Jay’s Jazz Renaissance.

I listen to a lot of soundtrack music while I work. Words are distracting, and sometimes you just need something in the background to keep you going happy and your ears entertained.. and soundtracks have really have itched that need for me. I’m happy to name some of my favorites and those that are repeated time and time again, depending on the mood I need, how late it is in the day, or early in the morning.. could go for days on how i like to set stuff up.

Hans Zimmer: Interstellar, Inception, Blade Runner 2049, Dune.. – frankly, anything Hans…
Thomas Newman – Meet Joe Black, Shawshank Redemption
Harry Gregson – The Martian
Ryuichi Sakamoto – The Revenant (seriously how can two notes convey so much damn emotion)
Daniel Hart – Music From S-Town
Powell’s Bourne Series..

I’ve even heard some video game soundtracks are equally a good place to go, as those are literally designed to stay in the background of games, and keep you propelling forward and while I can’t say i’ve totally found my calling here in that way that soundtracks have worked, there are definitely a few worth mentioning..
Destiny: Music of the Spheres (inspired by Halo-ish) – and featuring the one and only Paul McCartney..come on…
Firewatch..
Harry Potter Legacy is actually solid..

Math Rock is also pretty legit when it comes to filling that no-vocal need but perhaps a bit heavier.. so i could.. oh.. this post was supposed to be about jazz, yes?

I’ll get down to brass tax. In short, the other day a friend recommended some new modern jazz stuff and it was legit. Meet Fergus McCreadie everyone. Dude makes some AWESOME sounds.

I love this style of jazz and piano playing and if there are others in the same vein, please let me know.. i’m sure i’d eat all of it up and VERY MUCH APPRECIATE it.

It also helped me remember Mammal Hands, GoGo Penguin and several others who i’m pretty sure i’ve dedicated time to in the past, who I’m equally big fans.

So that was the post. If you need music to work to.. there’s movie soundtracks, video games soundtracks, OH AND RIGHT TV SOUNDTRACKS (house of cards was decent.. bad batch, 3 body problem..are there others i should know about?) and math rock, and jazz… the possibilities are endless, folks. Keep working, keep listening, stay happy and rich.