Smooth jazz for spring weddings?

March 2, 2013 3:11 AM

Looking for jazz tracks to play at a wedding in mid-march.

Hi jazz fans of metafilter. I am getting married in mid-March, very small wedding. Looking for suggestions of jazz tracks to play during a (very non-traditional) wedding, including a specific track for the entrance of the bride.

"Smooth" may be the wrong word - I am looking for discreet, subtle and warm / positive. Whilst I like jazz I am far from an afficionado. However, after thinking about it we don't want anything pop and classical feels too staid.

Thanks in advance!

posted by inbetweener to media & arts (13 answers total)

You can't go wrong with Miles Davis' "Blue".
posted by Specklet at 4:28 AM on March 2

Bands like Spyro Gyra and Weather Report -- while often derided for riding (and then falling over) the crest of the Adult Contemporary movement -- were nevertheless comprised of virtuoso musicians performing near the peak of their abilities. Album after album of glorious grooves.

Also check out The Nylons for very dashing interpretations of Big Band era favourites. I particularly like their version of "The Stars are Ours".
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:30 AM on March 2

Do you mind vocals or do you want all instrumental?

The Way You Look Tonight -- lots of good versions (Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Tony Bennett, etc.)

A Love Supreme -- John Coltrane Quartet

Body & Soul -- Coleman Hawkins and his Orchestra

Happiness Is -- Vince Guaraldi Trio

How about Diana Krall? Too pop? Lots of good tracks that are appropriate for a wedding. "Let's Fall in Love", "S Wonderful", "East of the Sun"

If you don't mind vocals, I have more suggestions.
posted by Fairchild at 6:40 AM on March 2

How about some George Benson? This might be a good one My personal fave is his version of Miles Davis' So What. Pat Metheny might also be good - perhaps The Way Up?
posted by leslies at 6:43 AM on March 2

"Smooth jazz" is probably not what you mean, yeah. That's, well, Weather Channel music. Lifeless funk/R&B grooves with pop-style sax on top.

If you use any Weather Report I'd suggest either of the beautiful ballads "A Remark You Made" or "Three Views Of A Secret". There's also a nice recording of the latter song on Jaco Pastorius' album "Word of Mouth", with chromatic harmonica. Let's see.....maybe some of the Stephane Grapelli "hot club du jazz" stuff would work well at a party. John Coltrane's "Naima" might make a nice bride entrance song.
posted by thelonius at 6:44 AM on March 2 [3 favorites]

"discreet, subtle and warm / positive"

Bill Evans Trio
posted by thelonius at 6:47 AM on March 2 [4 favorites]

I think you want jazz in the vein of Django Reinhardt. For our wedding, a low-key affair in December, we had a jazz trio playing his songs and others in the "hot club" style (including some Western swing favorites of ours). It was perfect--light-spirited, upbeat, and pleasantly old-timey.
posted by anonnymoose at 7:40 AM on March 2 [1 favorite]

P.S. Since you asked about non-traditional songs for the bride, I walked down the aisle to said trio playing "Hey, Good Lookin'" by Hank Williams. It's a sentimental one for my husband and me, but was also a big hit with everyone else.
posted by anonnymoose at 7:43 AM on March 2

Oh, a few years ago, I actually put together a 3 hour jazz playlist for a friend's wedding. I wish I still had it, as I'm sure there'd be options I'm forgetting now. Nevertheless, here's an idea

All The Things You Are is a beautiful song, which fits the occasion lyrically and has been arranged and performed by a great many jazz musicians. I'm quite fond of this Chet Baker Quartet recording, which strikes me as discreet, warm, and positive. But there are a great many additional versions too, one of which might strike your fancy as Chet's has struck mine.
posted by .kobayashi. at 8:36 AM on March 2

anything by the quartet west- by the way, you could try the Charlie Haden - Metheny record, Beyond the Missouri sky,
some abdullah ibrahim's trio tracks from capetown flower. (Not a trio track, but still very good stuff from Ibrahim here). Something by Michel Graillier. Of course, music from Thelonious Monk and Wes Montgomery.
posted by nicolin at 12:09 PM on March 2

Seconding the above suggestion for Wes Montgomery

Also Stan Getz
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 12:28 PM on March 2

Thanks for all the suggestions, am working my way through them.

@ Fairchild - yes vocals are fine... it's more the mood I'm specific about.
posted by inbetweener at 3:31 PM on March 2

We put together a brunch jazz playlist for our wedding that received many compliments. If anyone can tell me how to copy a song list out of iTunes, I will give it to you.
posted by elizeh at 3:44 PM on March 2