Featured Jazz Videos

Wichita Lineman

hr-Bigband
Duration: 07:19
276 views

There have been so many beautiful jazzy renditions of “Wichita Lineman," composed by Jimmy Webb originally for country artist Glen Campbell. Bob Dylan called the piece “the greatest song ever written." Among the noteworthy covers are recordings pianist Fred Hersch, vocalist Cassandra Wilson, and a trio of Gregoire Maret (harmonica) / Romain Collin (piano) / Bill Frisell (guitar). This reviewer proposes that the most haunting of the jazzy renditions is actually from a large ensemble, the hr-Bigband (a.k.a. the Frankfurt Radio Big Band), featuring the renowned Kate McGarry and Theo Bleckmann on vocals. It opens with a thoughtful guitar solo over the most distinctive feeling in the song--a steady pulse of overlapping long notes, bouncing back and forth between the brass and winds. Kudos to arranger John Hollenbeck, whose commissioned work here shines a spotlight on the talents of the Frankfurt big band.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

A $10,000 Jazz Album Treasure Hunt

Charlie Porter
Duration: 1:43
331 views

This isn’t just great music. It’s a challenge! Hidden inside the 8 tracks of this album are 9 cryptic clues leading to a real-world treasure worth $10,000. Anyone can enter. Anyone can solve it. The first person to crack the code and uncover the treasure wins.

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Caravan

Nandi Bushell
Duration: 06:31
302 views

Watch young drummer Nandi Bushnell execute a stunning rendition of the classic “Caravan." Fast, clean, joyful, inspired. Born in 2010, she was roughly 14 when recording this piece. Impressed yet? Next, look for the YouTube video of Nandi playing all four horns in a saxophone quartet covering the TV theme from “The Simpsons." She also sings and plays keyboards, guitar and bass. Here’s to youth…

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Béla Fleck & Edmar Castañeda: Live at Big Ears Festival 2019

Bela Fleck
Duration: 44:04
439 views

Strike a victory for #alt-instrument-jazz ! This video features two absolute masters of their instruments, Béla Fleck on banjo and Edmar Castañeda on harp. Among the elements that might blow you away are: the opening groove established without percussion instruments; how the duo is locked in together across up-tempo lead lines and arpeggios (never having played together before); their ability to generate musical and emotional dynamics from instruments with limited volume range; and “watch me fly!" solos; Enjoy just the first song, “No Fear", through 08:15, or more pieces from “Live at Big Ears Festival 2019.”

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Live at Notsolatin

Julius Rodriguez
Duration: 44:04
362 views

Julius Rodriguez emerged as a prodigy (on piano as well as drums and bass) with his critically acclaimed first album, Sound Tell All (Verve Records, 2022). Certainly, his arpeggiated piano runs, distinctive turns of linear phrases, and waves of sound are ear-catching. Moreso, audiences cherish his performances because of the infectious energy he and his band bring to a combination of straight-ahead, New Orleans/gospel, and R&B styles. To experience this phenomenon, start with the video above: “Julius Rodriguez | Live at Notsolatin” for straight-ahead. Next, search for the generally more accessible “Julius Rodriguez | Tiny Desk Concert,” also on YouTube. With both videos, you can enjoy just the first song or kick back with the complete mini-concerts.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

DOCTONE: The Genius of Kenny Kirkland

Noah Haidu
Duration: 38:00
396 views

Doctone: The Genius of Kenny Kirkland is a moving and powerful 39-minute documentary film honoring the life, music, and legacy of modern jazz piano legend Kenny Kirkland. Known as “Doctone” to his peers, Kirkland was one of the most influential pianists and composers of his generation, shaping the sound of modern jazz, fusion, and contemporary music through his work with Sting, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett and Jeff “Tain” Watts.

Directed by Jeffrey Chuang and produced by Noah Haidu, this film features interviews, stories, and performances with world-class artists including Jeff Watts, Jason Moran, and members of the Marsalis family. Together they reveal Kenny Kirkland’s genius: his deep harmonic imagination, fearless improvisation, and powerful contributions to the evolution of modern jazz.

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Starlight Starbright

Eugenie Jones
Duration: 3:58
731 views

For Your GRAMMY® Consideration | Best Jazz Vocal Album - Eugenie | Best Jazz Performance - “Starlight Starbright"

“Starlight Starbright" is a believe-in-love again ballad. Produced by Lonnie Plaxico, the miracle of second chances is brought to life in this impassionately beautiful original ballad, with stirring cello and violin play emphatically supported by piano (Mamiko Wantanabe), bass (Lonnie Plaxico), & drums (Russell Carter).

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Olha Pro Ceu (feat. Selma Boragian)

Dan Fontaine & His Orchestra
Duration: 2:31
2,312 views

A stunning rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's bossa nova gem “Olha Pro Céu" was released in 2025, featuring Selma Boragian as special guest artist of Dan Fontaine & His Orchestra from Sydney. The song was originally released by Jobim on his first album for CTI Records, Wave (1967), arranged by Claus Ogerman.

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Billie and Trane

Tony Adamo
Duration: 4:05
1,030 views

Tony Adamo's single, 'Billie and Trane', is described as a jazz version of Gil Scott-Heron's original classic 'Lady Day and John Coltrane', with a “pulsing electro-jazz funk groove." Music written by Adamo.

Tony Adamo is a “hip-speak" spoken word vocal artist from the San Francisco area, known for incorporating his own “jazz history-class original lyrics" into his music. He is known as the original Hip spoken word storyteller in jazz music today. Adamo uses the framework of Gil Scott-Heron's song to add his own “jazz history-class original lyrics" to pay tribute to influential artists like Holiday and Coltrane. Adamo's work frequently references and honors jazz greats, showing his deep knowledge and respect for the genre. 'Billie and Trane', the legends the song is named for, are two of the most revered and influential figures in the history of jazz. Adamo's vocal power is most evident on this new single. A must listen. --Kentan Herd, My Life In Jazz

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Poetry: How Does It Feel Now???

Akua Naru
Duration: 07:55
10,947 views

The blending of jazz and poetry has been a deep, yet off-and-on affair. Peak periods of co-mingling include the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, the Beat Generation in the 1950s, the Black Arts Movement in the '60s and '70s, and hip hop starting in the '90s. Singer, composer, educator and activist Akua Naru takes this jazz/poetry blend intensely into the present. She has been compared to famous author Toni Morrison and has addressed topics including gender-based violence, the African diaspora and loving relationships. One of her defining pieces is the slow-burn “Poetry: How Does it Feel Now???" The lyrics declare “My, I wanna drink the sweat of your intellect; Reflect, and watch your light passion mark my neck… This right here is poetry." While enjoying the lyrics that start at 00:36, spend time appreciating the sax-fronted ambient groove.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.