Romantic Jazz

Jazz can be complex, shot through with irreverent energy, and trippy. But here, the most versatile form of pop takes on the feel — and amorous power — of fine wine and candlelight, and becomes a kind of musical poetry that touches the deepest places in the heart. Norah Jones won an armful of GRAMMYs® on the back of "Don't Know Why", and it's no mystery why the tune has become a lovers' favourite: it's gorgeous and destined to become a standard much like Chet Baker's "My Funny Valentine" and "The Way You Look Tonight" (sung here by Muchael Bublé). Great writers, classic songs, and definitive performances all help set the mood.

Tony Bennett picks up Bogart's request to play it again, in Next Steps.

The sheer elation of new love has perhaps never been so perfectly captured as in "Fly Me to the Moon", written by Bart Howard in 1954 and nailed a decade later by Sinatra, who's reading of the timeless material is perfect. Dave Brubeck's version of the Hoagy Carmichael classic "Stardust" has just about everything to set the mood except candlelight; Tony Bennett's take on "As Time Goes By" may uproot the tune from its Casablanca context but it plays brilliantly any time, any place; and Fred Astaire delivers Cole Porter's "Night and Day" like no one else — that's because he owned the song on Broadway, on celluloid and on vinyl.

Susannah McCorkle poses an unanswerable question, in Deep Cuts.

Jazz has a way of transforming a familiar theme or melody into something that quickens the pulse (rather like romance itself) and the Manhattan Transfer's a cappella take on the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" is fresh and unexpected; on the other hand, John Pizzarelli's cover of Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" is as comfortable, and familiar, as a favourite sweater. Susannah McCorkle's "How Deep Is the Ocean" connects to us in the same way that love does, through our emotions rather than our intellect, Regina Carter's "There's a Small Hotel" revels in its sense of illicit fun, and Steve Tyrell's "I'm in the Mood for Love" concisely sums up our entire playlist's sentiment.

Look, if jazz weren't romantic, there wouldn't be way too many albums with titles like Sax Appeal and The Joy of Sax. Marketing departments have a way of over-egging the pudding, but let's face it, when it comes to creating an ambience, especially for amour, jazz goes places bluegrass doesn't. We've assembled a playlist both modern and classic, vocal and instrumental, for you and your intended's listening pleasure, featuring the sublime instrumental talents of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, and the golden tones of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra. Now it's your affair to find the romantic spot, pop the champagne, and pitch some "woo".