Hosting a weekend game night is a great way to connect with friends and family and generate some healthy competition. From card games to board games, there are endless ways to get creative when it comes to game night. However, there are a few key components that go into hosting the perfect game night.
Of course, playing exciting games and providing delicious snacks and drinks are a must. While these are obvious components of a game night, many people hosting game night parties often forget to set the right tone and ambiance with music.
Below, this article will explore some of the top jazz pieces that can help you create a memorable game night for you and your friends. After reading this article, you’ll know exactly which songs to add to your “Game Night Playlist”.
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
Released in 1954, Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” is one of the most recognizable Jazz pieces in music history. This song was originally supposed to be titled “In Order Words” but composer Bart Howard changed the title in 1963. This song is one of ten songs on the full album “It Might as Well Be Swing”.
Playing any of these jazz tunes from this album is perfect for your game night. Playing this music in the background can help improve concentration, which can be helpful for high-stakes competitions such as blackjack tournaments or Jackpot sit-and-go. Research from Maryville University supports the idea that jazz music can help enhance concentration, a necessary skill for competitive games like these.
When playing jazz music at your game night, be sure to keep the volume at a medium level. If the volume is too high, it can become a distraction to players. However, you’ll want to make sure it’s loud enough to set the right “ambiance” during your game.
At Last- Etta James
Another Jazz piece to add to your playlist is “At Last” by Etta James. Released in 1942, this song was originally written to be used in the musical “Sun Valley Serenade”. After its release, this version quickly became popular amongst jazz lovers, reaching #2 on the US Billboard music pop music chart.
In addition to “At Last”, Etta James has several other jazz songs that would be perfect to play during your game night, such as “Stormy Weather” and “Tell Mama’. If you’re playing games requiring memory skills on your game night, these titles are perfect for playing in the background.
In a research study from Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers found that listening to jazz can help improve memory recall. This research was done using functional MRIs to look at brain activity after listening to jazz music.
What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong
When playing games such as Scrabble that require creativity, playing jazz music in the background is a great idea. Released in 1967 as a single, Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” is a feel-good song that everyone will recognize. This popular hit gained lots of popularity in 1988 after the song was used in a popular film “Good Morning, Vietnam”. After using this song in the movie, it rose to #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Researchers at John Hopkins Medicine found that jazz music can help spark creative thinking. The study suggested that jazz music may promote more innovation by stimulating the brain’s delta and theta waves.
Mack The Knife- Ella Fitzgerald
Mack the Knife is another popular jazz song from 1928, based on the story of an 18th-century thief. This unique jazz song is perfect for playing at a game night and serves as a conversation starter. Many jazz artists have rerecorded this song, with one of the most popular being Ella Fitzgerald’s version from 1960.
The mentioned version was recorded in Berlin, where she forgot the lyrics but quickly used jazz improvisation to record a great song. This piece is an excellent choice for any type of game night, from casino games to board games. You can always find a good time to listen to Fitzgerald’s beautiful performances.
Other Benefits of Listening to Jazz
In addition to improved concentration, creativity, and memory recall, listening to jazz also offers many other benefits. Given the upbeat and “happy” tone of the music, playing it on your game night can help set the tone for a great time.
Furthermore, many people find jazz music to help reduce stress and anxiety. After a long work week, it can help you and your friends relax and unwind while playing recreational games.
Play Jazz at Your Next Game Night
Ready to host your next game night? With these top pieces of jazz on your game night playlist, it’s sure to be a hit. Whether you’re trying to enhance concentration or spark creativity, this is one of the best genres to play to set the right ambiance for an unforgettable game night.