Jazz is a style that can weave its way into all genres of music.
It's about improvisation, attitude and emotion. Most people enjoy
jazz as background music but don't necessarily know of any specific
songs or jazz musicians. You will also notice that alot of albums
available are live, with many different "takes" - they best capture
the raw spirit and spontaneity of this music. Most of all, the
music is only as good as the collaboration between the members of
the band. There are so many subgenres within jazz that there is
something to appeal to every ear. Here's a list of essential jazz
albums to get you started into the big bad world of jazz! Happy
listening!
Charles
Mingus, "Mingus Ah Um" (1959)
Mingus, a bassist, is my favourite jazz musician and if there's one
word to encompass his style, it's sassy. This album is probably his
most accessible - that is, it's the easiest for most people to
listen to and enjoy. "Better Git It In Your Soul" and "Goodbye Pork
Pie Hat" are great tracks to begin with. Even though this album was
made in 1959, it still sounds extremely modern by today's
standards. If you enjoy this album, you can move on to: Cornell
1964, The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady, and Mingus
Plays Piano.
Joao
Gilberto, Stan Getz, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, "Getz/Gilberto"
(1963)
Saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Joao Gilberto make up a
phenomenal bossa nova pair. Bossa nova is a style evolved from
samba but is very soft, with minimal percussion. Gilberto's wife,
Astrud, had no professional experience but sang on several tracks.
The overall mood for this album is soft, soothing, but with a great
Latin rhythm. "The Girl from Ipanema" is one track I'm sure you've
heard before somewhere - definitely a Brazilian jazz classic.
Billie
Holiday, "Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday"
(2001)
This album was produced recently, but her work is actually from the
1930-40s. I think she has one of the best female jazz voices of all
time because you can feel the pain, mourning and slight bitterness
in her voice, but she still manages to sound so sweet and wistful.
The beats are a steady, consistent pace - not too fast, not too
slow. This album is great but any Billie album will do - she sings
many standards, but I think she sings the torch songs best. (Torch
songs are sentimental love songs where a singer, usually female,
laments an unrequited or lost love.) Her best songs are "The Man I
Love", "Strange Fruit" (not on this album) and "Body and Soul".
Oscar
Peterson Trio, "Night Train" (1962)
You gotta give it up for this Canadian jazz legend. Peterson, a
jazz pianist, passed away recently in December 2007. His piano
playing shines with his tight ensemble. He fiddles around with a
lot of notes, but you get a good sense of melody. Best tracks here
are "Night Train" and "Hymn to Freedom", his original composition
for the civil rights movement).
Thelonious
Monk, "Monk's Dream" (1963)
Monk's piano playing is one of the most revered because of unique
interpretations of songs. His best songs here are "Bright
Mississippi" and "Body and Soul". If you enjoy his playing, check
out his classic songs "Straight, No Chaser", "Epistrophy", "Round
Midnight" and "Blue Monk".
John
Coltrane, "A Love Supreme" (1964)
There are four parts to this album - Acknowledgement, Resolution,
Pursuance and Psalm. Each title reflects the overall mood of their
pieces and this saxophonist knows how to evoke ideas of
spirituality and freedom within the realm of jazz. This is a good
album to listen to if you're feeling lonely.
Duke
Ellington and Louis Armstrong, "The Great Summit: The Master Takes"
(1961)
Two jazz giants come together for this awesome session! Duke
Ellington was a popular composer of many jazz standards, as well as
being a pianist and bandleader. Here he plays with Armstrong, who
sings and plays the trumpet. You've probably heard many of
Ellington's compositions, such as This is a great introduction to
two of the most amazing jazz musicians of all time. Best tracks:
"Azalea" and "It Don't Mean A Thing (If You Ain't Got That
Swing"
Miles
Davis, "Kind of Blue" (1959)
Davis holds his notes on the trumpet unlike any other - this album
is light at times, and serious at times, on occasion funky but
always sophisticated. This is an all-star band, featuring greats
such as Coltrane, "Cannonball" Adderly, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers
and Jimmy Cobb. "Freddie Freeloader" is one cute track. If you
enjoy Miles, you'll want to also check out his albums "The Birth of
the Cool" and "Sketches in Spain".
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Got any favourite jazz albums, tracks or musicians to share?
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