Last week we started a new series of articles on Teen Jazz where we answered some of our readers’ questions. One of the questions was “What songs should I learn for jam sessions?”
To answer the question I initially threw together a list of songs that I’ve heard or played at jam sessions, but I knew that wouldn’t be enough, so I decided to ask a few of my musician friends what they thought should be on the list. Needless to say, the response was overwhelming and a great list of songs came in.
I knew then that I had to write another post specifically dedicated to songs you should learn for jam sessions. I’d like to send a special thanks out to Ryan Saranich, Sean Winter, Tim Price, Cameron Smith, Curtis Brooks, and Jas Miller.
Without further ado, here are the suggested songs to learn for jam sessions. If you feel anything is missing from the list, I’d love it if you left a comment with the name of the tune!
And don’t forget – you can’t go wrong learning blues and/or rhythm changes in different keys!
FOR THE BEGINNER:
- All Blues
- Autumn Leaves
- Billie’s Bounce
- Blue Bossa
- C Jam Blues
- Equinox
- Four
- The Girl from Ipanema
- Maiden Voyage
- Mr. PC
- Now’s the Time
- In a Sentimental Mood
- Some Day My Prince Will Come
- Song For My Father
- Straight, No Chaser
- Sugar
- Summertime
JAZZ STANDARDS:
- All Of Me
- All The Things You Are
- Anthropology
- Au Privave
- Beautiful Love
- Beauty And The Beast
- Black Orpheus
- Blue In Green
- Blue Monk
- Blue Train
- Blues For Alice
- Bluesette
- Body And Soul
- Bye Bye BlackBird
- Caravan
- Ceora
- Cherokee
- Confirmation
- Darn That Dream
- Desafinado
- Dolphin Dance
- A Foggy Day
- Footprints 3/4
- Freddie Freeloader
- Freedom Jazz Dance
- Giant Steps
- Goodbye, Pork Pie Hat
- Have You Met Miss Jones
- I Mean You
- I Remember Clifford
- I Thought About You
- If I Were A Bell
- Impressions
- In Walked Bud
- Just Friends
- Killer Joe
- Lady Bird
- Lullaby Of Birdland
- Misty
- Moment’s Notice
- My Favorite Things
- My Funny Valentine
- My Romance
- Naima
- A Night In Tunisia
- Nica’s Dream
- Nostalgia In Times Square
- Oleo
- On Green Dolphin Street
- Ornithology
- Recorda Me
- Red Clay
- Round Midnight
- St. Thomas
- Satin Doll
- Scrapple From The Apple
- The Sidewinder
- So What
- Solar
- Speak No Evil
- Stella By Starlight
- Stolen Moments
- Take The “A” Train
- There Is No Greater Love
- There Will Never be Another You
- Up Jumped Spring
- Waltz For Debby
- Wave
- Well, You Needn’t
- When I Fall In Love
- Yardbird Suite
FUNKY STUFF:
- Always There
- Cantaloupe Island
- Chameleon
- Cold Duck Time
- Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
- Pick Up the Pieces
- Superstition
- Tequila
- What You Won’t Do For Love
- What’s Goin’ On
Did you like this list? If you did, we have a few more resources on jam sessions. Check out Why You Should Attend Jam Sessions, Rules for Jam Sessions and our Jam Session Directory.
Photo by Robert L Harris Sr.