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Top Ten Jazz Songs To Listen To While Watching Basketball
1. 
Herbie Hancock
pianob.1940
This immortal, infectious and funky classic provides the perfect rhythmic impulses for fluid teamwork and precision passing with
Dexter Gordon
saxophone, tenor1923 - 1990
Freddie Hubbard
trumpet1938 - 2008
2. 
Lee Morgan
trumpet
1938 - 1972"
data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan: "Yes I Can, No You Can't"
From The Gigolo (Blue Note, 1965) Lee Morgan
trumpet1938 - 1972
Rubbery
Bob Cranshaw
bass1932 - 2016
Billy Higgins
drums1936 - 2001
3. 
Jaki Byard
piano
1922 - 1999"
data-original-title="" title="">Jaki Byard: "Tillie Butterball"
From Hi-Fly (New Jazz, 1962) Jaki Byard
piano1922 - 1999
The joyful, knuckle-twisting melody of Byard (who actually suffered from a serious hand ailment his entire life) and light, hypnotic beat of
Pete La Roca
drums1938 - 2012
4. 
Christian McBride
bass
b.1972"
data-original-title="" title="">Christian McBride: "Theme For Kareem"
From Kind of Brown (Mack Avenue, 2009) Christian McBride
bassb.1972
The snaking opening bass line by McBride personifies the sinewy strength of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (a big jazz fan and jazz advocate) and the band follows up with a full court press.
5. 
Junior Mance
piano
1928 - 2021"
data-original-title="" title="">Junior Mance: "Before This Time Another Year"
From Live At The Top (Atlantic, 1969) Junior Mance
piano1928 - 2021
Sanctified Philly soul by Mance on piano and the heavy pick-and-pop rhythmic drive by bassist Wilbur Little drive this one into the paint.
6. 
Buck Hill
saxophone, tenor
b.1927"
data-original-title="" title="">Buck Hill: "Beast Beautiful"
From Scope (Steeplechase, 1979) Buck Hill
saxophone, tenorb.1927
The jazz mailman delivers the goods on this spirited workout that goes for three from the arc.
7. 
Phil Woods
saxophone, alto
1931 - 2015"
data-original-title="" title="">Phil Woods Quintet + One: "Dr. Dunk"
From Flash (Concord, 1990) Phil Woods
saxophone, alto1931 - 2015
A true dusty gem, this deep groove composition by pianist
Hal Galper
piano1938 - 2025
Tom Harrell
trumpetb.1946
8. 
Joshua Redman
saxophone
b.1969"
data-original-title="" title="">Joshua Redman: "Sweet Nasty"
From Momentum (Nonesuch, 2005) Joshua Redman
saxophoneb.1969
A stop-start rhythm and Redman's yackety sax gives this greasy funk number the nod for fake-out moves and behind-the-back passes.
9. 
Rickey Woodard
saxophone, tenor
b.1950"
data-original-title="" title="">Rickey Woodard: "The Silver Strut"
From Flash (Concord, 1996) Rickey Woodard
saxophone, tenorb.1950
This fun, gospel-inspired strut delivers the razzle-dazzle of the Harlem Globetrotters with
Cedar Walton
piano1934 - 2013
10. 
Kenny Dorham
trumpet
1924 - 1972"
data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Dorham: "Una Mas (One More Time)"
From Una Mas (Blue Note, 1963) Kenny Dorham
trumpet1924 - 1972
Everything comes together for the game winner on this one—the hypnotic Latin tinge of Herbie Hancock, the percussive
Tony Williams
drums1945 - 1997
Joe Henderson
saxophone1937 - 2001
Butch Warren
bass1939 - 2013
Tags
Herbie Hancock
Top Ten List
Ken Hohman
Dexter Gordon
Freddie Hubbard
lee morgan
Bob Cranshaw
Billy Higgins
Jaki Byard
Pete La Roca
Christian McBride
Junior Mance
Buck Hill
Phil Woods
Hal Galper
Tom Harrell
Joshua Redman
Rickey Woodard
Cedar Walton
Kenny Dorham
Tony Williams
Joe Henderson
Butch Warren
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Herbie Hancock
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