jazz house
subgenre of house music
Jazz house is a vibrant blend of electronic beats and jazz improvisation that creates an exhilarating soundscape perfect for both dance floors and intimate listening sessions. With its rich textures, you’ll find smooth saxophones weaving through deep house rhythms, while syncopated piano lines bounce alongside pulsing basslines. The energy shifts effortlessly from laid-back grooves to high-energy crescendos, inviting you to lose yourself in its intricate layers. It’s a genre that exudes warmth and invites spontaneity, making it incredibly engaging for both musicians and listeners alike.
Emerging in the late 1980s and early 1990s, jazz house developed primarily in Chicago and New York as DJs began to incorporate jazz elements into their sets amidst the burgeoning house scene. This was a time when the rigid structures of dance music were breaking open, responding to the creative impulses of jazz greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Pioneering artists like Larry Heard (aka Mr. Fingers) with “Can You Feel It,” or the lush soundscapes of Masters at Work exemplified this exciting synthesis, creating tracks that resonated deeply with the spirit of both genres.
To dive into jazz house, start with "Deep Burnt" by Pepe Bradock; its hypnotic groove and soulful sampling encapsulate the genre beautifully. Next, explore “Let’s Groove” by George Morel for a joyful fusion of funky basslines and jazzy melodies. Don’t miss “I Feel for You” by Bob Sinclar, which showcases infectious rhythms paired with delightful horns. Finally, check out the work of Jazzanova; their remixes often capture the essence of what makes jazz house so compelling. And if you find yourself captivated, consider venturing into related styles like broken beat or nu-jazz for even more rhythmic exploration.
23 artists in the catalog.
Start here
One One One
Shining · 2013
Top jazz house albums
See essentials
All jazz house artists
Shining
progressive rock
Nitin Sawhney
jazz
Gotan Project
dub music, electronic music
Kraak & Smaak
electronic music
Klingande
deep house
Jazzanova
broken beat, clubjazz
Miguel Migs
house music
Swayzak
tech house
Will Holland
clubjazz, cumbia
Tom Middleton
electronica
St Germain
Detroit techno, house music
Bicep
electronic music
Todd Edwards
Derrick Carter
house music
Moodymann
house music, techno
Mark Farina
house music
About jazz house
What is jazz house?
subgenre of house music
Where should I start with jazz house?
Start with "One One One" by Shining. It captures what makes jazz house worth exploring.
What are the best jazz house albums?
The jazz house albums worth hearing first: "One One One" by Shining, "Where the Ragged People Go" by Shining, "In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster" by Shining, "International Blackjazz Society" by Shining and "Grindstone" by Shining.
How many jazz house artists are there?
northsound.fm covers 23 jazz house artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.