Cool Jazz

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This Week —

There are two ways to play Jazz – you could either play Hot or play Cool. These two approaches to playing Jazz have been around since the beginning of Jazz, but it was only in the 1950’s that playing ‘cool’ became its very own genre in itself. Basically Hot Jazz is high-energy Jazz, while Cool Jazz is (relatively) low(er) energy Jazz. As parents, you can apply the same distinction to decide which kind of jazz to play for your kids. Hot Jazz is great for dancing and cheering up. Cool Jazz is great for dinnertime, reading, making art, and bathtime.

Listen To —

The first and most important cool jazz artist was trumpeter Miles Davis with his album Birth of the Cool. Other important cool jazz artists included in our playlist are Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. This playlist is as smooth as silk and, if accompanied by a large glass of wine, can also be an excellent choice for after the kids go to bed. 🍷✨

One Last Thought —

I recommend this wonderful children's book: Jazz ABZ by trumpet player Wynton Marsalis which celebrates the spirit of twenty-six stellar jazz performers - “A is for Almighty Louis Armstrong”. Another Marsalis gem is titled Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! - with infectious rhythm and rhyme, opens kids' ears to the sounds around us. This book relates all the noises and sounds around us to the sounds of the instruments in a jazz band.

Happy Jazzing!