Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Laeticia (class of 2026) and features some modern jazz tunes.
New Voices, Old Soul: A Modern Jazz Playlist
Jazz has always been about pushing boundaries while honoring what came before. It is a genre that never died. It just changed addresses. This playlist is proof that the genre is very much alive in the hands of a new generation of artists who grew up on everything from hip hop to classical music and brought all of it into the jazz tradition. From intimate vocal performances to genre-bending fusion, these tracks represent the new sound of jazz, one that feels both familiar and completely fresh. Let this be your introduction to the voices shaping jazz right now.
Samara Joy – “Guess Who I Saw Today”
Lizzie Berchie – “We Found Love”
BrandonLee Cierley ft. Jimmie Herrod – “Naia’s Song”
Gregory Porter – “Consequence of Love”
Harrison ft. Jaleel Shaw – “You hate jazz?”
Esperanza Spalding – “Black Joy”
Herbie Hancock ft. Norah Jones – “Court and Spark”
Richard Bona – “Souwedi Na Wengue”
Lindsey Webster – “Music in Me”
Norah Jones – “Don’t Know Why”
DoomCannon ft. Lizzie Berchie – “Real Love”
Kendrick Lamar – “For Free? (Interlude)”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
That’s a really interesting concept – blending modern sounds with the tradition of jazz. I’m always keen to hear what students are listening to!