Lester Loves Ariana (S6 | E273)
Welcome back to another edition of Lester the Nightfly. I’m your host, PJ Ewing, and this week we are doing something a bit different. Usually, we are deeply entrenched in the lineage of Bill Evans, the vocal stylings of Nina Simone, or the modern arrangements of Allen Broadbent. But as any true student of music knows, excellence in phrasing, range, and production deserves our attention wherever it lives.
That’s why this week, we’re pivoting to the contemporary master of pop and R&B: Ariana Grande.
Beyond the Pop Spectacle
If you’ve been following my explorations into jazz, you know I have a deep appreciation for artists who understand the architecture of a song. While Grande is often categorized as a “pop star,” listening to this week’s playlist reveals an artist with a jazz-adjacent sensibility for vocal acrobatics and soul.
We’re diving into a curated selection that highlights her evolution:
- The Sweetener Era: We’ll be spinning tracks like “breathin” and “goodnight n go.” There is a dreamlike, atmospheric quality to these recordings that reminds me of the “cool jazz” movement—it’s music that breathes and uses space as an instrument.
- thank u, next: This era brought us some of her most honest work. From the rhythmic complexity of “7 rings” to the vulnerable, almost noir-esque feeling of “needy,” she demonstrates a command over her “instrument” that is undeniable.
- Eternal Sunshine & Positions: We’ll wrap up with her more recent explorations, including “the boy is mine” and “worst behavior.” The production here is slick, but the vocal layering is what truly fascinates me—it’s like a modern-day take on the complex vocal harmonies we often celebrate in classic jazz ensembles.
Why This Matters to Us
At Lester the Nightfly, we celebrate the intersection of craft and emotion. Whether it’s a rare Nina Simone recording or a high-fidelity track from Positions, we are looking for that spark of genius. Grande’s ability to weave through genres—touching on R&B, soul, and pop while maintaining a signature vocal identity—makes her one of the most compelling voices of our time.
So, pour yourself something smooth, settle in with your iPad mini (I’ll be taking my notes on mine, as usual), and join me for a journey through the “eternal sunshine” of these modern classics.
Lester Loves Ariana (S6 | E273)
| Track Name | Album Name | Artist Name(s) | Release Date | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASA REMIX | thank u, next | Ariana Grande | 2/8/19 | Republic Records |
| NASA | thank u, next | Ariana Grande | 2/8/19 | Republic Records |
| pov | Positions | Ariana Grande | 10/30/20 | Republic Records |
| ordinary things (feat. Nonna) | eternal sunshine | Ariana Grande; Nonna | 3/8/24 | Republic Records |
| goodnight n go | Sweetener | Ariana Grande | 8/17/18 | Republic Records |
| positions | Positions | Ariana Grande | 8/17/21 | Republic Records |
| My Everything | My Everything (Deluxe) | Ariana Grande | 8/22/14 | Universal Records |
| the boy is mine | eternal sunshine | Ariana Grande; Nonna | 3/8/24 | Republic Records |
| everytime | Sweetener | Ariana Grande | 8/17/18 | Republic Records |
| Break Free | My Everything (Deluxe) | Ariana Grande;Zedd | 8/22/14 | Universal Records |
| Into You | Dangerous Woman | Ariana Grande | 5/20/16 | Universal Records |
| bloodline | thank u, next | Ariana Grande | 2/8/19 | Republic Records |
| Right There | Yours Truly | Ariana Grande; Big Sean | 1/1/13 | Universal Records |
| One Last Time | My Everything (Deluxe) | Ariana Grande | 8/22/14 | Universal Records |
| Intro | My Everything (Deluxe) | Ariana Grande | 8/22/14 | Universal Records |
| Baby I | Yours Truly | Ariana Grande | 1/1/13 | Universal Records |
