Parkinson’s: Some Jazzy Blues Holiday Music

“Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life.” Art Blakey

“There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind.” Duke Ellington

Intro to the Introduction: This blog primarily focuses on Parkinson’s and (hopefully) gives helpful advice about various aspects of the disorder. Along this journey, I have shared a lot about myself, and a big part of some of this sharing is my love of music. I use music late at night to help me get in the ‘mental state’ to fall asleep. Music relaxes me. Music provides a soothing salve to prepare my mind and body for sleep.

There is no long explanation about the science of Parkinson’s, and there is no big lesson or guide to learning anything here. It is simply presenting some holiday cheer through some jazzy blues songs. Enjoy!

“They say the blues is sad, but when B.B. sings ‘I got a sweet little angel, I love the way she spreads her wings,’ that don’t sound too sad to me!” Buddy Guy

Introduction: There are a lot of things I do poorly, including dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments (I am still very much a beginning guitar player). Besides class rock music, I love to listen to the blues and jazz, especially the blues. It is reasoned that the blues originated in the southern states of the U.S. sometime in the late 19th century.

According to Brittanica (click here to read the entire passage), “blues is secular folk music created by African Americans in the early 20th century, originally in the South. The simple but expressive forms of the blues became by the 1960s one of the most important influences on the development of popular music—namely, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock, and country music—throughout the United States.“

Below are ten jazz and blues holiday season songs, briefly explaining the artist or music.

“What we play is life.” Louis Armstrong

“Merry Christmas Baby,” Etta James (1998): Etta James was an American singer who performed gospel, blues, jazz, rock and roll, and soul music. Her voice resonated with power and wisdom; she is considered one of this century’s greatest singers.

“Do not fear mistakes. There are none.” Miles Davis

“The Christmas Song,” Nat King Cole (1962): Nat King Cole was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. His career spanned almost three decades, and he recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts.

“Music is an addiction.” Miles Davis

“Those Soulful Jingle Bells,” Mark Whitfield (2013): Mark Whitfield is a jazz guitarist from New York. This is a soulful version of jingle bells.

“If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” Louis Armstrong

“Christmas In New Orleans,” Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter (1957): Louis Armstrong had several nicknames, including “Satchmo,” “Satch,” and “Pops.” He was an American trumpeter and vocalist among the most influential figures in jazz. Many believe “Christmas in New Orleans” is the best-of-the-best jazz Christmas song.

“If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it.” Paul Harvey

“Peace,” Norah Jones (2002): Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Billboard named her the top jazz artist of the 2000s decade. This song is a slow and peaceful jazz, with Norah’s typical unforgettable melodies and harmonies.

“The blues is the foundation, and it’s got to carry the top. The other part of the scene, the rock ‘n’ roll and the jazz, are the walls of the blues.” Luther Allison

“Merry Christmas,” Lightnin’ Hopkins (1953): Samuel John “Lightnin” Hopkins was an American country blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He made Rolling Stone magazine’s top 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

“Everything comes out in blues music: joy , pain , struggle . Blues is affirmation with absolute elegance.” Wynton Marsalis

“Please Come Home for Christmas,” BB King (2001): Whether singing or playing his guitar, Lucile, there was only one BB King. His guitar-playing style was unique, his voice memorable, and his take on a well-known Christmas song brought new feelings to the song.

“The blues tells a story. Every line of the blues has a meaning.” John Lee Hooker

“Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’,” Albert King (1972-1975): Albert King was a complete blues artist, composer, singer, and guitar player. He is considered one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time. His best-known song was his 1967 hit “Born Under a Bad Sign.”

“Go ahead and play the blues if it’ll make you happy.” Dan Castellaneta

“Christmas Tears,” Freddie King (1961): Freddie King was one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar,” although they are not related to one another. He had a distinctive style of guitar playing and a powerful singing voice.

“Simple music is the hardest music to play and blues is simple music.” Albert Collins

“Merry Christmas Baby,” Otis Redding (1968): Otis Redding was an American singer and songwriter regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in soul music, rhythm, and blues. He had a one-of-a-kind voice, and it resonates in this Christmas song.

“The blues tells a story. Every line of the blues has a meaning.” John Lee Hooker

Final Thoughts: Jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker said, “Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom.” Music appreciation is similar to that of art. I remember visiting the Tate Modern Art Museum in London, England (a remarkable building and environment), and I walked into a guarded room with a pile of bricks. I told the guard, “It’s just a pile of bricks!” And he told me, “You are absolutely right, but others consider it art, and I get to guard it today.” 

So, you may not cherish blues and jazz as I do, but it’s okay; we all have our preferences. Here’s to your Holiday Season and trying to co-exist in a world of vast opinions and differences. May your favorite music soothe and relax those all-important neurons in your brain that ultimately bring a smile to your face.

Science and Medicine of Parkinson’s returns next week.

“My music is the spiritual expression of what I am — my faith, my knowledge, my being…When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups…I want to speak to their souls.” John Coltrane