November 1st unofficially kicks off the eating season. Festivities typically include inviting over guests and entertaining at your largest dining-room table. But most hosts struggle with the music. They want something lyrical and relaxed that isn't easy listening but they also want music that has meat on the bone. They want it to be heard way back in the distance yet remain interesting without cutting into dinner conversation. When the music is perfect, guests will ask the question that makes hosts swoon: "Hey, what are we listening to? This is really great."
A few weeks ago, Real Simple magazine asked me to create the perfect 10-track background soundtrack for a dinner party. Jazzy, but not noisy or pop nostalgic. Here's my perfect dinner-party playlist that I shared with the magazine's editors...
1. Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, Desafinado
2. Red Garland, East of the Sun
3. Bill Evans, Elsa
4. Frank Sinatra and Antônio Carlos Jobim, Change Partners
5. Wes Montgomery, Canadian Sunset
6. René Thomas, Meeting
7. Stanley Turrentine, She’s a Carioca
8. Sonny Rollins, On Impulse
9. Paul Desmond, When Joanna Loved Me
10. Oscar Peterson, Sally’s Tomato
If you'd prefer to use Spotify, a couple of the songs above aren't available on the service so I subbed in...
11. Buddy Greco, So Danca Samba
12. Antônio Carlos Jobim, The Red Blouse
13. Antônio Carlos Jobim, Chega De Saudade
JazzWax tracks: You'll find each of the tracks below at Amazon or iTunes as a download. Or, to listen for free, go here. Or play the Spotify jukebox below by clicking on the white triangle...
