In January 1971, in one of his final performances, Louis Armstrong used "Hello Dolly" to convey the joy of being alive. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Ryan Shaw covers 1967's "You Don't Know Nothing About Love" with tenderness and pyrotechnics. Carol Friedman hide caption

Heritage Blues Orchestra's "Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down" is a vigorous mash-up of blues, gospel and jazz. Michael Wein hide caption

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach makes Dr. John (pictured) sound fresh and intimate by connecting him to his vital musical past. James Demaria Productions hide caption

Full of unexpected twists, Anderson and Roe's Michael Jackson cover takes a pianistic moonwalk. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

In "Oh My My," Jill Barber is a 21st-century original: a rootsy big-band swinger with hip-hop attitude. Ivan Otis hide caption

Catherine Russell plays with the simple, sultry jazz standard "Romance in the Dark" in unexpected ways. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Tigran Hamasyan lets the melody sing a song of yearning and hope in "Mother, Where Are You?" Christian Ducasse hide caption

Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts turns the exuberant "Joy to the World" into a ragtime tinged with melancholy. John Douglas hide caption

"Rose City Strut" is a funky, alluring collaboration between MarchFourth Marching Band (pictured) and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Andy Batt hide caption

Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, Afro-Semitic Experience's "Adoshem, Adoshem, Part I" is a prayerful song that heads in unexpected directions. Hubert Williams hide caption

A 43-year-old blues singer and guitarist, Tab Benoit doesn't seem intimidated by the glorious history of "Nothing Takes the Place of You." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

A jazz pianist raised in Jamaica, Monty Alexander is the perfect choice to put a new spin on Bob Marley's "The Heathen." Courtesy of the artist hide caption