Whether you're a seasoned Lindy Hopper, a casual solo mover, or just love the energy a great jazz track brings to a room, the right playlist is everything. Jazz dance is a living, breathing art form, and its soundtrack evolves while always honoring its roots. We've blended the essential classics with contemporary cuts that capture the same infectious spirit.

The Foundational Classics (Swing & Big Band Era)

You can't talk about jazz dance without starting here. These tracks are the bedrock, packed with the driving rhythms and soaring horns that defined an era of social dance.

• "Take The 'A' Train" - Duke Ellington

  The anthem of the Swing Era. That unmistakable melody is a siren call to the dance floor, perfect for sophisticated footwork and elegant turns.

• "Jumpin' at the Woodside" - Count Basie

  Pure, unadulterated energy. Basie's relentless rhythm section will test your stamina and inspire explosive, joyful moves.

• "Sing, Sing, Sing" - Benny Goodman

  With Gene Krupa's legendary drum intro, this track is a theatrical masterpiece. Build your routine to its climactic frenzy.

• "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" - Duke Ellington feat. Ivie Anderson

  The title says it all. The definitive lesson in what "swing" truly feels like.

Cool & Soulful (The Post-Bop & Soul-Jazz Era)

As jazz cooled down, the dance evolved. These tracks invite smoother, more fluid movements, grounded grooves, and a heavy dose of soul.

• "Cantaloupe Island" - Herbie Hancock

  That iconic vamp is a groove magnet. It's funky, it's cool, and it provides a timeless canvas for modern jazz movement.

• "The Sidewinder" - Lee Morgan

  A bluesy, boogaloo-infused track that moves with a sly, slinking rhythm. Perfect for sharp, articulated isolations.

• "Watermelon Man" - Herbie Hancock

  The original version simmers with a Latin-tinged groove, while the later Headhunters version offers a funkier interpretation. Both are gold.

• "Moanin'" - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

  A hard bop masterpiece driven by Bobby Timmons' unforgettable piano riff and Blakey's powerful swing. Pure fire.

Latin Jazz Infusions

Jazz dance has always embraced Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms. These tracks add spice, hip movement, and complex polyrhythms to your repertoire.

• "Oye Como Va" - Tito Puente

  Before Santana, there was the original mambo king. This cha-cha-chá rhythm is irresistible and foundational for Latin jazz dance.

• "Desafinado" - Stan Getz & João Gilberto

  The smooth, laid-back cool of Bossa Nova. This track calls for intimate, subtle, and graceful partnership dancing.

The Modern Grooves (21st Century)

Jazz is not a museum piece. Today's artists are pushing the boundaries, creating new classics that honor the tradition while speaking in a modern voice.

• "Virtue" - The Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Phonte

  Glasper blends jazz harmony with hip-hop and R&B grooves. This track has a laid-back, head-nodding beat that inspires smooth, grounded movement.

• "Lingus (We Like It Here)" - Snarky Puppy

  A modern fusion epic. The complex, interlocking rhythms and synth work demand precision and creativity, building to an explosive climax.

• "Twice" - Little North

  A beautiful, melancholic yet driving piece from the modern Scandinavian jazz scene. Its evolving dynamics are perfect for expressive, contemporary jazz dance.

• "Creeper" - Kamasi Washington

  From the modern saxophone colossus, this track is a powerful, sprawling funk journey. It's bold, spiritual, and moves with immense force.