring Pete Jolly (p), John Gray (g), Jimmy Bond (b) and Hal Blaine (d).

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is—Grant Green. From Visions (1971), featuring Wooten (vib), Emmanuel Riggins (el-p), Chuck Rainey (el-b), Idris Muhammad (d) and Ray Armando (cga).

So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright—Paul Desmond. From Bridge Over Troubled Water (1969), featuring Herbie Hancock (el-p) Sam Brown (g), Ron Carter (b), Joao Palma, Bill Lavorgna (d), Airto Moreira (perc), plus horns and strings, and Don Sebesky (arr).

End of the World—Bud Shank and Chet Baker. From California Dreamin' (1966), featuring an unknown a choir and band.