I'm a 79-year-old jazz pianist.Several decades ago, I was booked into a duo with a Russian guitarist who spoke no English whatsoever. I spoke an equal amount of Russian. He had learned the jazz repertoire from tape cassettes that were secretly passed among friends during the Communist era. We'd take turns playing the beginning bars of a standard and the other would join in. This got us through the entire three hours with only smiles and nods passing between us. Aimee Nolte, the list you posted was almost exactly what we played on that gig! My compliments for creating a wonderful database for the beginning jazz musician, and a good fill-in-the-blanks list for us long-termers. I'm reminded of the list of essential country songs that Johnny Cash wrote out for his daughter Roseann. She's completed at least two albums in a series called "The List". Does this give you an idea? Hmmm... My thanks for your wonderful videos! Even at my age, I'm learning from you -- and of course from our mutual mentor Jacob Collier.

My old teacher always said: "learn tunes from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, that way you will learn the right melody with good chords!"

25. Take the A Train 24. Autumn Leaves 23. All of Me 22. Blue Bossa 21. Satin Doll 20. Fly me to The Moon 19. So What 18. Straight no Chaser 17. Summertime 16. Oleo 15. Alone Together 14. How High the Moon 13. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise 12. Bye Bye Blackbird 11. Mr PC 10. St Thomas 9. Someday my Prince will Come 8. Black Orpheus 7. Cherokee 6. Footprints 5. The Girl from Ipanema 4. All the Things You Are 3. On Green Dolphin St. 2. Stella by Starlight 1. Confirmation

Really enjoyed this. I put a public playlist on Spotify entitled, oddly, ”Aimee Nolte's Top 25”. Thanks Ms. Nolte

Versions I like (not necessarily best sources for learning the original tune): Autumn Leaves - Cannonball All of Me - McCoy Tyner Blue Bossa - Michael Brecker in the Roppongi Pit (amazing solo) Alone Together - Chet Baker Softly in a Morning Sunrise - Michael Brecker (live) Cherokee - Kamasi Washington (this one is SO COOL!) All the Things You Are - Michael Jackson Fantastic list - just been brushing up on a lot of these myself :)

I just smile every time I watch you! Music isn't what you do, it's who you are.

Personal Favourites: Autumn Leaves - Ryo Fukui So What - Miles Davis Alone Together - Ed Bickert Someday My Prince Will Come - Yoko Kanno Cherokee - Kamasi Washington Footprints - Wayne Shorter The Girl From Ipanema - Getz/Gilberto All The Things You Are - Bill Evans On Green Dolphin Street - Barry Harris Stella By Starlight - Joe Pass

Amie, this, is pure love from you to us, you give so much and put so much into your work, and give us for nothing. I'll do my best to return this incredible favor one day.

What a gem your channel is. I’m feel lucky to be here.

I discovered jazz as a freshman/sophomore in college in the early 60s. Two favorite tunes emerged for me then and have stayed with me. One is "On Green Dolphin Street" already on your list. Favorite version is the Oscar Peterson Trio (at the London House). My other favorite tune from way back then is "Waltz for Debbie" played by Bill Evans. I'm pleased to say I saw both performers live all those decades ago.

I think the list is perfect. Everyone who has ever tried to comp with a singer or attempted--and stumbled--at blowing over ii-V-I changes has tried over some of these! Aimee, you are an amazing musical brain, and you are a natural teacher.

Aimee it would be so great if you did tutorials for those jazz standards. You are one of the few great tutors available. You are an amazingly gifted teacher.

Every time I watch one of your videos, I want to leap straight to an instrument before I'm even finished watching. You're such an inspiration.

Amiee. You are so awesome the way you say what you want to get across. You are an excellent communicator and express things clearly and with enthusiasm. Who can say any more? Thank you.

25. Take the A Train - Jazz at Lincoln Center on They Came to Swing 24. Autumn Leaves - Any version by Bill Evans 23. All of Me - Frank Sinatra 20. Fly me to The Moon - Sinatra again 19. So What - Miles Davis Kind of Blue (any new remastered version is actually in the correct key) 18. Straight no Chaser - Wynton Marsalis solo from the Dizzy Gillespie Diamond Jubilee album 17. Summertime - Clifford Brown and Dinah Washington 11. Mr PC - Any Coltrane recording 10. St Thomas - Sonny Rollins 7. Cherokee - Clifford Brown or Wynton Marsalis 5. The Girl from Ipanema - Stan Getz and Astrud Gilbrerto 3. On Green Dolphin St - Sarah Vaughan from a radio recording. 1. Confirmation - Any Charlie Parker version That's all the ones I could think of off the top of my head while at work (without the records in front of me). Great list though

Thanks Aimee! One of the most difficult first steps of dedicating yourself to the world of jazz is understanding which tunes to tackle first! There are a few on your list that I have been avoiding fully memorizing for various reasons for years but now it's time to get them under my fingers. Have a wonderful day.

I've been to a lot of jams where "Scrapple from the Apple," "Now's the Time," and "Canteloupe Island" get called, but I like this list (even thought I don't know all of them!! to the woodshed!!).

The people who critique the list you’ve made should be making their own list.

I'm 67-years young and I enjoyed your videos today so much! You reminded me of when I was a teenager, I can still remember singing in the school choir. I was introduced to some practice with piano and trumpet while in school and recall enjoying those moments very much. Though I never kept practicing, I continue to have a desire for playing and singing music. I was fortunate to learn to play guitar and sing in a band for a few years. I was searching KZfaq for some help with my playing and ended up on your videos. Your enthusiasm inspired me to subscribe to your website and I look forward to more positive input from you. I have an old keyboard in the basement that is about to join me with my practice along with your videos starting today! I look forward to a wonderful journey and thank you for the encouragement to keep my desire for music going! One day at a time. Smokin Bob Lenart/a Guitars 4 Vets student.

What i find most fascinating is the fact u memorized 25 songs. Musicians brains are awesome!

Chet baker for Summertime. either Micheal Brecker, Sonny Clarke or Dexter Gordon for Softly as in a morning sunrise. Eva Cassidy for Autumn Leaves

Fantastic! Love the medley! Will definitely explore these. I think my favorite version of autumn leaves is Cannonball Adderley's group with Miles

Yes, these are all the tunes, I've learned first. And some others: I loved Misty and... Take 5 ;-), so I tried to play and sing them. You've played and sung these tunes with all the feeling, rhythm and power this music needs. This has impressed me very much. Thank you so much for all the lessons this week.

I just found Aimee's channel two days ago, and even primarily being a guitarist, this has become my number one KZfaq music channel!!

What, no Smoke On The Water?????

oh my gosh, you didn't put THIS ONE on there, how could you leave this one out

You are such a treasure to me. I was led straight to your channel from Piano Pig, who is really great about sharing where he gets his inspiration and ideas. Thanks for doing this video...i am reigniting my love for jazz, and learning, and piano. My new keys will be delivered tomorrow, and I can't wait to break them in learning these standards and keeping them alive.

Aimee! Thelonious Monk is turning over in his grave, Ella too. I was in Jazz Heaven when I heard Ella sing ROUND MIDNIGHT!!! Ella helped me to learn to sing jazz in my head. My friend played his 45's of Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan. This was in the 50's. Great Stuff.

My list has only item. The Pink Panther.

I would add " There will never be another you"

Great list, thanks for sharing Aimee! My favorite recording of St Thomas is by Joshua Redman (Live at Village Vanguard). He starts off with an incredible solo interpretation which builds up slowly and gradually unwraps and teases the melody only to finally explode in full swing with the entire band. It gives me goosebumps every time.

Aimee..Thanks for all you do!...You rock...er, well, you swing...well...you do it all!....Basically, you serve us all, and contribute to making music great again!....Yay!

Nice tunes. For me there would be 2 more: Misty and 'Round Midnight for sure

I recently went to a Jerry Bergonzi masterclass and someone asked him the same thing, he said: It could happen to you, stella by starlight, All the things, ladybird, out of nowhere, and moments notice. In all 12 keys of course.

Great list! 15 more - Misty, Round Midnight, There Will Never Be Another You, Body and Soul, My Funny Valentine, Donna Lee, Giant Steps, All Blues, I'll Remember April, Night in Tunisia, Take Five, What is this Thing Called Love, I Can't Get Started, Night and Day, Solar.

Your list is a big help to me. I love listening to jazz and learning to recognize "the standards" when I hear them is one of my current projects.

I really like your videos. As a pianist though I'm not up to snuff enough to play most of this stuff. but I'm trying. Fly Me To The Moon - Frank, Live at the Sands By Bye Blackbird - Tony Williams, The Story of Neptune So What - Herbie Hancock, A Tribute to Miles Stella By Starlight - Kieth Jarrett, Standards Live

This video is so helpful, thank you!

your voice just shines so beautifully and bright

Nice pipes. When you started singing, you blew me away!

Aimee, regarding your question on fundamental recordings of jazz standards, I would recommend looking at a book by Ted Gioia called 'The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire'

I think quincy jones' big band version of Black Orpheus is pretty amazing, especially the way he harmonized the melody around the 2 minute mark

Your list is wonderful ...... been listening since the early fifties and have heard these songs so many times ... you are so easy to love ... I also like Funny Valentine ,, by Chet and I Remember Clifford ..... thanks for a very entertaining video .... oh ... yes, How High the Moon ....

I'm gonna take your word for it, Aimee, because I too remember someone making a request and I felt kinda dumb when I didn't know it. And you have been much more immersed in the scene than a lot of people.

Nice playing, good selection of standards but I'd think 'Round Midnight' would certainly be included. Of course I say that because I love playing it, it lends itself so perfectly to all kinds of jazz voicings and improvisation.

Sidebar - frequently called at jams "all the things you are " for all those great horn players (Charlie Parker)

hi greetings from Venezuela...thank you for share your knowledge about jazz , especialy of piano...I hope to learn so much of you and God bless you

OMG, I think I'm in love. I have just been inspired to really learn and take on this grand sport. Wow! An absolute delight of a presentation.... all the way through!

I got a lot of homework to do. Why did you have to make it look so easy?

"Aimee's Top 25 Jazz Standards To Know" starts at 5:59 .

I was lucky enough to have a broad range of jazz standards with high school and college jazz band experience. Love your ability to transition from one song to the next so gracefully.

I just started watching your videos a few days ago. It would be hard for anyone to make a Top 100 list of jazz standards, let alone a top 25, but yours is excellent. Even though Oleo has the same changes, I found it odd for not including "I've Got Rhythm", the original for so many great Bebop tunes and hey: " Meet The Flintstones!!!" As far as a recording for "Take The A Train", I have a favorite for emotional impact: The Stan Kenton version from his "Live In London Album" after Ellington's passing in the mid-70's. Played as a tribute with no improvisation, Mike Vax tears it up with "screech" trumpet on the final 2 choruses. The audience response was overwhelming. As a retired music teacher, thank you for your gentle, insightful & humorous approach to the subject of jazz. Great content & teaching!

For me the Miles Davis Quintet of Bye Bye Blackbird is probably the most important, however I like the version of the Ray Brown trio on "Live at scullers" much more! Just the whole album has an incredible live vibe&amazing energy to it!! (one of my first trio albums I have listened to)

What? No Misty? The "most standardy of standards?" Just kidding - you know me... Seriously, great list. Mine differs by 3 tunes: Somewhere Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World & Scrapple From the Apple. Also, I like Sonny Rollins for Oleo. Peace. JR

"The Jazz Standards", written by Ted Gioia, is gold for any student of jazz. Thanks, Amy!

omg aimee this is by faar the nicest video of you ive ever watched. i just love you so much! thank you for the so millionest time. Youre a jazz princess!

Yup, Misty should've definitely been on here. Otherwise, great list.

shoot! I've just been learning them alphabetically. I've been on "A" since 1982

I don't play piano ,just guitar (and not well) but you have made music theory so much easier to figure out ,thank you

I have found Ted Gioia's, "The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire" to be a very helpful book. He tells the story of about 250 key jazz songs and includes a listening guide to more than 2000 recordings. It is a 2012 publication of Oxford University Press.

Thank you so very much! True inspiration! Only Songs i can still think of are Donna Lee, 'Round Midnight, and maybe how insenditive (i guess you had enough bossas though;))) It's not a critique at all by the way! Just thought sharing :)

Green Dolphin Street - listen to the Miles Davis how he swings the head, just wow. How High the Moon - Ella I'm just gonna leave it at that otherwise we could be here forever.

Someone needs to compile a list of all the songs mentioned in the comments. A treasure trove of genius. Thank you Aimee. Your just awesome!

I like the "listen to the Sinatra version" advice. I also recommend listening to Nat King Cole's version of a standard, and Sarah Vaughan's. All three recorded many, many songs and by the time you've heard those three, you're oriented.

Sweet georgia brown by count basie, Moanin by quincy jones, bugle call rag buddy rich, Take 5 Dave Brubeck

The Nearness of You and My Foolish Heart

Your positive attitude is so motivating! Thanks for all the great videos :)

Thanks, Amy! That's my summer practice plan, right there!

My Favorite Things - John Coltrane

Fantabulous!

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Much appreciated by me, a total noob to the world of jazz.

Oh my, memories of my college years, of my parents, of loves, of glimpses of bliss, of heavenliness, how lovely!

Hey Aimee! I've recently discovered you and I've been loving your videos!! If I may ask, how many tunes should someone know to be considered a professional jazz musician? Are these 25 songs the standard? Or should one learn more? Others tell me that its really important to develope a strong jazz vocabulary first before learning more than 5 tunes, what are your thoughts? Thank you so much for your amazing dedication to help educate other musicians!!! :D

BODY AND SOUL!!!

Excellent list and advice, Aimee. Thank you for your work!

Those Jazz musician from the past was on a high level.Sight reading and hitting the right note timing is everything.

And, if you can't find Sinatra listen to Tony Bennett.

Does Green Onions, Booker T & the MGs count?

Your list is amazing, your singing is tantalizing, and your eyes are mesmerizing. Thank you, thank you.

Nice list. I'm a guitarist who started out as a bassist so I recommend the Jim Hall/Ron Carter version of Autumn Leaves. I love Hall's voicings and his delicate comp on the bass solo. And Ron Carter is one of the four greatest bass players ever.

A great selection Aimee, but also a bit sad. Probably the most recent tune is 50 years old now. It's like people banging out Beethoven. Again! Not questioning the innovations or the skilful harmony or the catchiness, but there's been a million tunes since then, so it just comes down to sentimentality, which is a hallmark of a dying tradition, just like the Mozart, Beethoven and so on. The music becomes another walk through the museum. In my local jazz club, many of these tunes are played by old and young, but the audience is 65-70+, then there is a rapid fall off.

Blue Monk 'mic drop'

you are the music princess, muse, angel, lover and you ability to share, to teach is aimed so well, so generous ,, love you

Aimee, you are beautiful! It's amazing how we constantly discover people on KZfaq. "All the things you are" is definitely a great one. I'm glad you reminded me of that because I learned it like 10 months ago and I forgot all about it I'm gonna touch up on it. Great video :-)

My funny valentine.. ;-(

IMHO Dave Brubeck's Take Five is the best jazz tune ever.

I absolutely love your videos and how well you present the information! Thank you for helping those out there hungry for jazz knowledge :)

whatn a great and smiling voice you have 🙌 💕

These are certainly standards; however, as far as I'm concerned, that's a good reason to avoid them. I don't play much jazz anymore, but if I was putting together a group today, I would focus more on familiar pop oriented songs that can swing in a jazz way and that _any_ audience can relate to rather than just hardcore jazz-heads. "Summertime" is already on the list, and that's a good place to start. "Caledonia," "St. James Infirmary," etc. And something like "Wayfaring Stranger" makes a great blues.

Oscar Peterson's Take The A Train

Here's my top 25 from recent set lists, I perform American Songbook at elder cares a lot, so I do anything from the 20's to the 70's, most genres: 1. Fly Me to the Moon 2. L-O-V-E 3. On the Sunny Side of the Street 4. The Way You Look Tonight 5. They Can't Take That Away From Me 6. This Masquerade 7. What a Wonderful World 8. Ain't Misbehavin' 9. All of Me 10.As Time Goes By 11. Black Orpheus 12. Corcovado 13. God Bless the Child 14. Stormy Weather 15. When You Wish Upon a Star 16.The Days of Wine and Roses 17.Georgia on My Mind 18. Honeysuckle Rose 19. Jeepers Creepers 20.Autumn Leaves 21. I'm an Old Cowhand 22. A Foggy Day 23. Bye Bye Blackbird 24. Lullaby of Birdland 25. The Nearness of You

What I especially liked is that you sang these. I think we often forget that these are songs with lyrics.

you are so beautifully cute. Your articulate so musically.

Thanks for this. Every now and then, I'm asked to dep In a jazz jam. This list now gives me a focus point of where/what to start getting under my belt. Some toons one can learn on-the-fly, while others need a little homework!! Oh, and thanks for the additional list in the comments too. Nice one Aimee! Mr Magic!

St. Thomas - Jim Hall & Ron Carter, Alone Together How High the Moon - Ella Fitzgerald Cherokee - Clifford Brown, Study in Brown (also KZfaq video of John McLaughlin on the Tonight Show) All the Things You Are - Corey Christiansen, Awakening Mr. P.C. - John Coltrane, Giant Steps Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise - Jim Hall & Ron Carter, Alone Together All of Me - Joey DeFrancesco, Live at the 5 Spot Someday My Prince Will Come - Miles Davis Confirmation - Sonny Stitt Plays Bird Take the A Train - Wes Montgomery, Echoes of Indiana Avenue Oleo - Pat Martino, Live at Yoshi's Autumn Leaves - Bruce Forman, Pardon Me!

Straight up amazing piano skills 😍 godamn!

Aimee, this is a great list and thank you for putting it together. My favorite A Train is by Ella Fitzgerald. I love her phrasing. I reminds me of the trumpet phrasing I wish I could play.

Thanks Aimee. It's a good list for more or less straight ahead jazz as played at typical jam sessions (music I love) but since you didn't specify straight ahead or only-at-jam-sessions, I want to add two silly tunes that every jazzer should know even if they don't especially represent his/her jazz style/interest. Guys, if you never memorize these two things it's you who will look silly one day, particularly if you have to strum the right chords/changes at 5 seconds notice. I have seen deps who come from other styles & genres crumble on stage at jazz gigs because they couldn't find the chords in time for these tunes/charts that everyone should have memorised:- (1) When The Saints Go Marchin' In (key of F) (2) A simple 12-bar blues (key of Bb) This is often used as a warm-up piece or for testing the mics. Please guys, don't be snobs, and learn these two things first! Otherwise, one day, you'll be in a band that does an impromptu trad jazz spot, and you'll go down in flames.

Thought I’d have more differences but it’s an excellent list. Autumn Leaves was the first tune my guitar teacher gave me. I figured out the Sinatra thing on my own. Same goes for Ella. Thanks for all you do, Aimee....

I am in love with Aimee Nolte, as I am in love with jazz, no wonder.