blog post Count Basie, Oliver Jones satisfy cravings for jazz desserts

It happens to us all. You’re getting through the day, trying your hardest to make healthy choices: carrot sticks instead of chips; taking the stairs instead of going up a few floors on the elevator. Then, someone sabotages all your hard work by bringing in a box of Timbits or making delicious chocolate chip cookies for everyone to share. One whiff and it’s over.

Not too long ago, when I was producing Tonic, the CBC Radio 2 jazz show out of Calgary, something similar happened to me. Instead of giving in to my sugar craving, I sprinted past the table of treats, held my breath and went straight to my desk to do some music programming. I put on my headphones and lost myself in my other love, jazz. I couldn’t help laughing to myself as I listened; almost every song was about food. Come on! Looks like I wasn’t the only one with treats on the brain. It turns out the jazz songbook is full of potential pitfalls, too.

On that note, here’s some music to tempt your taste buds.

1. "Orange Sherbet"
Count Basie
Band leader Count Basie must have had a tough time conducting his big band with a cone in one hand. If the stage lights didn’t melt his ice cream, the hard swinging horn section definitely did.

2. “Cheesecake”   
Jake Langley
Let’s hope guitarist Jake Langley isn’t allergic to dairy with this soft, cheesy, biscuit-based delight. Let’s share. Two forks, please.

3. “Potato Chips"
Slim Gaillard and His Baker’s Dozen,
Getting your tongue around some of Slim’s silly lyrics is hard enough, even without a mouth full of chips! Good luck.

4. "Candy”
Nat King Cole
Nat would have enjoyed some excellent candy in his lifetime, like Bazooka Gum, Tootsie Pops and Sweet Tarts. Sadly, he died in 1965, missing out on some really great confectionary goodies like Skittles and Caramilk bars. Now that’s something to croon about.

5. “Dumpcake Blues"   
Oliver Jones
Oliver Jones once joked that dumpcake is the reason why he carries around a few extra pounds. I can see why. It includes cake mix, butter, pie filling, nuts and whipped cream “dumped” together and baked to perfection.

I’ll be honest. After listening to all this great music, I went back and had a donut. But just one! We all need a bit of sugar.

What’s your favourite food-related jazz tune? Let us know in the comments below, or write to jazz@cbc.ca.

Related links

Canadian Jazz Essentials: Michelle Grégoire’s picks

Thelonious Monk: ‘Stop playing all those weird notes, play the melody!’