The Mellow Cello

"Bags' Groove" is another popular jazz standard and "head" written by American jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson, who was nicknamed "Bags". Of the many recordings of this jazz composition, the most famous one is Miles Davis's quintet's 1954 recording.

What other jazz tunes or jazz heads should I play?

Since I am experimenting with jazz improvisation, let me know what you think, and tell me your thoughts, especially if you are a jazz musician!

If you enjoyed the music and want to hear it at your next event, then book me directly on GigSalad at www.gigsalad.com/the_mellow_cello_muncie!

Written by the great tenor saxophonist , and featuring a B-flat blues backtrack, "Tenor Madness" is a common jazz "head", which is the melody of a song that is usually played at the beginning and the end of an improvisation performance. (Fun Fact: This is the only tune that Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane ever recorded together!)

What other jazz heads should I play?

Since I am experimenting with jazz improvisation in this recording, let me know what you think, and tell me your thoughts, especially if you are a jazz musician!

Additionally, new recordings will now be posted regularly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

's well-known version of was released in October 2003, but I was surprised to learn that this song was actually originally composed and released in 2002 by Norwegian composer, lyricist, arranger, and pianist Rolf Løvland, who – along with Irish violinist and vocalist Fionnuala Sherry – makes up the Celtic-Nordic group Secret Garden.

In an interview in February 2010 with Radio Norge, a Norwegian radio station, Løvland stated that this song had been covered more than 500 times thus far, including by the Irish boy band Westlife in 2005, Welsh singer Aled Jones, and the all-female Irish ensemble Celtic Women.

On a more personal note, I have actually performed this song twice with a handbell choir at a local church in my hometown. I love this song because of its hopeful and inspiring soul, and to me, it feels like a call to never give up no matter how hard things get.

What is your favorite song? 🎶