Our Park Slope Serenade — an NYC Jazz Playlist
We can’t stop, won’t stop making New York playlists. This time we’re coming with a peaceful, jazzy vibe that conjures images of strolling through the streets of tree-lined Park Slope on a temperate day with a gentle breeze. Imagine stopping for a coffee at your favorite Brooklyn boutique and nodding to a neighbor passing by. We say Park Slope, since our real estate office is located here but regardless of whether you call Brooklyn or NYC home, it’s our hope that these tracks will take you there.
We’ve selected songs about NYC or performed by artists affiliated with the city—whether they had a Brooklyn home, studied in Manhattan or performed in Harlem.
Enjoy with a cup of coffee, a favorite book, a nice walk or anything else that brings you peace.
Take the “A” Train — Duke Ellington
Born in Washington DC, Duke Ellington spent a large chunk of his life as a New York jazz legend, playing piano, arranging music and leading an orchestra. In 1931, he and his orchestra brought big band jazz to Brooklyn, with his debut at the legendary Brooklyn Paramount theatre. Take the A Train is perhaps Ellington’s most famous song, which was written by his longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn in 1939. Ellington recorded his famous version in 1941, back when the A train was NYC’s newest subway line, and it’s been a hit since then.
Harlem on a Saturday Night — Lil Hardin Armstrong
While most women of her time in the jazz scene were only seen as singers or dancers, Lil Hardin Armstrong proved herself as a respected pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader. As her name suggests, she also happens to be the second wife of Louis Armstrong. Both were members of King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band when they wed, and because she was already established in Chicago’s jazz scene she actually helped launch her husband’s solo career. Though Armstrong is affiliated more with Chicago jazz than New York, she did study at New York College of Music.
Moanin’ — Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers
Born in Pennsylvania, Art Blakey was a famous drummer and bandleader who spent his later years in New York. Perhaps one of the most well-known songs that Blakey performed, Moanin’ was written by pianist/composer Bobby Timmons, and is the title track of Blakey’s album with the Jazz Messengers. The track is well known for its call and response melody, which is a sort of musical conversation.
Skylark — Wynton Marsalis
A bit more contemporary than the other musicians in this playlist, trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis (aka “Pied Piper”) was born in New Orleans in 1961, got into music at a young age, then moved to NYC to attend Julliard in 1979. He began recording in the ’80s, and has been churning out albums and touring since. He’s also Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
‘Round Midnight — Hazel Scott
Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was born in Trinidad in 1920 but moved to NYC four years later. A musical prodigy, she started performing professionally when she was a young teen. She was known for adding her own jazzy spin on classical pieces, and for her powerful voice. Scott was also the first Black woman to host her own TV show, which aired originally here in NYC.
Flamenco Sketches — Miles Davis
The background song in this touching A Bronx Tale scene, Flamenco Sketches is featured on Miles Davis’ widely received Kind of Blue album. Born in Illinois, Davis was a child musician—and yet another Julliard attendee—whose professional career blossomed in NYC. He’s known for trumpet, flugelhorn, and as a composer and bandleader.
But wait — there’s lots more
We didn’t want to bore you with too much music history but we did find it difficult to narrow down our favorite jazz pieces that remind us of Brooklyn/NYC life, so do listen to the playlist in its entirety on Spotify!
Looking for more music? Check out our other playlists including Falling for Brooklyn: Autumn in NYC, Sounds of Home: A Real Estate Song for Every Mood and Summer in Brooklyn.
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