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I adore ballads. Both sorrowful and uplifting. I’m not an uptempo kind of guy.
I looking to build a repertoire of ballads and I’m seeking suggestions.
What are the “must-know” jazz ballads?
What are some lesser-known ballads that are worth knowing?
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A Child is Born
Round Midnight
Lover Man
Body and Soul
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You might like some of these:
Here’s That Rainy Day
I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face (Wes has a wonderful version on the album Full House)
Misty
Violets for Your Furs
Spring is Here
Flamingo
What’s New?
Don’t Blame Me
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Peace is a toughie but so beautiful.
Keith Jarrett's Coral is similar and similarly beautiful from the "off the beaten track" file cabinet.
Others not so well known:
A Nightengale Sang in Barkley Square
Some Enchanted Evening (from South Pacific)
Ellington's Meditation
Prelude to a Kiss
If Ever I would Leave You
Something Wonderful (from The King and I)
Something (Beatles)
I Will (Beatles)
And I Love Her
Those are all tunes I play a lot and they're always fresh.
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I would add to these already great suggestions “Spring can really hang you up the most.” It lays nicely on guitar. Johnny Smith, Kenny Burrell and Joe Diorio each have their own nice versions. Here’s Kenny Burrell’s:
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If you could see me now
Pannonica
Ask me now
It might as well be spring
Easy living
Alice in Wonderland
Si tu vois ma mere (Bechet)
Nancy with the smiling face
Here's that rainy day
I loves you Porgy
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Autumn Leaves
Misty
Stella by starlight
Body and soul
My Funny Valentine
Yesterdays
The Billie Holiday All of Me
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My Ideal is an all time fave.
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Thanks for everyone’s feedback.
There are lots of songs listed above that I hadn’t heard, but are beautiful and I can see myself adding them to my repertoire.
There is so much great music to play.
Thanks again.
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This one is rather beautiful:
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Polkadots and Moonbeams
Moonlight in Vermont
Nuages
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Old Folks
my dad taught me the tune some 44 years ago. He would even sing the words and that is when he explained knowing lyrics of a tune made you a better player. He is right but I don't always do that.
Blame it on My Youth.
Tenderly
When Sunny Gets Blue
Bill Barker taught me that tune again over 40 years ago. He would allow me to play his Barker during the lessons.
Barney Kessel sketch
Yesterday, 09:53 PM in Everything Else