Stop Playing The Same Old Standards

What are the top 10 REAL greatest jazz standards of all time? Join Peter Martin as we take a deep dive into who/what should make the cut. It may not be what you're thinking, but it's definitely time we refreshed the repertoire.
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[@danielo1418]

It's incredibly rare to see a channel with high production levels, fantastic and humble players, new learning opportunities every video, and just an overall feeling of class and respect for the music. This channel and the Open Studio program in total is pure art. Thank you to Peter and Adam

[@tmoddison]

Agreed. It’s a channel my son and I can watch and it brings us both great joy.

[@patrickbg110]

10. Spain (Chick Corea) 1:07 9. Ruby My Dear (Thelonious Monk) 2:02 8. King Porter Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton) 2:44 7. Strasbourg St. Denis (Roy Hargrove) 3:07 6. In A Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington) 4:35 5. Sing a Song of Song (Kenny Garrett) 5:55 4. Au Privave (Charlie Parker) 7:04 3. Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter) 7:50 2. Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk/Mary Lou Williams (Walkin and Swingin) 9:08 1. Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn) 10:20

[@Orlando-wn4uc]

The piano solo on the Strasbourg recording is incredible. Suuuper hip.

[@zekielrodriguez5229]

That's crazy that when I entered a jazz program like 8/10 of these tunes became my favorite to play over the super standards. I simply love the sounds and techniques used in these tunes, they have more color to them. I didn't think of them for impact or education purposes. They actually seem more quirky and distinctive

[@cameratatchaikovsky2365]

Beautiful playing

[@BenWeeks-ca]

Really tasteful deep cuts.

[@michaeltobian3900]

Some tunes that I call that I don't see called much: - Sophisticated Lady - Old Folks - Hymn to Freedom - Emily - Waltz for Debbie - Laura - Lush Life

[@samkennard2455]

Waltz for debbie (among other Bill evans tunes) should be played more, i wonder why? would it be too unfamiliar for horn players to blow over perhaps? I love tunes like Jade Visions, Peace Piece

[@TobsterStrudel]

+1 for Waltz for Debby

[@kieronjohnson8834]

I don't get the clamour over Waltz For Debbie. If I never hear it again in my lifetime I'll be fine.

[@Elriri]

Lush life is mentioned in the video????

[@IntrepidFox94]

Nice to see Strasbourg / St. Denis represented.

[@littlebumgorf]

RIP Hargrove 😔

[@MAYNOR82]

💯

[@jeffreyalexander7504]

I'll never forget playing with Roy at Wally's in Boston before he became a jazz star. The gig was on Wednesdays. He would take the train to New York Friday afternoon, play a gig Friday night, sleep on the floor of the club in the back room, play a gig at a different club Saturday night, then catch the train back to Boston Sunday to go to school. We smoked a bunch of pot back then.

[@littlebumgorf]

@@jeffreyalexander7504amazing story, thank you for sharing that

[@sunraiii]

Haven't heard anyone play "In a sentimental mood" this beautifully in a while. You've almost made a grown man cry

[@DaGhost141]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5W5pZl3aNCooK8 Check out Bill Evans version, I love how he manages to infuse swing into such a well, sentimental piece.

[@tychovskisounds]

Check out the Michel Petrucciani live version thats on KZbin.... ooh la la

[@billweathers5080]

Peter, man, this should be streamed everywhere as a mini documentary. So beautiful. Been digging jazz for 65 years, and this is just great!

[@jonahg6654]

After watching this video I went and learned myself Strasbourg St. Denis. Brilliant tune - so simple on paper, yet gives you so much room to work with as a soloist. Thank you so much Peter!

[@nickvareymusic]

Peter's playing is so beautifully dynamic and colourful!

[@JunkerOnDrums]

Love these "new" standards - Lush Life is one of the most beautiful compositions, but also Infant Eyes. Coltrane played the first with Johnny Hartman (McCoy, Elvin & Garrison) - Stan Getz played them both on the album Live at Montmartre (1977) - a concert I attended.

[@jon2115r]

Sir #3-Wayne Shorter's Infant Eyes... It IS a super superb jazz standard

[@largestudent198]

I always love hearing new music. Everytime I accidentally assume the next note, I get humbled by a different note and sometimes no notes. Every new tune is new, so while I do undergo similar stages of humbling, I always feel it differently because the tune is new. I know about this and I enjoy the "kitsuke", or snapping back to reality, so I like basking in the eternal improvisation of the world. Some people don't, and I completely understand why, so I try repeating the same tunes while they are in my presence. I don't think musicians are stuck playing the same standards. I think the people feel uncomfortable stepping outside their comfort zone, and the same people so happen to keep enslaving musicians in a tight economy of supply and demand. I mean, I memorized all the tunes I enjoy in my mind inside my invisible iTunes. Therefore people deep inside must feel the true want of experiencing a great tune just when they think they had completely forgotten, and the price is to both forget and keep alive the music. Musicians need more compensation and national dignity from the people, the very people who try fervently denying any need until they do need during, for instance, a blackout or hospitalization. They say deaf people too feel the rhythm through vibration on skin. Old people especially should start practicing listening to vibrations. I as a student of music pay attention to the comparison of my reaction to earlier iterations of musical recreation. I try noticing whether my improv style has been influenced, or whether my mind has adopted new frequencies of conduction. Ignorant people take these things for granted, and when they realize their minds have become monotonous and completely in sync with millions of others, it's too late to change them given the fact that all of them never even tipped a street artist they actually enjoyed.

[@elibitcpa]

I think we have to make justice for round midnight

[@Caleb-zl4wk]

Great song for sure don't get me wrong Doesn't feel as Monk as Ruby my Dear to me. Or Pannonica or Monk's Mood or Crepuscle with Nellie. I just feel like he has other better standards.

[@guidemeChrist]

You can't call it bc everybody plays the changes wrong, especially on the bridge. Blame miles

[@HQplayzdrums]

Facts😅🔥🤌 Round midnight>

[@viscose_matt]

Reflections is the best Monk ballad imo

[@talentunburied]

Thank you!

[@DavideSchachterJazz]

May I add the enigmatic "The Peacocks" and the monumental "Prism" and another one that is a hymn to the joy "To Wisdom The Prize", the very emotional " Every Time We say Goodbye" and absolutely agreed on the" best of the best" composers Billy Strayhorn, Duke, Wayne Shorter...

[@TurkeyBacon41]

Such a high quality video! Beautiful playing by Peter as always, and just fantastic editing.

[@tedpowers2045]

Love Wayne Shorter. So beautiful

[@TennisMaster709]

Petition to get a studio tour Sign here 👇

[@Pete_Rocc]

From number 10, I knew why I loved this channel.

[@Jerry_England1]

Thank you Peter! Lush Life is one of my favorites too! Your playing is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@CWBella]

So enjoyed this mini-concert, Peter. Thank you!

[@largebottomproductions]

You are the damn man!. The fact we had some of the same standars on our list is awesome. You validated me.

[@stevepresswood2018]

Ah, Lush Life! Beautiful rendition Peter. So emotionally satisfying.

[@DaveSalvator]

Wonderful choice of tunes. So hard to narrow down to just 10. Infant Eyes and Lush Life remain such beautifully haunting tunes, and I've listened to them for decades.

[@high-defRJ]

I must agree on Spain, Ruby My Dear and also Au Privave. But with my love for karaoke, composing, and also having performance history with pop singers, I immersed myself in playing 40-50 standards in all 12 keys almost 15+ years ago, when I was still fresh out of college and trying to find a job, music or just a regular day job. While I can't play them all the standards in all keys, I'd think it's a great exercise for the ears, and particularly myself playing piano, understand the chord progression by just numbers, not the letters itself.

[@gestor2008]

I',ve cry with Lush Life, two reason: The marvellous way you play it, and my frustration that i never be able to play like you. Thanks!!!!

[@eamonnmorris5331]

Great solo piano playing! Respect ...

[@remyvegamedia]

Yes to Infant Eyes! I played this with the trio I put together for the one gig we played haha. I would gladly play this at every session. We always play Strasbourg and I'm always on board for that, too.

[@hhohn7]

I could listen to Peter play all night long. His playing trios well with a cigar and a good bourbon.

[@harryvanineveld145]

many, many years ago I heard Donna Summer sing this beautiful song and fell instantly in love with it.... Lush Life

[@willg-r3269]

Two important notes re: the excellent song Lush Life: 1) The noun "lush" seems to have fallen far enough out of common usage that younger people encountering the song don't always grasp the meaning -- it's not mainly referring to a life that's "lush," as in decadent, opulent, lavish, etc, but the life of a "lush," as in a heavy drinker, a drunkard, an alcoholic. 2) The lyrics framing the singer's alcoholism and depression as a product of unrequited love ("Then you came along / With your siren's song / To tempt me to madness / I thought for a while / That your poignant smile / Was tinged with the sadness / Of a great love for me / I guess I was wrong / Again, I was wrong") have a very specific layer of meaning for the composer Billy Strayhorn, who was semi-openly gay and wrote the song as a teenager.

[@dwdei8815]

This was a sublime list. Lush Life a real treat at the end. Others I've adopted as party pieces are Black Nile (Wayne Shorter), Field of Gold (Morricone - basically "that" music from The Good The Bad The Ugly) and Lullaby of Birdland (George Shearing, in memory of a friend who always played it as his last piece in gigs). The song I have by far the most fun with is Tea for Two (Youmans, with more than an echo of Shostakovich and Tatum). There's something in its catchy, simple tune that can make it pivot from petite to frenzied on a dime.

[@miramarensis]

OMG, number one is so moving! What a rendition, Peter. Bravo Maestro!

[@nicholaswise5818]

Sing a song of a song is so good. I wish that whole album was all standards

[@gautrstafr]

A recent favorite of mine that would fit well with the theme here is Bill Evan's rendition of "You and the Night and the Music"" from the interplay sessions. It's actually a theme from a 1930's musical

[@64Golfy]

Awesome! Thank you from Valencia, Spain.

[@bobbymauro3721]

Seriously, the craftsmanship in the songwriting from all of these Titans is outstanding! And to top it all off the delivery from the crew from Open Studio only fuels their mastery! Bravo!

[@Madfeast1]

I’ve been playing guitar for 30 years before I found this channel. I had a basic understanding of music theory and also knew some things I didn’t know I already knew if that makes sense lol. Anyway you guys inspire me so much I just had to leave a comment. In the last 6 months i bought a piano and working through all twelve keys at the moment(b and a are my favs so far) thank you for doing what you do. You’ve changed the way I look at and understand music and reawakened a deep passion for playing. Thanks again. Keep it up.

[@kevinsavo718]

Loved this Peter. This just accompanied me through 15 minutes in the wake of the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you

[@fjzingo]

infant eyes is a fantastic tune...good advice on some really good tunes there.

[@jorgegallego9672]

I loved the choices Strasbourg St. Denis and Spain but I would include round midnight for sure.

[@emilebrisset6874]

Stella by starlight, it's easy to remember, chega de saudade

[@gregory9028]

Dude what a coincidence!!! I have been playing that Roy Hargrove tune on my playlist for 5 weeks and still can't get enough. The horns and piano interplay is amazing. I need a lead sheet of that tune. For real!!!!

[@shaigeballe9440]

Both the editing and the playing in this video is completely beautiful. Bravo open studio!!!!!!

[@diamondmidnightgardener]

What a magnificent performance, and beyond that, choice of standards.... thank you thank you thank you

[@dirkhenkenius1842]

Great selection, gorgeous playing. Thank you, Peter

[@nz7244]

Interesting premise. I have about 2000 or so jazz songs committed to memory and most good jazz musicians I do have as well. The trick is, we don’t all share the same ones. You could easily come up with a list of 100 different 10 best jazz standards.

[@leonidassavalas745]

Been playing "Lush Life" since I'm a boy, generally in Db as well. You had a few subs that really twanged my janger. Very nice, Peter.

[@kieronjohnson8834]

Ruby My Dear is one of those tunes that stopped me dead in my tracks. The version Monk recorded on Blue Note is one of the most beautiful pieces in the jazz canon. I'd have Pannonica in this list too. Too many artists play Round Midnight and think they've done Monk. I wouldn't call Lush Life a new standard, it's been around for ages and recorded countless times.

[@Mirth-n-Music]

When I’m asked for my favorite jazz compositions I usually reel off 15-20 names (I have a ‘Jazz Standard’ playlist with over 100 tunes, including all from your list except King Porter Stomp); if forced to give one song I give two instead: Lush Life and ‘Round Midnight.

[@uvprofile67]

This topic reminds me of Herbie Hancock's cd 'The New Standard', only he chose newer songs...I always enjoy your way of approaching styles especially the rapid-fire tunes your co-host calls out. Peace.

[@y34r]

Love your playing , Peter. Your interpretation is always spot on. Big fans!

[@EranZadka-Schudiner]

I dont agree with most of the choices but still a gr8 video!!

[@chensiding0]

Daahoud is my favorite jazz piece of all time. Biased as a trumpet player whose favorite player is Clifford Brown, but anything Chick Corea or Wayne Shorter is my 2nd/3rd choices.

[@WIUBenny35]

Love Lush! Great arrangement! 🔥

[@grooves.x]

Love the chord progression in Spain ❤

[@danielwaeber3309]

love your playing Peter! So inspiring, thank you!

[@davidbivens5375]

Excellent selections! Everyone a gem! The whole video is a highlight reel but my vote for best of show is that beautiful footage of Wayne Shorter. So well done

[@XavierExel]

You are a godsend of inspiration. Rock on Peter

[@andrewmaloney6038]

Thoughts on the video as I watch: Ruby My Dear W ballad Strasbourg St. Denis is such a great tune, I heard it so much at sessions in college that it kind of got played out and no one plays it, but they should. Au Privave is definitely an underplayed blues. Wayne ❤️ Lush Life is so beautiful. Billy Strayhorn wrote so many incredible compositions, Chelsea Bridge, Take The A Train, UMMG, so many more. Seriously awesome tunes on this list. Love that you threw in some newer tunes that resonate with the new generation of musicians, that’s how we move the music forward!

[@redbrown7355]

Peter did your father or family member teach music at Brittney Middle School in University City, MO? If so he was the music teacher that made me fall in love with playing music. His name was Hi Martin.

[@acwatercolors]

Lotus Blossom, another Billy Strayhorn standard desserve its olace here ! Great choices you did, thanks Peter !

[@dqmw9g6z]

This video was just beautiful...

[@ootctb9867]

love the duke clips! 🫶🏻

[@monkreeder]

Lush Life (especially when contemplating the lyrics) knocks me on my ass every time. 😢

[@garyhoffman1]

Agreed. For me, the lyrics take an extraordinarily beautiful melody to another level. I really think that the lyrics were written first and inspired the melody.

[@marius.orehovschi]

I fully support the promotion to jazz standard title of Infant Eyes (or really any other tune from that amazing album, Speak No Evil)

[@cornicello]

Nice selection! I've got a little sheddin' to do! Funny, though - there are standards that seem to have more or less importance depending on your instrument! I was at a jam session up in Hartford CT, run by horn players (at least they were calling most of the tunes), and it was hard bop city! Yet, as a pianist, I tend to focus more on tunes recorded by Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, Keith Jarrett, etc.

[@flare2000x]

I'll admit, I probably play Green Dolphin Street and Another You far too often. They are two of my favourites. But this is a great list you've put together and the playing is great too. If I were to choose a Monk ballad I would have probably picked Pannonica over Ruby My Dear. I really gotta learn Lush Life. Will give it a go tonight.

[@tenorref]

This was the best video I’ve heard from you. I found it quite relevant and provoking (as in prodding) me to look at most, if not all of these. I know some already but the others will go into the study list. Thanks for this.

[@orangeproduction7609]

Thanks Peter! You have reminded us of truly excellent standards!!!

[@georgefspicka5483]

One solution for me is to perform one of my own tunes. I sometimes get more applause then I do on standards : ). BTW, that's a great choice of tunes you've selected. I've been been playing "In A Sentimental Mood," for seemingly eons. Au Privave ... my wife would say "On The Privy" : ) I love Lush Life with the images of Strayhorn and Ellington. Wouldn't you just love to spend some time with them, just chatting over a cup of coffee or two. On the list I'd also include Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance." I just love the way it so effortlessly modulates through the assorted keys. One final recommendation is the Irving Berlin ballad, "What'll I Do?" I did it a bunch of years with a clarinet, piano, bass, drums combo. (I love clarinet. I feel it's one of the most under-appreciated jazz instruments). The bassist hadn't played it before. When done, he leans over and says, "That has to be one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever played."

[@YoshiNishio]

You are a great jazz pianist. But I noticed you were reading your most favorite music "Lush Life". I know the harmony is very complicated. Sounded great.

[@alexts94]

Got a bit emotional when they showed Roy 🥲

[@MAYNOR82]

Me too….🥲

[@willft520]

What an amazing list and what a great interpretation! You are such a talented piano player, Peter Martin! God bless you!

[@MarimaruXD]

Number 1 is perfect. No arguments there :)

[@chrisbranch231]

I didn't know that he could play 🎹 like jelly roll Morton. I was very impressed 😁

[@honeybee4316]

Au Privave was always one of my all time favorite blues melodies. Glad to see it on the list!

[@heinztidow4993]

Nice tunes. Of course, but if you are playing on sessions you need to know and to play the common stuff that everyone knows very well.

[@TommyRarivoson]

Awesome video and awesome playing by Mr. Martin!

[@brendanmorales4504]

Your articulation on Au Privave was incredible.

[@arthurmee]

So enjoyed this Peter. A great set of songs . . . beautifully played. Thank you.

[@pastense]

One of my bands is a blend of both jazz and non-jazz musicians (I’m one of the non-jazz musicians). And both Spain and Strasbourg are staples in our repertoire. Such fun tunes to play for any kind of musician! Funny side note, I remember going to Robert Glasper’s shows and he’d tease Chris Dave by playing intros to several of these ‘exhausted’ standards knowing even though Chris is fully proficient, he wasn’t tryina mess with any of that sh!t anymore lol

[@primslim620]

Very cool. Some old tunes in there I definitely didn't know, or remember, based on my listening experiencing all these years in Jazz. Thanks for this video.

[@hughjayn1s]

Some songs I think are definitely underrated: Moving Uptown (Benny Carter), Old King Dooji (The Duke), Things to Come (Dizzy Gillespie), Giddybug Gallop (The Duke), Tickletoe (Count Basie), Tutti for Cootie (The Duke). Really I could go on and on but these are the most underrated off the top of my head

[@ouruhuru]

This is excellent, thanks for the video!

[@Mihido1]

100 percent agree with No. 1. I so hoped it made the list - behold and see!

[@trombonenina]

YES Lush life!!! my absolute favorite to play on trombone!! so Beautiful

[@bryandickerson5365]

Two more suggestions - ‘Ugetsu’ (Fantasy) by Cedar Walton & ‘Smatter’ by Kenny Wheeler Very nice playing and great tunes to ADD to the list, but you’re killin’ me with the click bate..though I guess it did work. Actually, it has always irritated me when players complain that they were “tired” of the old standards. It seems juvenile to me to be “tired” of something one hasn’t mastered yet. How many folks have mastered the blues? Should we banish the 12 bar blues because it’s been overplayed?

[@11kwright]

Wow, thank you for bringing these great jazz standard pieces of all time by these masterful artists. It was therapy to my ears. So happy this particular video came in to my feeds. I loved every single one of them. How the status quo can allow for these greats to fade away when they are the best would be and is a sin. Thank you for this enlightening awakening.😮🎉

[@ganjarulez009]

that piano sounds so nice

[@rodrigobertoa5916]

Last time i went to a jam session and called spain they throwed me a weird look like i was asking for too much... then they called there will never be another you. There's a LOT of great songs but if your idea is to participate in jam sessions, is a good idea to know the ones on the first list.

[@rafaelribeiro2140]

Goosebumps here with the video editing. Amazing job!

[@Orlando-wn4uc]

Love me some Peter Martin evening jazz.

[@jarbasgoulartdecastro9104]

I was shure you woud play Lush Life as the number one. I agree. All the best,Peter!!!!

[@MattCarter67]

Strasbourg is an instant classic.

[@Muzikman127]

Loved it since the first time I heard it and have never stopped. Banger

[@tikibarry2279]

The first time I heard it, it sounded like " Micky Mickey Mickey Mickey MICKEY MOUSE" ... So I'm not that into it. I like the comping changes, to solo over...

[@DeepCrossing1]

Lush Life, such a feeling of heart break yet beauty

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Great list, took out my Flute and played along with these

[@j0nall3n]

Well played Sir

[@Adamreir]

Awesome list! Have been loving to play many of these for many years, and now the list expands! It would be awesome to have a recording of your fingers playing all of these standards! Beautiful and rich playing (as always)

[@vertxsecretstash]

Lessons from Mr, Martin give me life

[@tucki666]

So good but where's Beatrice?! 😻

[@pastafarian2046]

I can watch this ALL. DAY. LONG.