3 Inspiring Jazz Recordings For When You’re Demotivated

Here we have 3 inspiring jazz recordings that I’ve chosen to give you a boost when you’re feeling demotivated. Whether you’re feeling demotivated with your jazz playing and your practice, or whether the stresses of everyday life are getting you down, these clips will turn that frown upside down. As Art Blakey said “Jazz washes away the dust of every day life.”

1. Pharoah Sanders - Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah

This is Pharoah Sanders' opening saxophone solo from the piece of jazz music entitled "Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah", recorded in 1969. This song was a big inspiration to me when I was younger. I was not yet able to play like Charlie Parker or John Coltrane and I was struggling to find some motivation to keep me going. Feeling the pressure of trying to get to grips with fast, chromatic lines and chord substitutions, this song (and other Pharoah Sanders recordings) was a revelation and a big relief. It showed me another way of playing jazz and how it could be very expressive and spiritual - guided by melody and feeling.

2. Miles Davis - Blue In Green

This is Miles Davis' beautiful trumpet playing on the head of "Blue in Green" from the iconic album "Kind of Blue", recorded in 1959. I love the album and this song in particular. It has such a beautiful, ethereal quality. And the way Davis plays the head reminds us that it's not just the notes you play, but the way you play them. You can create a lot of expression and emotion by playing in a minimal way. I think it's important to remember this and to not be scared of playing less in your solos - sometimes less is more.

3. Gilad Atzmon - Autumn In Baghdad

This is an excerpt from "Autumn in Baghdad" by the jazz saxophonist Gilad Atzmon and The Orient House Ensemble, released in 2007. This jazz fusion recording, is a great example of using your personal life experiences and inspirations to create music that's meaningful. You can hear a lot of Arabic influences, but it's also mixed with modern jazz. Be true to yourself. Whether you prefer bebop, funk fusion or latin jazz doesn’t matter, it’s what you want to do that matters. What is it that brings you joy to play or listen to? Some people enjoy the crazy modern jazz and others love laid-back cool jazz.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post and these excerpts. In the world, there’s a whole lot of noise about what you should and shouldn’t be doing and enjoying. Particularly, in my experience, in jazz tuition you can feel overwhelmed with the thoughts of “I need to play a certain way to be good enough” or “you need to be able play such and such.” Well I say, to quote legendary vocalist Bobby McFerrin, “don’t worry, be happy.”