The Ramsey Lewis Trio > The In Crowd
Composed by Billy Page

This hit was the biggest hit of this week of jazz hits. (#5 on the Billboard charts, same as “Girl from Ipanema”, but for four weeks longer.) At the time I knew the Dobie Gray song so, not knowing anything about cover versions, I was completely confused. Today no one’s ever heard of Dobie’s. Just goes to show you, hits ain’t always hits.

Jazz Hits Week #5 
Covers #26 
Legends of Soul Jazz #3

Cannonball Adderly Quintet > Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Composed by Joe Zawinul

This song is my son’s favorite in his middle school jazz band, 40 years after it hit. With good reason.

Jazz Hits Week #4 
Legends of the Saxophone #9

The Girl From Ipanema > Stan Getz & João Gilberto
Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, and Norman Gimbel

This record was truly a phenomenon and was the spark on a smoldering fire that exploded the bossa nova craze. And brought Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Astrud Gilberto into the media mainstream. It’s so familiar now that you could forget how special it is.

Jazz Hits Week #3 
Legends of the Saxophone #8 
Legends of Bossa Nova #1, #2, #3

Herbie Hancock > Chameleon
Composed by Herbie Hancock,
Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson and Harvey Mason

It’s a funny thing about “jazz hits.” Sure, there are records that make the top of the jazz charts. But whenever a jazz recording makes even the far reaches of the Hot 100, jazzbos cry “sell out” and proclaim the track a pop “hit.” A case in point is today’s feature, which peaked at #52 and will be forever thought of as Herbie Hancock’s popular music breakthrough.

Herbie’s had a completely unparalleled career, even by his larger than life mentor. At least five of his compositions are jazz and pop “standards” (think about Watermelon Man or Rockit or the Fat Albert LP). Through it all he’s been hailed constantly as an exemplary pianist, composer, and innovative bandleader. And today, at 68 years old, Herbie’s still making hit albums.

Oh, and doesn’t Chameleon completely groove?

Jazz Hits Week #2
Legends of Soul Jazz #2
Legends of the Piano #4 

Horace Silver > Song For My Father
Composed by Horace Silver

There’s so much jazz recording in the world it’s sometimes hard to separate out the gems. So, this week I thought to showcase some of the great, bonafide hit records in the genre.

Many folks will think they recognize this track, but they’re being fooled by the pop hit that nicked the melody. Horace is one of the genuine populists of jazz, a true artist with a touch for the common man (or woman).

Jazz Hits Week #1 
Legends of the Piano #3