Student Information

We encourage all student musicians to play in the jam, however, just attending the jam is a wonderful listening experience for those who might not feel ready to step up and play a tune. It’s a great way to get an idea of what a jam session entails so you can come prepared to play next month! To participate, simply learn any jazz tune. At the jam, tell the house rhythm section what tune you wish to play. Once the tune to play is decided, the song will then be open to include others to play along as well. It is normal for players in the band to change from song to song.

Also, all rhythm players are welcome to jam! The house rhythm player will either take a break or maybe even switch to another instrument while you play your selected tune.

If you are not sure what to learn to play for the jam, below is a list of some easier, fun jazz standards that you can start with. The UNR student rhythm section will be able to play any tune you choose and will be there to help you along. Feel absolutely free to learn tunes outside of the listed repertoire as well.

So, learn a song, invite your friends, and come ready to jam!

Jazz Standards & Play-Along Videos

In this list, the "Example Video" links take you to historical and session recordings of the song titles. The "Play-Along" links take you to videos from the YouTube channel, Learn Jazz Standards.

• All Blues - Easy G Blues in 6/4 (can be felt in 3/4 also) by Miles Davis from his classic album “Kind of Blue.”
  • Example video: From Kinda Blue, Miles Davis, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Paul Chambers, James Cobb, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Autumn Leaves - A classic standard that transitions between the relative major and minor.
  • Example video: From Somethin' Else, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones, Art Blakey.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Blue Monk - A great blues written by Thelonious Monk.
  • Example video: From a live recording, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Rouse, Ben Riley, Larry Gales.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Blue Bossa - A jazz bossa nova by Kenny Dorham. Look out for a chromatic key center change.
  • Example video: From Biting The Apple, Dexter Gordon, Barry Harris, Sam Jones, Al Foster.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• C-Jam Blues - An easy Blues melody by Duke Ellington. This is a great first jazz tune.
  • Example video: From Live In Swing City- Swingin' With Duke, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Doxy - A simple, bluesy Bb tune over a 16 bar form by Sonny Rollins.
  • Example video: From Bags' Groove, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Freddie Freeloader - A simple blues by Miles Davis.
  • Example video: From Kinda Blue, Miles Davis, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Paul Chambers, James Cobb, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Mr. P.C. - Named for his bassist Paul Chambers, this is an easy minor blues in C minor by John Coltrane.
  • Example video: From Giant Steps, John Coltrane, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Art Taylor.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• St. Thomas - A nice easy Latin tune in the key of C by Sonny Rollins.
  • Example video: From The Prestige Years, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins, Max Roach.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Summertime - A classic by Gershwin, the tune moves between the relative major and minor key centers.
  • Example video: From Chet Baker in Europe, Chet Baker, Jimmy Bond, Nils-Bertil Dahlander.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• There Is No Greater Love - This is a not too difficult, swinging standard; a lot of fun to play on.
  • Example video: From Boss Tenors / Dig Him, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt Quintet.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Watermelon Man - A straight 8th note 16 bar blues by Herbie Hancock.
  • Example video: From Takin' Off, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Roy Hargrove.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• Work Song - A bluesy 16 bar tune by Nat Adderley in F minor.
  • Example video: From Live in Lugano; Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley, Yusef Lateef, Joe Zawinul, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.
• What Is This Thing Called Love - By Cole Porter, this standard is a bit more challenging, but very fun to play.
  • Example video: From Standard Sessions, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Victor Gould, Jonathan Michel, Darrian Douglas.
  • Play-Along video from Learn Jazz Standards.

The play-along videos from this list were compiled from an extensive collection of resources at learningjazzstandards.com, created and maintained by professional jazz musician Brent Vaarstra. Check out the recordings on this list and explore Vaarstra's excellent collection of tools for learning to play jazz.