So history lesson that will make sense shortly: there’s a jazz song I love called “take 5” that was originally performed by Dave Brubeck and his orchestra but was written by the amazing Paul Desmond who wrote many other incredible pieces including my Favourite “unsquare dance” known for it’s weird time signature.
Now the reason I mention this is because you’ve all heard take 5 even if you have no clue you have. It’s been the jazz background in every fricken show in the universe at some point. Seriously, look it up. You’ll know it. West wing, stupid amounts of crime shows, lots of space shows, every weird fricken show, it’s just in everything.
But there’s a really fantastic reason for that. Basically Paul Desmond left all royalties to his entire catalogue to the Red Cross in perpetuity and every person who selects music for movies and tv knows this. And every play on every rerun throws donation money to the Red Cross.
Every time they’re asked for some background jazz, the first choice is Paul Desmond and usually Dave Brubecks take 5. Partially because it’s a great background song but mostly because the sound engineers of movies and tv like to give back. You rock guys.
This ends the weird history lesson and why this may be the only jazz you ever know.
(Side note: I’m noting that yes, Red Cross have issues but they’re mostly ok for donations especially at the time when Paul desmond was making them)