What songs do jazz bands play?

Clients are often eager to know what songs will be performed by jazz bands at their events, and this can be a confusing question for people who are less familiar with the genre. Professional jazz musicians are expected to know 100s of tunes which they could perform at any given time - this gives them great flexibility and allows for bespoke performances tailored to each event.

Many jazz bands will be comfortable playing in a range of styles, including: swing (fast/slow), bossa nova, ballad, latin, trad, gypsy and more.

Tunes are often drawn from the Great American Songbook tradition - primarily show tunes from the early 20th century which have become standards through extensive recordings by the jazz greats. For inspiration, vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday, or horn players like Chet Baker, Stan Getz, and Dexter Gordon, will give a good sense of this repertoire.

Frank Sinatra popularised many tunes that would go on to become jazz "standards"

The London Jazz Duo has an extensive and diverse repertoire of standards, but has also fulfilled more specific client requests (music of Herbie Hancock, bossa nova evening, etc). We have also performed at more unusual events including gallery openings and wakes.

A sample list of tunes (subject to change) can be found below. We are usually happy to accomodate requests made in advance, but tricky requests may be subject to an additional fee.

Sample Song List

A Foggy Day

All Of Me

All Of You

All The Things You Are

All Too Soon

Almost Like Being In Love

Ain't Misbehavin

Autumn Leaves

A Weaver of Dreams

Barbados

Billie's Bounce

Blue Bossa

Change Partners

Corcovado

Darn That Dream

Days Of Wine And Roses

Deed I Do

Dewey Square

East Of The Sun

Fly Me To The Moon

Footprints

Girl From Ipanema

Have You Met Miss Jones

How About You

How Deep Is The Ocean

I Can't Give You Anything But Love

If I Were A Bell

I Hear A Rhapsody

I'm Confessin' That I Love You

I'm Through With Love

Indiana

It Could Happen To You

Just Friends

Like Someone In Love

Little Boat

L-O-V-E

Meditation

Moonlight In Vermont

My Little Suede Shoes

My Shining Hour

On A Slow Boat To China

On Green Dolphin Street

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Our Love Is Here To Stay

Out Of Nowhere

Pennies From Heaven

Polkadots And Moonbeams

Prelude To A Kiss

Recordame

Satin Doll

Slow Boat To China

Stars Fell On Alabama

Stella By Starlight

St Thomas

Sweet Georgia Brown

Take The Coltrane

Tangerine

Tea For Two

Tenderly

That Old Feeling

The Best Things In Live Are Free

The Theme

There Will Never Be Another You

The Very Thought Of You

They Can't Take That Away From Me

Things Ain't What They Used To Be

Triste

Turnaround

Weaver Of Dreams

What Is This Thing Called Love

What's New

Yesterdays

You Stepped Out Of A Dream

To discuss music for your own event, please contact the London Jazz Duo.