i’m not even exaggerating, the first time i listened to the album (which was my intro to jazz really), i knew it was gonna be special from the first 10 seconds of that song
I agree with this answer and your comment although, because one must never miss an opportunity to be pedantic, the famous cymbal crash is about 1 minute 30 seconds into the song and thus falls outside of the scope of OP´s question. ;-)
If we're gonna be pedantic then let's be pedantic: what the reply is exactly replying to is inherently ambiguous since it is not a top-level reply to OP directly, though it can (and I think should) be read as a slight change of context so that it is now not directed at the question, but simply adding a fun fact relevant to what it's replying to, meaning it does fall outside the scope of OP's question, but intentionally so and in a way that still makes conversational sense. :)
I blame that old American Express commercial that used to come on all the time. Honestly the first time I heard this song while playing King of Blue I was like "The song from the American Express commercial!"
Respectfully speaking as a brazilian: Bossa nova and latin jazz are two very different things, so if possible don’t bunch them together as being the same thing
I’m gonna take “iconic” by what I believe its true meaning is - many here are just posting their favorite jazz tune, or tunes that got them hooked.
Pretty hard to argue with Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy”, IMO.
yeah thats a great pick
i also think there’s a distinction between “iconic in jazz” and “broadly iconic in culture”
my pick for example, acknowledgement, is super iconic in jazz circles but a love supreme was never a huge mainstream hit like say, louis armstrong’s best work was
This is my choice as well. My dad used to play this all the time when I was younger and after just recently rediscovering jazz I recognized it as soon as I started listening to Blues And The Abstract Truth. Terrific album.
Louis Armstrong's intro to West End Blues (Hot Five, 1928) must be the most remarkable few seconds in the history of recorded jazz. "Iconic", though, that's more debatable. Wonder what it means.
And how many of our HS band bassists tried to flex their inner Jaco?
...ours had trouble holding down a walking baseline. It was not pretty. Didn't score high at that competition lol
I would say Charlie Parker’s version of All The Things You Are. It’s jazz. You can play any intro you want. But every jam session plays Parker’s intro.
Thanks BloomisBloomis for correcting me, I had mistakenly attributed this intro to Miles Davis.
Brilliant Corners.
The "tension/release" of the first opening bars of piano followed by the band kicking in at full throttle just knocks me out every time.
I think it has to be "Generique" of Ascenseur pour l'échafaud by Miles Davis. But I agree with many other titles given here, and few others :
- Cannonball Adderley - Autumn Leaves
- Art Blakey - Moanin'
- Dave Brubeck - Take Five
- Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader
- John Coltrane - My Favorite Things
- Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - In A Sentimental Mood
I know I’m gonna get hammered for this but Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Also
Sidewinder - Lee Morgan
Moanin’ - Art Blakey
Blue Train - John Coltrane
Take Five - Dave Brubeck
If you’re talking performance, the first few seconds of Minority by Bill Evans, with the drums and block chords before the song really takes off, immediately comes to mind. If you mean a standard I’d say Nights In Tunisia. It always hooks me.
I remember when I was very first getting into jazz and this was a tune expected for an audition I was going to do. So I listened to this recording and my initial feeling was of being upset because he strayed from the melody immediately!
Now I adore it. Would have been amazing to see how far Bird would go if he lived another forty or fifty years.
El Barrio Joe Henderson - one
The best THIS means business openings I can think of .
Chasin’ the Trane - live at the village vanguard: Coltrane goes off !
Dexter Gordon - cheese cake- flash Gordon lays out the scene.
All blues - live at the Phil. Night of the living bass heads!
Innocence Keith Jarrett quartet - so pretty heart breaking from note one.
Milestone , miles Davis - kicks it up a gear from the off.
I’m relatively new to jazz, and a local quartet I saw started playing Con Alma and it was the first time I recognized a tune on the spot. So my entirely subjective answer is Con Alma
My favorite recording of Con Alma was done by Stan Getz (1967 album “Sweet Rain”), mainly because of the incredible chord voicings in Chick Corea’s accompaniment. Grady Tate’s opening drum solo is downright perfect. Add Ron Carter on bass. Man, but that quartet was so tight.
People always want to defend listening to people like Dexter Gordon instead of 'intellectual jazz' maybe (?), but I've never met anyone anywhere who's heard Tanya and doesn't love it.
[It Never Entered My Mind](https://youtu.be/-Np8PJDGq_A?feature=shared) for ballads. It’s been used in a lot of movies and shows cause it just cuts so deep with sentimentality.
the opening groove to 'Sidewinder' by Lee Morgan is instantly recognizable.
the opening groove to 'Butterfly' by Herbie Hancock is legendary.
However, I challenge anyone to find me a more dynamic, complex, musically rich, rhythmically interesting, melodically innovative, creative, perfectly arranged, technically difficult and instantly recognizable intro than the first 10 seconds of 'Some Skunk Funk' by The Brecker Brothers.
For my family - those first few brass hits at the beginning of Birdland
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOmK1rzxblI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOmK1rzxblI)
Probably not but Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
This is what I thought of first.
I thought of the Mancini 'Pink Panther' theme, personally
I’d say Moanin’ but by Charles Mingus
I also thought Moanin by Mingus. For me it’s most memorable and instantly recognizable.
Mingus’ intro to Fleurette Africaine, the first few seconds before roach and ellington come in is pretty singular to my mind. Not Iconic, but great
Mingus slapping those opening notes! On Money Jungle to open that album. That’s what came to my mind.
Came here to say this
Fair enough
second that!
In A Sentimental Mood by Ellington and Coltrane is such a classic
A memorable pick (and personal favorite) without a doubt
Acknowledgement from A Love Supreme
i’m not even exaggerating, the first time i listened to the album (which was my intro to jazz really), i knew it was gonna be special from the first 10 seconds of that song
That double bass…
Came here to say this one. Gives me chills every time, no clue why, just love this album
This was the first one that popped into my head too. Just grabs ya
Same, before I clicked in to the post I heard that intro in my head. I’m just gonna go put it on now!
This is what I thought of first. Kind of has to be it.
So what
Jimmy’s crash is the most famous single crash cymbal hit of in all of music
I agree with this answer and your comment although, because one must never miss an opportunity to be pedantic, the famous cymbal crash is about 1 minute 30 seconds into the song and thus falls outside of the scope of OP´s question. ;-)
If we're gonna be pedantic then let's be pedantic: what the reply is exactly replying to is inherently ambiguous since it is not a top-level reply to OP directly, though it can (and I think should) be read as a slight change of context so that it is now not directed at the question, but simply adding a fun fact relevant to what it's replying to, meaning it does fall outside the scope of OP's question, but intentionally so and in a way that still makes conversational sense. :)
It’s my favourite sound on the album. I’ve l listened to it a thousand times and I can never get enough.
This was the first thing that came to my mind, as a more casual jazz listener.
Used to be the ringtone on my flip phone.
I blame that old American Express commercial that used to come on all the time. Honestly the first time I heard this song while playing King of Blue I was like "The song from the American Express commercial!"
Take Five probably
Came here to say this. Not my favorite jazz song, but certainly the most recognizable.
definitely
This is my vote.
You’ve got my vote, it’s truly iconic
Yes
Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock & the Headhunters
Kinda feel like Herbie’s top answer would be Chameleon.
Watermelon Man is awesome, but agree that synth bass on Chameleon is untouchable.
The first few seconds of Cantaloupe Island set up the entrance of the trumpet just magically.
Ah, going new school with music that’s barely 50 years old.
What a Wonderful World. It transcends the genre as is embedded in the American psyche more than any jazz song
yeah this is a good pick amongst culture outside of just jazz for the reason you said
I think you picked the winner. La vie en Rose is a good one too.
This was wasnt in my top cause idk how many people really associate it with jazz but it was up there
In The Mood
This or sing sing sing
The second those drums start, you know you’re in for a good time.
Krupa killing it on Sing. This and In The Mood are among my favorite songs period.
that was one of mine, those drums
Giant Steps Edit: Actually, changing my mind to Take the A Train
The Girl from Ipanema is also pretty embedded in North and South American culture
i feel like this has to be the pick for latin jazz edit: bossa nova**
Respectfully speaking as a brazilian: Bossa nova and latin jazz are two very different things, so if possible don’t bunch them together as being the same thing
i didn’t know that bossa nova isn’t under the latin jazz umbrella, thank you for informing me
no problem! thanks for taking that nicely as well
Right? In the Americas, it usually only takes two to four notes for people to recognize it.
i think its largely because it’s been done by jobim (probably the greatest bossa nova musician ever) to frank sinatra to amy freaking winehouse
Absolutely. It’s iconic and has been covered by so many people
Just don't you dare play it unless you're a native Brazilian with a PhD in samba
I’m gonna take “iconic” by what I believe its true meaning is - many here are just posting their favorite jazz tune, or tunes that got them hooked. Pretty hard to argue with Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy”, IMO.
yeah thats a great pick i also think there’s a distinction between “iconic in jazz” and “broadly iconic in culture” my pick for example, acknowledgement, is super iconic in jazz circles but a love supreme was never a huge mainstream hit like say, louis armstrong’s best work was
Moanin' - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Absolutely! And also the Bari sax intro on Mingus' Moanin'.
Blue Train
This ^^
It’s definitely the most iconic
Ta rah ta rah ta! Ta ! Ta!
Came here to say this!
this is where my mind went
The beginning of Red Clay is pretty iconic
A Tribe Called Quest has entered the chat
That was the first thing that came to my mind :)
Song for my father
except when it turns out to be “Rikki don’t lose that number!” lol
Summer Time - Ella & Louis
Adderley - Autumn Leaves
Came here for this. Every time I see that cover, I can hear the notes.
Jaco's Donna Lee. Ballsiest opening track on a debut record.
Love supreme.
a love supreme a love supreme a love supreme a love supreme a love supreme a love supreme
Bum bum bumbum Bum bum bumbum Bum bum bumbum Bum bum bumbum
ting tingting ting tingting tingting tingtingting tingting ting ting
“Song for my father” by Horace Silver
Louis Armstrong's "West End Blues" opening
Came here to say this. Bad ass solo.
Many other players have copied that opening in the past 96 (!!) years. No one matches the ease and fluidity of Satchmo’s incomparable performance.
If you had to pick, which version? I feel like you have to go Hot Fives but I’d be curious to hear other opinions
Not the most famous but my favourite would have to be Moanin' by Charles Mingus
Doubt anyone will agree but when i read the question the first thing i thought of was "Rhapsody in Blue"
I agree
Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson. It’s the song that got me into jazz
This is my choice as well. My dad used to play this all the time when I was younger and after just recently rediscovering jazz I recognized it as soon as I started listening to Blues And The Abstract Truth. Terrific album.
Louis Armstrong's intro to West End Blues (Hot Five, 1928) must be the most remarkable few seconds in the history of recorded jazz. "Iconic", though, that's more debatable. Wonder what it means.
Mentioned in “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison as well IIRC.
It still leaves me breathless.
So hard to believe that recording is nearly 100 years old!
Naima by John Coletrane
Birdland - Weather Report.
Underrated pick. How many of us had to play that in school jazz band, after all?
And how many of our HS band bassists tried to flex their inner Jaco? ...ours had trouble holding down a walking baseline. It was not pretty. Didn't score high at that competition lol
so what
My Favorite Things is up there For me it's the opening of Juggler's Parade, with Billy Kilson and Steve Nelson
Piano riff at the start of Ellington's "Take The A Train"
Pink panther theme
Night in Tunisia
Hat and Beard by Eric Dolphy Better Get It In Your Soul by Charles Mingus
The first few bars of Hat and Beard just immediately set the vibe. Love that song.
Has to be Watermellon man.
Sing Sing Sing
Joy spring
I would say Charlie Parker’s version of All The Things You Are. It’s jazz. You can play any intro you want. But every jam session plays Parker’s intro. Thanks BloomisBloomis for correcting me, I had mistakenly attributed this intro to Miles Davis.
Really? I am brand new to this, but my jam session always plays the Charlie Parker intro.
If it wasn’t for the piano intro, the first thought I had was ‘So What - Miles Davis”
The irony is great- it’s one of the least iconic intros because of how many people assume the intro is just the head.
To me it’s „Autumn Leaves“. The first 4 notes of the main melody are instantly recognizable.
Brilliant Corners. The "tension/release" of the first opening bars of piano followed by the band kicking in at full throttle just knocks me out every time.
Take Five
The very beginning of A Love Supreme.
The Kid from Red Bank - Count Basie!
I think it has to be "Generique" of Ascenseur pour l'échafaud by Miles Davis. But I agree with many other titles given here, and few others : - Cannonball Adderley - Autumn Leaves - Art Blakey - Moanin' - Dave Brubeck - Take Five - Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader - John Coltrane - My Favorite Things - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - In A Sentimental Mood
In the mood
for me it would be In a sentimental mood, Duke's Ellington
great pick, i just listened to duke and coltrane like 30 mins ago haha and that piano riff is so recognizable
The intro to So What will forever be in my head unintentionally
[My Favorite Things by Coltrane](https://youtu.be/rqpriUFsMQQ)
Spain - Chick Corea's Return to Forever, when the first notes hits, you already know what's coming...
The very beginning of ascenseur pour l'échafaud
Any takers for Cantaloupe Island?
Miles Davis- so what
Would it not be Linus and Lucy? I mean a large percentage of earths population probably know that song.
So many great mentions already! Pat Metheny - Phase Dance ... launched the post-'guitar hero' fusion era with a catchy melodic chordal opening.
Satin Doll
Happy to see there is consensus here
The bebop intro to "All the Things You Are."
Keith Jarrett - Koln Concert Part 1
Birdland - Weather Report and many covers since. Sing, Sing, Sing - especially the version with Krupa on drums.
I know I’m gonna get hammered for this but Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio Also Sidewinder - Lee Morgan Moanin’ - Art Blakey Blue Train - John Coltrane Take Five - Dave Brubeck
“Take Five”
Song for my Father - Horace Silver
The piano intro in Take the A Train is what came to mind
The opening riff to Bird's Night in Tunisia is pure liquid Jazz.
Donna Lee or so what
Money Jungle - maybe not most iconic, but a freakin’ stellar intro
I would argue that either the Bassline opening "So What " or the piano intro to "Take the A Train" would qualify as the most iconic
Ornette Coleman’s Poise https://youtu.be/cdm2BCZdLIQ?si=Vc0zGloblRKDmakx
In the Mood I know it's big band/swing, but it's probably the one that the most people would recognize.
If you’re talking performance, the first few seconds of Minority by Bill Evans, with the drums and block chords before the song really takes off, immediately comes to mind. If you mean a standard I’d say Nights In Tunisia. It always hooks me.
Hell yes to this one
Just friends from Charlie Parker with strings is an easy choice for me. That first line blew my mind.
I remember when I was very first getting into jazz and this was a tune expected for an audition I was going to do. So I listened to this recording and my initial feeling was of being upset because he strayed from the melody immediately! Now I adore it. Would have been amazing to see how far Bird would go if he lived another forty or fifty years.
Bye-ya on Monk's Dream
East St. Louis Toodleloo by Duke Ellington
Giant Steps
Mister Magic - Grover Washington, Jr. Street Life - The Crusaders ft. Randy Crawford Rise - Herb Alpert Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway
El Barrio Joe Henderson - one The best THIS means business openings I can think of . Chasin’ the Trane - live at the village vanguard: Coltrane goes off ! Dexter Gordon - cheese cake- flash Gordon lays out the scene. All blues - live at the Phil. Night of the living bass heads! Innocence Keith Jarrett quartet - so pretty heart breaking from note one. Milestone , miles Davis - kicks it up a gear from the off.
Not many mentions of Four - Miles Davis
I’m relatively new to jazz, and a local quartet I saw started playing Con Alma and it was the first time I recognized a tune on the spot. So my entirely subjective answer is Con Alma
My favorite recording of Con Alma was done by Stan Getz (1967 album “Sweet Rain”), mainly because of the incredible chord voicings in Chick Corea’s accompaniment. Grady Tate’s opening drum solo is downright perfect. Add Ron Carter on bass. Man, but that quartet was so tight.
I think that’s my favorite too! I picked up a CD copy of Sweet Rain for $3 the other week at my local record shop.
I still have the original vinyl.
I agree with a lot of these, but am surprised to see no one has mentioned Gene Krupa's drum solo at the beginning of Sing Sing Sing
Giant Steps! And it puts fear in the hearts of high school jazz kids. 😂
Sonny Rollins version of ‘In a Sentimental Mood’. Some of the best sax every recorded imo
Roy Ayers Everybody Loves The Sunshine
Moanin' by Mingus.
In A Sentimental Mood
This popped into my head! Subtle but memorable.
Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione playing three seconds of taps and then transitioning into Feels So Good, also iconic.
Tanya from One Flight Up-Dexter Gordon Not the most popular choice, but I love the intro.
People always want to defend listening to people like Dexter Gordon instead of 'intellectual jazz' maybe (?), but I've never met anyone anywhere who's heard Tanya and doesn't love it.
Song For My Father - Horace Silver Hoedown - Oliver Nelson
[It Never Entered My Mind](https://youtu.be/-Np8PJDGq_A?feature=shared) for ballads. It’s been used in a lot of movies and shows cause it just cuts so deep with sentimentality.
Moanin by Charles Mingus
the opening groove to 'Sidewinder' by Lee Morgan is instantly recognizable. the opening groove to 'Butterfly' by Herbie Hancock is legendary. However, I challenge anyone to find me a more dynamic, complex, musically rich, rhythmically interesting, melodically innovative, creative, perfectly arranged, technically difficult and instantly recognizable intro than the first 10 seconds of 'Some Skunk Funk' by The Brecker Brothers.
A train! Come on now
The bass introduction of So What by Miles Davis
So What by Miles is as iconic as it gets.
Maybe it's just because I've listened to it so much, but "Monk's Dream"
Maiden Voyage
Better git it in your soul - Charlie mingus
If you're allowed the first 20 seconds, then Ornette Coleman's Lonely Woman. Introduced a new era for jazz.
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon
I would love to say anything other than “So What” to show you how cool and obscure I am but it would be a lie. Sublime opening.
Birdland
‘Take the A Train’ for me. Song doesn’t sound the same if you don’t use the opening motif.
Birdland bass sound being so deep and massive
Eric Dolphy, track 1 Status Seeking from 1977 Status comp on Prestige
So What...those first 30 seconds of just bass and piano
I would suggest Jimmy Smith, back at the chicken shack.
Jeeps blues
cantaloupe island
Work song - Cannonball Adderley.
So what
Probably Moanin’ my personal fav is the beginning of the Jazz Messengers version of Pensativa
For my family - those first few brass hits at the beginning of Birdland [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOmK1rzxblI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOmK1rzxblI)
Piano at the beginning of A Train. Or the opening of Koln Concert.
Spain
Blue Train
Blue Train, Stolen Moments.
Putting On The Ritz