Some of the best old American jazz songs from the 1930s include 'Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All The Time)' by Ethel Waters, which spent 3 weeks at number one in June 1933 (featuring Bunny Berigan on trumpet and Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey on trombone and sax/clarinet). Another hit was 'I Saw Stars' by Freddy Martin & His Orchestra, with vocals by Elmer Feldkamp, which spent 4 weeks at number one in September/October 1934.

Believed to be the most recorded standard recorded by a jazz musician, the perennial “Round Midnight” was the work of inspirational American pianist Thelonious Monk.

It’s the musical equivalent of soul food. Distinguished by Milt Jackson’s crystalline vibes sound, the Modern Jazz Quartet’s elegant chamber jazz style is epitomized by this haunting 1954 instrumental, written by the band’s pianist John Lewis as a homage to his friend, jazz guitar great Django Reinhardt, who had died the previous year.