Music is a very important part of every game, but is often left until last minute by most hosts. The best movies you’ve ever watched have all had an amazing matching soundtrack that brought it to life. The same is true for murder mystery dinner parties.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a free album of copyright-free jazz music for your party. I created this playlist for myself originally as one of my uploads to YouTube got hit with a copyright violation because the algorithm recognized one the songs in the background at a party. Since then, I’ve used only copyright-free music. This isn’t an issue if you’re not planning to upload any videos, so don’t stress yourself.

→ Stream my free 1920s murder mystery jazz playlist on YouTube

This playlist is part of the complete free murder mystery template collection – which is a bunch of free templates that I’ve created for all of you to use at your next party.

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Where Else Can I Find Free Murder Mystery Music

There are tons of great options on YouTube and Spotify. If you’re hosting a 1920s party, you’ll want easy jazz or some instrumental piano tunes. Simply check what music matches best to your theme, and you’ll find some free options online. If you’re planning to upload videos to YouTube and are worried about copyright strikes, simply include “royalty-free” or “copyright-free” in your search. These songs can be played in the background without getting strikes to your account.

Music Options for Other Themes

This speakeasy playlist is specifically built for 1920s games. If you’re using a different theme, here are your best options:

• Victorian / Edwardian (1890–1910): Classical piano, parlor ballads. Search “Victorian parlour music” on Spotify.
• 1930s–1940s (war era, noir): Big band and swing. Glenn Miller-style arrangements work really well.
• 1950s: Doo-wop, early rock and roll instrumentals, lounge jazz.
• Modern / contemporary: Low-tempo film score instrumentals (Hans Zimmer’s quieter work, Nils Frahm) can create a thrilling atmosphere without locking you into any specific decade.

Avoid vocal tracks for any background music at murder mysteries. It’s very distracting for players.

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Our Other Free Templates

We’ve got a bunch of other free templates that’ll make planning your party a lot easier:

• Free 1920s speakeasy newspaper template – best for 1920s, 1930s and 1940s parties
• Free murder mystery party posters – there’s templates for every type of party
• Free murder mystery wine labels – customizable themed bottles that can be used for any party
• Free murder mystery award certificates – these work for literally any type of party you’re hosting

We’ve got you covered if you need more 1920s speakeasy decor ideas on a budget. And for more info on costumes, food, and running the game – check out our complete 1920s speakeasy murder mystery hosting guide.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the music really free to use?

Yes. The music was created by me and is free to use with no restrictions.

What if my internet is unreliable at the venue?

You can download a playlist to your phone using Spotify Premium’s offline mode, or use YouTube Premium’s offline download feature.

Can I use this music for a commercial event?

Yes, you can use this music for any free or commercial event you like. It would be nice to link to us in the description of your event, but it’s not required.

How long does the playlist run?

It is 55 minutes long.

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Ready to build the full atmosphere?

For more information and tips to make sure that your party runs perfectly, check out our guide to hosting a roaring twenties murder mystery.

And if you haven’t settled on a 1920s game yet, Jazz, Moonshine and Murder was designed by us to be the ultimate speakeasy experience. It has our new Print Mysteries Risk/Reward Points System that keeps every guest invested in every part of the game.