<strong>What are the origins of jazz music?</strong>

Jazz Wedding Songs to Don’t Worry Be Happy On Your Big Day

When you think of jazz, do your toes start tapping? Are you thinking of cocktail tables, black ties, and martinis? You must have a jazz playlist if your wedding includes a cocktail hour. Jazz spans many different styles of music such as Swing, Big Band, Bossa Nova, Contemporary, and much more.

Quick Tips

When picking out jazz songs for your wedding, you must consider the following 3 factors:

1. What is the tempo of the song to determine the vibe?
2. What is the desired theme – classy, upbeat (not a snoozefest)?
3. What moment of the wedding ceremony or reception will the song play?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of jazz wedding songs. Songs are selected by the song’s meaning and popular hits by today’s couples.

Song Ideas by Genre and Vibe

Classic Jazz Standards & Vocals

These are legendary songs that most people will know no matter their age.

A Sunday Kind Of Love – Etta James
At Last – Etta James
Cheek To Cheek – Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga
Come Fly with Me – Frank Sinatra
Come Rain Or Come Shine – Ray Charles
Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Fitzgerald, Armstrong
Feeling Good – Nina Simone
Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra, Count Basie
Give Me A Kiss To Build A Dream On – Louis Armstrong
I Get A Kick Out Of You – Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
I’ve Got A Crush On You – Ella Fitzgerald
In the Mood – Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
Just the Two of Us – Bill Withers & Grover Washington, Jr.
L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) – Armstrong, Fitzgerald
Love Is Here To Stay – Tony Bennett, Diana Krall
My One and Only Love – John Coltrane, J. Hartman
My Way – Frank Sinatra
Smile – Nat “King” Cole
Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Etta James
That’s Amore – Dean Martin
The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
Theme From New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
There Is No Greater Love – Chet Baker
Unforgettable – Nat “King” Cole, Natalie Cole
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
When I Fall In Love – Nat “King” Cole
Who Loves You? – Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson
You Stepped Out Of A Dream – Sarah Vaughan

Smooth Jazz & Contemporary Jazz

A list of songs to play that will set a tone for fun or romance while being played as background music.

Upbeat Tempo

Champagne of My Life – Peet Project
I Like the Way You Move – Bill McGee
Let’s Face The Music And Dance – Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra feat. Sharon Van Etten
Lov-Lov-Love – Mario Biondi, Incognito
Lovefool – Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Lovely Day – José James
My Baby Just Cares For Me – Jeff Goldblum
Never Quit Loving You – Jill Barber
Rise – Herb Alpert
So in Love – Art Sherrod Jr
Soulful Strut – Grover Washington, Jr.
That’s Enough – Janelle Monáe

Slow Tempo

A Song for You – Herbie Hancock feat. Christina Aguilera
All I Want Is You – Boney James feat. October London
Best Part – RJC (Rhythm & Jazz Coalition)
Better Than I Imagined – Robert Glasper
Coastin’ – Boney James, Lalah Hathaway
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
Everything to Me – Imagesong
Everything You Touch Is Gold – Gregory Porter
Happy Feelings – Frankie Beverly & Maze Smooth Jazz Tribute
It Had To Be You – Jac Ross
Let’s Fall In Love – Diana Krall
Our Love Is Here to Stay – C. Collins, A. Olatuja
So Emotional – Miles Davis, Lalah Hathaway
Someone Like You – Van Morrison feat. Joss Stone
That’s the Way Love Goes – Norman Brown
The Nearness of You – Norah Jones

Latin Jazz

Depending on where wedding guests’ culture and heritage, these songs would be appropriate for a wide range of guests.

A Taste of Honey – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Ladyfingers – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Mais Que Nada – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
The Girl from Ipanema – Stan Getz & João Gilberto

Bossa Nova

I added a few modern songs for any wedding reception cocktail or dinner playlist plus a legendary jazz hit too.

From The Start – Laufey
It Could Happen To You – Laufey
Take Five – Dave Brubeck
The Look Of Love – Diana Krall
The Way You Look Tonight – Karen Souza
Valentine – Laufey

Pop & Mainstream

Enjoy a list of tracks you would typically hear “on the radio” with a heavy jazz sound.

A Wink And A Smile – Harry Connick Jr.
Breezin’ – George Benson
Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) – Us3
Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Feels so Good – Chuck Mangione
Give Me the Night – George Benson
Giving You The Best That I Got – Anita Baker
Hold On – Michael Bublé
Love X Love – George Benson
Moondance – Van Morrison
On Broadway – George Benson
Recipe For Love – Harry Connick Jr.
Sea of Love – Brad Holt
Sweet Love – Anita Baker
The Best Is Yet To Come – Michael Bublé
We’re in This Love Together – Al Jarreau
What You Won’t Do for Love – Bobby Caldwell
You And I – Michael Bublé
Your Love is King – Sade

Do you have a favorite jazz song(s) to play during a wedding? Please share the music in the below comments section.

Tips

There are many great instrumental jazz songs. If this interests you, see our official list of instrumental songs to play at weddings.

Many jazz songs make for great swing music. See our list of swing songs to get guests dancing at your wedding reception.

Fun Facts

Jazz music was influenced by West African folk music. Although it is thought that Jazz started in New Orleans in the early 20th century, it’s simply not the birthplace. Though it is part of the route up the Mississippi River where jazz is most famous — St. Louis, Chicago, and Kansas City.

Jazz music is an American creation. In many ways, it’s the only truly American music. Jazz music is more than just enjoyed by other musicians. It is considered a heartfelt expression of the soul.

“Jazz” isn’t just one style of music either. Jazz spans many different styles of music such as Swing, Big Band, Dixieland, Scat, and much more. Early Jazz musicians were Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Jelly Roll Morton. In the 1930s Jazz Swing was most popular with artists like Count Basie, the Dorsey Brothers, and Artie Shaw.