10 Bee-Themed Jazz Tracks You Need to Hear
A bee-themed jazz playlist might sound unusual, but Adam Williams — outgoing Jazz Programming Manager at Guildhall — proves the two worlds have more in common than you'd think. After 7+ years shaping jazz education, he's transitioning to full-time beekeeping with a 10-track playlist that bridges both passions.
Jazz Classics That Buzz With Bee Energy
Williams opens with Fats Waller's 'Honeysuckle Rose' and Lionel Hampton's 'Buzzin' Around with the Bee' — two jazz staples that capture the frenetic, humming energy of a working hive. Count Basie's 'The Queen Bee' and Lee Morgan's 'Sweet Honey Bee' round out the swing and hard bop selections with regal swagger and soul. These tracks aren't just thematically fitting — they represent some of the most vibrant moments in jazz history.
Guildhall Highlights Woven Into the Jazz News
Several picks double as personal milestones from Williams' career. Charles Mingus' rarely performed 'Epitaph' was staged at the London Jazz Festival in 2022, while Palle Mikkelborg's 'AURA' — unperformed since the 1980s — was brought back to the London stage under his watch. A performance of Miles Davis' 'Porgy and Bess' with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen also features, marking the start of Miles' centenary year.
Contemporary Soul and the Collective Memory of Music
The playlist closes with more recent discoveries. Snowpoet's 2025 track 'Skin' — reimagined for a 30-piece student ensemble — carries lyrics Williams connects to honey as collective memory. Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate's 'Queen Bee' serves as a reminder of music's power to connect cultures and histories. Andrew Bird's 'Masterswarm' adds a genre-agnostic, violin-driven energy that reflects Williams' own musical roots.
Key Takeaways
Adam Williams' bee-themed jazz playlist is a rare blend of personal history, jazz education, and natural wonder. Whether you're a jazz fan or simply curious, these 10 tracks offer a fresh, meaningful way to explore the genre's depth and range.
Author: Rosa Sawer
Source: UK Jazz News
Published: September 26, 2026
