I’ve always been drawn to the allure of jazz, the vibe, the calm, the peace, and the deep sense of rest it carries. Jazz feels like a love story, not just with someone else, but with yourself too. It captures both the beauty and the tension of life in a way that feels profoundly human.

When I think of the autumn and winter seasons, jazz naturally comes to mind. I imagine a warm bath with it playing softly in the background, or the dream of stepping into a speakeasy and being wrapped in the magic of live music.

Jazz is a soul-touching experience, one that reminds us to slow down, to really live and to celebrate the moments that matter. But it is more than music; it is a mood, a rhythm, a lifestyle. It is a feeling that can shape how we move through our day, how we curate our spaces, and even how we see ourselves. Jazz is aesthetic as much as it is sound. It is soft lighting, warm drinks, quiet reflection and the permission to improvise, to embrace unpredictability while finding beauty in it.

Listening to jazz has a way of transforming ordinary moments into something more. Cooking dinner becomes meditative, a walk home becomes cinematic, and a quiet evening alone becomes an intentional pause rather than a mere routine. Jazz invites presence. It asks you to notice the subtlety, the textures, the spaces in between, the pauses as much as the notes.

The wellness side of jazz

There is growing evidence that listening to jazz can support mental well-being and relaxation. According to the article “What are the Benefits of Listening to Jazz Music?” by Riddle Village, “Jazz music relaxes the body by activating your alpha brain waves, which helps with reducing anxiety and promoting a calm mind.” You can read the article here.

A pilot study titled “Mindful Jazz and Preferred Music Interventions Reduce Pain Among Patients with Chronic Pain and Anxiety” by S. D. Young et al., published in Cureus in 2025, found that listening to jazz music significantly reduced chronic musculoskeletal pain and anxiety compared with control conditions. You can read the study here.

In other words, putting on jazz can send a gentle signal to your nervous system to settle. Your mind may shift into a lighter, calmer rhythm and your focus and mood may improve.

Simple ways to integrate jazz into your routine

Slow evening ritual

After the day’s work, dim the lights, make a warm drink and play a jazz playlist. Let the music fill the space while you reflect, read or simply sit. This is about creating atmosphere and slowing the rhythm of your evening.

Ambient work or reading session

When you need focus but also calm, put on instrumental jazz music. The subtle rhythms support concentration without distraction. Use it while journalling, writing, reading or simply thinking.

Live experience 

Find a live jazz venue in London, dress for the moment, soak in the ambience and watch musicians improvise in real time. The energy, the sound, and the space all deepen the jazz lifestyle beyond your headphones.

Jazz spots in London to try

Here are some jazz venues in London that I’ve researched and hope to visit:

606 Club, Chelsea: Hidden down Lots Road, the 606 Club is a basement jazz sanctuary. It’s intimate and brimming with live music nearly every night. Picture velvet curtains, a low stage, candlelit tables and the warm hum of conversation between sets. Imagine yourself nestled in a corner with a drink, lost in a saxophone solo.

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Soho: An iconic address in London’s jazz history. Since 1959, Ronnie Scott’s has hosted world-class musicians and loyal jazz lovers. The vibe is classic yet comfortable, with red banquettes, dark wood and live music that feels alive and present. A place where you come for the music and stay for the feeling.

Nightjar, Shoreditch: For a speakeasy twist, Nightjar blends jazz, cocktails and atmosphere. Low lighting, live swing or jazz sets and perhaps a hidden door to find. It’s less of a traditional club and more of an immersive experience, perfect if you want more than just listening; you want to feel the world around you.

Anu Aborisade