Featured Jazz Videos

Frisell Plays Lennon - NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Bill Frisell
Duration: 19:59
1,866 views

Among the many mellifluous jazz/fusion/ambient guitarists that have graced the scene, Bill Frisell has without doubt one of the most unique sounds. In this NPR (National Public Radio) “Tiny Desk" office concert, Frisell pays homage to John Lennon by interpreting classics like “Nowhere Man." Listen to this mini-set for inspiration on how to apply effects boxes to guitar sounds or simply to appreciate breath-taking beauty. For more technical insight into Frisell's sound, search Youtube for the video “Bill Frisell – Effects Pedal Demonstration."

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Make Someone Happy

Maria Puga Lareo
Duration: 3:17
2,419 views

Maria Puga Lareo opens her new album My Universe with a cinematic and deeply felt interpretation of this timeless standard. Her warm, expressive voice is beautifully framed by a masterfully crafted orchestral arrangement from GRAMMY-winner Nan Schwartz, whose artistic vision and nuanced pacing bring new emotional resonance to the song. Recorded with a Hollywood string section, this rendition is a celebration of love as life’s truest measure.

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Empress Afternoon

Artemis
Duration: 05:07
1,457 views

Artemis is an all-star group that is brimming with musicality and technique. It happens that the group is all-female. The band members’ each are first-call performers: Renee Rosnes on piano, Ingrid Jensen on trumpet, Nicole Glover on tenor sax, Allison Miller on drums, Noriko Ueda on bass, and—in different time periods—Anat Cohen or Alexa Tarantino on additional woodwinds. Several members share compositional duties, but what connects their songs is an intense energy as well as appealing lead lines that are catchy while sounding outside-the-box. On “Empress Afternoon," Rosnes has rearranged her piece from the early 2000s to make the most of a robust horn section and set the tune alight.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Utopia

Hiromi
Duration: 13:20
1,146 views

Hiromi is a master, even a “monster," on piano and jazz keyboards. She can drop a fistful of notes, then reference a composer like Bach or Gershwin, then set up an R&B groove, seemingly in the blink of an eye. The most mesmerizing element of her performances is the joy she exhibits when collaborating with a partner or her band. Beginning 2023, the pianist hand-picked a backing trio, now called Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, that could effortlessly follow and enliven her adventures. On “Utopia," check out her interplay with bassist Hadrien Ferau, which—wait for it—builds steadily into an all-band vamp, guided by trumpeter Adam O'Farrill. After watching the video, you can read a review of the band in concert via Hiromi's Sonicwonder At SFJAZZ.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Impressions

Eric Dolphy
Duration: 05:51
980 views

Eric Dolphy was a multi-woodwind giant, performing on alto sax, flute , clarinet, bass clarinet and baritone sax. His sound in the 1950s and 1960s was energetic and adventurous, featuring flurries and squawks, overtones and voice-like patterns, which helped to define free/avant-garde jazz. In this video of John Coltrane's “Impressions," Coltrane first displays his signature modal improvisation on tenor, starting at 00:18. Then, at 02:44. Dolphy simply takes off on alto sax. Suffice to say, they come across at least as equals. Dolphy was born June 20, 1928 and passed away on June 29, 1964, due to complications of diabetes.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Tatomania

Chucho Valdes
Duration: 04:25
673 views

"Tatomanía," by master Afro-Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés and backing trio, is a joyride in which the band literally never skips a beat. Valdés retains all the compositional freshness, percussive flare, and latin/jazz/classical influences that made him stand out for 60-plus years. On this piece, named after his percussionist, Roberto Jr. Vizcaíno Torre—or simply “Tato”—it’s the blended blur of bongos and drum kit that makes the music riveting. The entire album, Cuba and Beyond, merited a Grammy award nomination in 2024. Valdés also was named a U.S. 2025 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.

Recommended by Scott Lichtman.

Music Is Life

Butter And The Genre
Duration: 7:13
1,265 views

Butter and the Genre blends jazz, soul, and funk into something bold, emotional, and alive. Their breakout single, “Music Is Life,” fuses rich horns, and raw live energy into a vibrant celebration of creativity and connection. Filmed like a short film and recorded independently, the video is semi-based on a true story—Butter met each band member at the 51st Speakeasy in Oklahoma, where their musical chemistry first sparked. The result captures generational talent and real-life authenticity, proving that real music still lives and breathes.

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

How've You Been?

Toni Jannotta
Duration: 5:53
1,363 views

They say your personal stories are the hardest to produce and the ones people most resonate with. This is the song/story of how I walked into my marriage after 40+ years of being single. It took guts and a great guy. Thank you for watching. Please note: Greg Gordon Smith, piano; Larry Steen, bass; Chris Wabich, drums, Scheila Gonzalez, sop sax, Erik Chapman, cello, and Yours Truly, violin. Video by Chris Jensen. Aerial photography by Guy White.

Recommended by Michael Ricci.

Song for my Father

Horace Silver
Duration: 18:55
1,187 views

What makes the stylings of pianist Horace Silver so identifiable? To begin with, he crafted strong bass patterns that had a weighty pulse to them. For example, his most well-known piece, “Song for my Father," was based on a bossa nova feel but reminds one less of the delicate standard “Girl from Ipanema" and more the catchy Steely Dan pop hook from “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number" (which was inspired by “Father"). In addition, he would carefully compose heads that were intended to be memorable. Finally, hints of the blues and gospel elevated his songs to reflect on the human condition. With this video being presented on AAJ on Father's Day, it's appropriate to pause and enjoy an extended performance of a standard that Silver wrote for his dad. (Music begins at 0:45.)

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A Song for You (Gnossienne No. 1)

Tessa Souter
Duration: 4:55
1,312 views

The first single from Tessa Souter's new album Shadows and Silence: The Erik Satie Project. Arranged by Luis Perdomo. Lyrics by Tessa Souter. Luis Perdomo (piano and percussion), Yasushi Nakamura (bass), Billy Drummond (drums and cymbals). Album out June 27

Recommended by Michael Ricci.