Congalero Mongo Santamaria wrote the music. Following that, Oscar Brown Jr. composed a beautiful lyric. And then, Trane (John Coltrane that is) dropped a stirring instrumental. The song took off and soon afterward became a jazz standard. From there “Afro Blue” was re-recorded by literally dozens of artists, in diverse styles from classic jazz to hip hop. 

What is interesting is despite the wide variety of approaches that are taken, the song remains almost instantly identifiable. Indeed, it’s hard, if not impossible, to have only one favorite version.

Enjoy this cornucopia of approaches to the classic “Afro Blue”.