Home » Surveys » What are the three saddest jazz songs recorded between 1939-1969?
What are the three saddest jazz songs recorded between 1939-1969?
We’re limiting the years to 1939-1969, a period that is widely considered the "Golden Age of Jazz."
Tip: Identify one, two or three songs, and enter the song and the name of the artist and, if possible, the recording as follows: "Blue in Green" by Miles Davis, from Kind of Blue. Also, list more “mainstream” pieces that other jazz fans would likely recognize.
32 members took part in the survey.
Song #1

Michael Ricci
"Peace Piece" by Bill Evans from Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Kurt Ellenberger
Jade Visions by Bill Evans trio, Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Richard J Salvucci
Strange Fruit Billie Holliday

Wilma Baan
Would You Believe

Alan Bryson
"Hawk Talk", Coleman Hawkins

Chas. Allan
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday, from Strange Fruit (single) 1939

Raymond Byabazaire
"Darn That Dream" by Miles Davis (featuring Kenny Hagood ) on Miles' "Birth Of The Cool" album - 1949.

Artur Moral
"Lonely Woman" by Ornette Coleman, from The Shape Of Jazz To Come.
Daniel Schneider
Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday

Eugene Coderre
Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday (1939)
Noelle Goforth
Angel Eyes by Ella Fitzgerald (1957 version)
Charles Timberlake
Cry Me a River
Mark Huffman
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
reu johnson
"Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday

Scott Lichtman
Round Midnight

Gloria Krolak
"Goodbye" by Chet Baker from Chet Baker Ensemble

Steve Plever
"Round Midnight" by Miles Davis from Collectors Items (Prestige) - with Sonny Rollins & Charlie Parker on tenor!

Ellen Davis
Someone to Watch over Me

Roberto Barahona
For all we know Chet Baker (tp,vcl) Harold Danko (p) Jon Burr (b) Ben Riley (d) Monster, Holland, December 17 & 18, 1986
Albert Nasta
Strange Fruit

Joseph Gold
You Must Believe in Spring

Peter Anthony Beckford
You know i care - Joe Henderson
Alain Robert
In my solitude, by Billie Holiday or Dr. John

H William Stine
Strang Fruit - Billie Holiday - numerous recordings

John Hughes
Every time we say goodbye, by Ella Fitzgerald ( I saw her her sing it at Manchester Free Trade Hall and a tear fell)

Akos Toth
"It Never Entered My Mind" by Stan Getz, from Cool Velvet

Ashia Ackov
Billie Holliday -Strange Fruit
Jim Christopher
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
Jose Tallaj
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

Eric M. Brewington
"Here's That Rainy Day" by Freddie Hubbard from Straight Life

Michael Redman
“Alabama” by John Coltrane from Live at Birdland

Pablo Todo Ballester
"Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday
Song #2

Michael Ricci
"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by Charles Mingus from Mingus Ah Um

Kurt Ellenberger
Blue in Green by Miles Davis, Kind of Blue

Richard J Salvucci
Gloomy Sunday Billie Holiday

Wilma Baan
Don’t Misunderstand

Alan Bryson
"A Certain Sadness" - Astrud Gilberto

Chas. Allan
"In a Sentimental Mood" by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, from Duke Ellington & John Coltrane

Raymond Byabazaire
The End Of A Love Affair" by Chaka Khan on her 1988 album "ck".

Artur Moral
"Blood Count" by Duke Ellington And His Orchestra , from "...And His Mother Called Him Bill".

Eugene Coderre
Alabama - John Coltrane
Noelle Goforth
Cry Me a River by Julie London
Charles Timberlake
Blues in the Night
Mark Huffman
Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn
reu johnson
"Guess who I saw today" by Nancy Wilson

Scott Lichtman
Spring can really hang you up the most

Gloria Krolak
"Angel Eyes" by Matt Dennis from Matt Dennis Plays and Sings

Ellen Davis
Good Morning Heartache
Albert Nasta
Angel Eyes

Joseph Gold
My Funny Valentine

Peter Anthony Beckford
Poor Eric - Jackie McClean
Alain Robert
Strange fruit, by B.H.

H William Stine
The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men - Johnny Hartman - This One’s For Tedi I

John Hughes
Tangled up in blue, by Bab Dylan. Always gets to me

Akos Toth
"Thanks For The Memory" by Serge Chaloff, from Blue Serge
Jose Tallaj
I Remember Clifford

Eric M. Brewington
"I'm a Fool to Want You" by Donald Bryd from Royal Flush

Michael Redman
“I Cover the Waterfront” by Billie Holiday from The Essential Billie Holiday: Carnegie Hall Concert Recorded Live

Pablo Todo Ballester
"Body and Soul" by Coleman Hawkins
Song #3

Michael Ricci
"Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday from Lady Sings The Blues

Kurt Ellenberger
My Funny Valentine by Chet Baker, Chet Baker Sings/Best of

Richard J Salvucci
Lover Man Charlie Parker

Wilma Baan
Lush Life

Alan Bryson
"Like It Is" - Yusef Lateef

Chas. Allan
"My Funny Valentine" by Chet Baker, from Chet Baker Sings

Raymond Byabazaire
"To Whom It May Concern" by Natalie Cole on her 1996 "Stardust" album.

Artur Moral
"Alabama" by John Coltrane, from Live At Birdland.

Eugene Coderre
Lanquidity - Sun Ra
Noelle Goforth
Darn That Dream by Sarah Vaughan (1958)
Charles Timberlake
I Remember April
reu johnson
"I can get along without you very well (Except Sometimes) by Chet Baker

Scott Lichtman
Lonely Woman (H. Silver)

Gloria Krolak
Guess Who I Saw Today? by Nancy Wilson from The Best of Nancy Wilson

Ellen Davis
Lover Man
Albert Nasta
Spring Is Here

Joseph Gold
Autumn Leaves

Peter Anthony Beckford
Teru - Wayne Shorter
Alain Robert
Alabama, by John Coltrane

H William Stine
I Get Along Without You Very Well - Ellen Andersson - You Could Have Told Me

John Hughes
Gillian Welch, Dark turn of mind. They joke about the sad songs when you see them live

Akos Toth
"A Taste of Honey" by Chet Baker, from Baby Breeze
Jose Tallaj
Infant Eyes

Michael Redman
“Left Alone”by Eric Dolphy from Far Cry

Pablo Todo Ballester
"Prelude In E Minor" Composed By Chopin, interpreted by Gerry Mulligan