Modal Jazz · Genres
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What is modal jazz?

An understanding of modal jazz requires knowledge of musical modes. In bebop as well as in hard bop, musicians used chords to provide the background for their solos.

About modal jazz

A song would start out with a theme, which would introduce the chords used for the solos. These chords would be repeated throughout the whole song, while the soloists would play new, improvised themes over the repeated chord progression.

From Last.fm, where 816 listeners have tagged music as modal jazz.

Artists to start with

  1. George Russell
  2. Bill Evans Trio
  3. Ryo Fukui
  4. Bill Evans
  5. McCoy Tyner
  6. Miles Davis
  7. John Coltrane
  8. P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble
  9. McCoy Tyner Trio
  10. Wayne Shorter

Albums to hear first

  • Coltrane's Sound by John ColtraneColtrane's SoundJohn Coltrane
  • Milestones by Miles DavisMilestonesMiles Davis
  • A Love Supreme by John ColtraneA Love SupremeJohn Coltrane
  • Empyrean Isles (Expanded Edition) by Herbie HancockEmpyrean Isles (Expanded Edition)Herbie Hancock
  • Impressions by John ColtraneImpressionsJohn Coltrane
  • You Must Believe In Spring (Remastered Version) by Bill EvansYou Must Believe In Spring (Remastered Version)Bill Evans
  • Giant Steps (2020 Remaster) by John ColtraneGiant Steps (2020 Remaster)John Coltrane
  • In a Silent Way by Miles DavisIn a Silent WayMiles Davis

Modal Jazz songs

  1. So What (feat. John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans) by Miles Davis
  2. Shhh / Peaceful by Miles Davis
  3. Early Summer by Ryo Fukui
  4. John Coltrane by Clifford Jordan
  5. Spiral by John Coltrane
  6. So What by Miles Davis
  7. Flamenco Sketches [alternate take] by Miles Davis
  8. All Blues by Miles Davis
  9. Freddie Freeloader by Miles Davis
  10. Bedouin by Grant Green

Modal Jazz on Risocast

  • Kind Of Blue by Miles DavisKind Of BlueMiles Davis · 1959
  • Kind Of Blue (Legacy Edition) by Miles DavisKind Of Blue (Legacy Edition)Miles Davis · 1959
  • A Love Supreme by John ColtraneA Love SupremeJohn Coltrane · 1965

Neighbouring genres

In the jazz & blues family. All genres

bluescool jazzbossa novaacid jazzblues rockbebopavant-garde jazzdelta blueschicago bluesdark jazzcountry bluesdesert blues

Questions

What is modal jazz?
An understanding of modal jazz requires knowledge of musical modes. In bebop as well as in hard bop, musicians used chords to provide the background for their solos. A song would start out with a theme, which would introduce the chords used for the solos.
Who are the best-known modal jazz artists?
By Last.fm listening: George Russell, Bill Evans Trio, Ryo Fukui, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner and Miles Davis.
What genres are similar to modal jazz?
On Risocast it sits with blues, cool jazz, bossa nova, acid jazz, blues rock and bebop.

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Updated 6 October 2026

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