J*** Advice Please

If you don't have 'Kind of Blue' by Miles Davis, I should start with that one.

You already have some recordings by John Coltrane. If you don't already have it, I would suggest that add 'A Love Supreme' to your collection.

Oliver Nelson - The blues and the abstract truth, great record overall with some great tunes

Sonny Rollins - East Broadway run down, really sweet sax playing by rollings with strong interaction with bass and drums

Charles Mingus - Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus, nice one from the maestro

Johnny Hodges with the Billy Strayhorn and the orchestra, some really nice big-band with the steps of Duke himself

Gabor Szabo - Mizrab, fantastic album from a really talented jazz guitarist. A-side is really something special what comes to the atmosphere of the whole group playing

Thelonious Monk - Monk's Music is fantastic, and I would also suggest some Art Blakey and the Jazz Messangers, 'Moanin' is a great place to start.

For Charles Mingus 'Mingus Ah Um' is the one that go me into him.

I presume you the Cannonball Adderley you have heard is 'Somethin' Else'? if not, try that.

There are lots of Miles Davis albums to try, some easy to try, some that are near unlistenable on first try, but his music covered a wide spectrum of jazz. 'Kind of Blue' would definitely be the starting place a Doctor Jazz said, but I am sure there will be lots of recommendations, my favourite is 'In a Silent Way', at the start of his electric period.

One nice thing about discovering jazz is that there are many links as sidemen left and lead their own bands, so you may get to know one musicians style and follow them into other bands, and then discover new musicians from there.

quote:

Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
One nice thing about discovering jazz is that there are many links as sidemen left and lead their own bands, so you may get to know one musicians style and follow them into other bands, and then discover new musicians from there.

That's how I also discovered Johnny Hodges, started to listening Duke Ellingtons LP's and during the years discovered that really like the playing of that one artist a lot..

Timbo said "I particularly like the interaction of double bass and drums".

You've hit the nail on the head, Timbo. I can't think of a great jazz group or record without a phenomenal rhythm section (I'm thinking especially of the way Tony Williams set Miles Davis's group on fire, the same with Elvin Jones with John Coltrane, or Scott La Farro's subtlety with Bill Evans, Gary Peacock with Paul Bley). I could go on.

But here is a list of some of the most frequently played jazz records in our house; fortunately my wife loves jazz as well. I hope it's of some use to you.


paul desmond - take ten/easy living/with strings

bill evans - village vanguard/waltz for debby

miles davis - esp/nefertitti/kind of blue/silent way/plugged nickel/

john coltrane - africa brass/complete live at the village vanguard/love supreme

charles mingus - ah um/tijuana moods/town hall concert

ornette coleman - shape of jazz to come/change of the century/

jimmy giuffre - thesis/fusion

paul bley - closer/mr. joy

thelonious monk - brilliant corners/straight no chaser/monk's dream

dave brubeck - european tour/time further out/gone with the wind/anything with paul desmond

duke ellington - blues in orbit/far east suite

eric dolphy - out there/out to lunch

sun ra - jazz in silhouette

lee konitz - motion/abstractions

oliver nelson - blues and the abstract truth

albert ayler - spritual unity

charlie parker - dial sessions

gil evans - everything he did with miles davis

Thank you so much everyone, I am now armed with an excellent shopping list.

Cheers

Tim

lots of male performers. I'm not too keen on edgy jazz but that's just me. I started into jazz when I was feeling low and had a Verve Sampler of Ella's song books, every one spoke to me that Sunday afternoon. I got online and ordered three. Having a voice in front of the band is easier listening for me and Ella can swing.

Songs of Harold Arlen is my favorite

Then there's Joni, I had earlier records up to Heijira. One day at amoeba I looked into her section and decided to buy 5 of the later jazz albums. Joni is Joni, doing her own thing which I tend to like.

Etta James Mystery Lady, songs of Billy Holiday nice late night music with a whiskey in hand.

Nancy Wilson also is one talented lady. She has made atleast one good album with Cannonball Adderley..

I suggest at least sampling some earlier classic jazz, instead of devoting all your time to modern jazz. Maybe some Armstrong (there is a fantastic 4 CD collection of the Hot 5/7 recordings on JSP, or maybe his Plays C.W. Handy on Sony/Columbia),and Billie Holliday (Love Songs -remastered Sony- classic cuts, many with Lester Young), Coleman Hawkins (Body and Soul-a collection on RCA), Ellington (try Far East Suite on RCA). In my opinion Armstrong is the key jazz player. By the way, there is a wonderful biography of him recently released called Pops, by Terry Treachout

So many to choose......Also try The Modern Jazz Quartet,almost anything, but 'Fontessa' or 'Pyramid' are good places to start.

Oscar Peterson's 'We Get Requests' might also float your boat....and Serge Challoff's 'Blue Serge' is a fine record...and, and and..

Graeme

Two suggestions. For a double bass-head (me too!) who likes a slightly more modern feel - any number of things by Dave Holland. Live at Birdland is a favourite. And more generally, if you can listen to BBC Radio 3, Jez Nelson's Jazz on 3 is a great show for a mix of different styles with a slant towards the contemporary and perhaps some crossover stuff like EST or Polar Bear.

Happy listening!

Excellent - thank you.

Mudwolf, I've got practically everything that Joni has ever done, she is perfect for those late night/early morning sessions when the music just fills up your soul.

Yes I forgot to ask about female jazz performers, I have the Ray Brown Quartet with Ernestine Anderson and like that. Mika I will certainly try Nancy Wilson/Adderly. I never could get into Billie Holiday - I have only Lady Sings the Blues, so I'll go listen to a couple of others as well.

Oldnslow - I have some old jazz stuff, Dorsey Brothers, jonah Jones and Jack Teagarden but not too enthused with it. However as I get into more jazz I'm hoping to gain an appreciation of the music and may go back to the older stuff with a different perspective.

Graeme and Pigeon I will add these to my list and will have a listen to the Charlie Haden CD Munch, I have the Private collection 1 and 2 and like those.

Thanks again and this is the best thing about having Naim gear - it sits in the background and just keeps giving...

Cheers

Tim

It's always nice to know there is more stuff out there to explore. I love the cover of Wilson and Adderly, great photo

mudwolf, I hang my head in shame at forgetting Billie Holiday from my list! I especially like the Verve recordings - i.e. the latter part of her career. Never been a big fan of Ella or Cleo.

It's a shame women are not equally represented in general in Jazz, but that is a big, far reaching question far beyond the bounds of recommending some favourite records.

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:
It's always nice to know there is more stuff out there to explore. I love the cover of Wilson and Adderly, great photo

Yes, in the jazz especially you have always possibility to search some interesting and perhaps even greater sidepaths. This is something I appreciate in these type of discussions with musiclovers.

Just the other day loaned from a friend and listened one quite rare jazz LP "Abdullah Ibrahim with Carlos Ward - Live at Sweet Basil vol.1". On the other hand nothing special but still - really some wonderful performances to my ears just with that "something special" in it-> quick visit to ebay and..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZqkPnQ_41U