Featured Jazz Videos

Matteo Mancuso: The Chicken

Matteo Mancuso
Duration: 4:38
2,721 views

Let's play a game of Chicken! Namely, which musician or band has recorded the most exciting version of the funk/soul song “The Chicken"? One candidate is bassist and sometimes big band leader, the late, great Jaco Pastorius. However, a strong case can be made that the most chops-intensive version comes from guitarist Matteo Mancuso with bassist Riccardo Oliva and drummer Salvatore Lima. They open at a blazing tempo of 150 bpm, upon which Mancuso ignites a 16th-note running solo, which he picks with his fingers. Oliva and Lima follow suit with their own solos. Mancuso's first viral video, featuring this song when he was age 20, would have been enough to garner raves from Al DiMeola and Steve Vai, but the Italian guitarist continues to develop. Also, look for his recording of the original composition “Paul Position" on YouTube.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

In the Autumn Years

Greg Nathan
Duration: 5:36
786 views

The title track from the album In the Autumn Years was released worldwide on July 15th, 2024. That title track is the music used for the above lyric video.

The song “In the Autumn Years" has music and lyrics written by Charles Nathan (1921-2012), who was recognized by BMI in 1953 with a Certificate of Achievement for the “great national popularity" of the melody he wrote for “Say You're Mine Again," one of Perry Como's greatest hits.

Here, then, is the solo jazz-piano presentation of another well-written melody by Charles, including words and majestic fall images (SMP's first lyric video).

Make sure to click on the “Buy Now" button below to see the download sale for the album “In the Autumn Years." This incredible sale is this weekend only, so don't miss it!

Enjoy!

Esperanza Spalding: Jazz Ain't Nothin' But Soul

Esperanza Spalding
Duration: 6:00
1,236 views

Bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding is a jazz wunderkind. After initially proving her chops with scat vocals and walking bass line, she steadily added punctuations of voices on top of horns a la neo-big band music, funk, electronics, art rock, odd meters, song poems, chanting, chamber music and more. By combining a palette of these elements on a thematic recording project, Spalding now simply “does Esperanza." Still, there is tremendous joy to be realized in listening to her early, live, hard swinging performances, such as “Jazz Ain't Nothin' But Soul." For more pleasure, compare this to Betty Carter's popular version from the '60s and the highly experimental remix by Melanie Charles.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Wasn't It Wonderful

Amber Weekes
Duration: 3:16
699 views

Inspired by a rich personal journey rooted in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem, Amber’s latest album features 13 soulful tracks celebrating the legendary Nancy Wilson. Expect an album brimming with the sounds of romance and whispers of magic, punctuated by captivating tales showcasing the multitude of moods and stylistic range of Nancy Wilson’s storied career, from the sassy swing and romp to the sensuality of the bossa nova groove; from the sound and energy of the orchestrated big band energy to the tender, pointed ballad. It all comes together as Amber plays homage to Nancy Wilson’s brilliant, socially conscious, and often comical storytelling.

Dive Into The Deep Blue

Ithamara Koorax
Duration: 5:18
896 views

The second single from Gustavo Cysne’s debut solo album (scheduled for release in late 2024): a romantic & contemporary bossa nova featuring Ithamara Koorax on vocals (for several years voted one of the best jazz singers by DownBeat magazine) and an orchestral arrangement a la Claus Ogerman. The song sounds like a standard, in a sophisticated mood. Produced by Arnaldo DeSouteiro (João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Deodato, Herbie Hancock), featuring Sergio Barroso on bass (Sarah Vaughan).

Mayuko Katakura Quintet Live from Body & Soul in Tokyo

Mayuko Katakura
Duration: 3:28
829 views

Mayuko Katakura's latest stage performance, a duo concert at Oh!Jazz. Mayuko Katakura is a pianist with a world-class musical background, one of the top jazz musicians in Japan. She is known for her thorough stage presence, and her compositional preparation and team bookings are flawless.

This time, Mayuko Katakura will lead the two- wind quintet on this valuable stage.

Mayuko promises to captivate with her original compositions. In her own words, she shares, “I'll express my thoughts toward the jazz quintet through music with my own words." Don't miss this extraordinary musical journey!

After the Love Has Gone

Jake Reichbart
Duration: 3:38
934 views

Fingerstyle guitarist Jake Reichbart is a legend on YouTube, known for his 1,600+ videos performing solo jazz tunes and pop remakes. Each of his arrangements employ fresh voicings and unique frettings to achieve a full band-like sound under the melody. Michigan-based Reichbart also hosts live song request sessions on YouTube. Enjoy his soulful sound, usually on an Ibanez AG75 hollow-body guitar, at any time of day. Here, he covers Earth, Wind and Fire's “After the Love Has Gone."

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Caramelo de Cuba Live from Cafe Berlin, Madrid

Caramelo de Cuba
Duration: 2:54
1,123 views

Javier Gutiérrez Massó, also known as “Caramelo de Cuba", is one of the main names on the current scene of Jazz, Latin Jazz and Flamenco Latin Jazz.

Caramelo returns to Café Berlín to give us an exquisite concert in which they will take a tour of almost all the genres and composers of Cuban music, proposing an interpretation that is nourished by the contemporary from the base of a deep knowledge of tradition. Top-level Latin Jazz by three musical geniuses that guarantee an unforgettable evening.

Awakening

Yosef Gutman Levitt
Duration: 2:27
590 views

Magical, spiritual journey of “Nigun 551," a spacious conversation between bassist and composer Yosef Gutman and guitarist Gilad Hekselman together with Ofri Nehemya. This enchanting melody of Rav Ginsburgh's is part of Yosef's ongoing exploration of Nigunim—melodies rooted in Chassidut.

Thank you to Gilad and Ofri for the joyous creative experience together in the studio.

Lingus (We Like It Here)

Snarky Puppy
Duration: 10:43
2,444 views

Snarky Puppy is world-renowned for their original jazz-funk-fusion composition. They are especially impressive live, where they wow audiences with crisp horns, raw guitar, weighty bass, odd time-signatures and genius-level drum patterns and keyboard solos.

“Lingus (We Like It Here)” is unarguably one of their greatest hits, recorded in front of a live audience listening via headphones. The piece includes all the elements that make the band great. Be sure not to miss the mind-blowing keyboard solo by Corey Henry from [4:23].

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.