Getting into Jazz, Part 1

Classic Instrumental Jazz

I have always loved the sound of Jazz.  Even as I child, my first record that wasn’t “kid” music was “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller (the extra ‘n’ in his name makes him a jazz musician and not a basketball coach).  Yet it was much easier for me to listen to rock music.  That’s what was playing on the radio, that’s what my friends listened to, and so on.  It really wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I pursued gaining any real awareness of jazz beyond liking it when I heard it.

My sense is that many are just like I was—having an interest in Jazz but perhaps not knowing where to begin. It all began to change for me when I received a few Jazz mix CDs: Pure Jazz, Pure Jazz EncorePriceless Jazz Sampler to name a few. Starbucks also began issuing CDs, and the Gazebo Blend  But the most helpful thing for me was turning to the Jazz 100 website.  This site ranks the top 200 best jazz albums of all time. I decided to find every album in the top 20 list from this site, and then later expanded that to the top 50.  It was through this process I found out what like, what I don’t like, and I found favorite artists to explore beyond what shows up on this list. And, I knew that I was going to be getting good jazz. and CD was particularly helpful.

I quickly realized, however, that this list is generated on popular opinion of which Jazz CDs are “the best,” regardless of style or accessibility.  Many avant garde and free Jazz CDs appear high up on the list.  It's great music, but they are certainly more challenging, and not the best entryways into the world of Jazz music.  So what I want to do is put together a list that will help people enter the world of Jazz.  We will look at old Jazz and new, vocal Jazz and instrumental, always considering the more accessible material first, and then the more challenging.

The following classic Jazz CDs are all instrumental albums that are extremely accessible to newcomers to Jazz:

1.  Miles Davis, Kind of Blue (1959).  Considered by many to be the greatest Jazz recording of all time, this CD is simply indispensable in any Jazz collection.  It is my favorite album of all time.  Davis takes a minimalist approach here, but the results are simply brilliant.  I can think of no better CD with which to start a journey into the world of Jazz.

2.  Cannonball Adderly, Somethin’ Else (1958). On this CD, Cannonball Adderly plays with Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones and Art Blakey.  There is some debate as to how much influence Davis had on this album, but few deny the enduring quality of this CD.  And the simple beauty of the music is simply undeniable.

3.  Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus (1956).  One difference between this CD and the two that precede it is that the others are true ensemble efforts—each instrument takes its place in the lead as the music fits.  This CD, as the title indicates, is all about the saxophone.  It’s a well-crafted CD, filled with delightful and recognizable melodies.

4.  John Coltrane, Blue Train (1957).  Most people recognize Coltrane as one of the greatest Jazz musicians and composers.  Most don’t realize that much of his music, particularly his later music, can be very difficult listening.  My favorite Coltrane CD is A Love Supreme, but a better entry way into his music is Blue Train.  I’m told that Coltrane thought of this as his favorite. You may also try Giant Steps or My Favorite Things.

5.Dave Brubeck, Time Out (1959).  Of the CDs on this list, this may be the most unique, and still one of the most popular jazz albums ever released.  Dave Brubeck messed with the time signatures for all the songs on this album.  Most all Jazz is in standard 4/4 time, but little on this CD is in that time signature.

6. Bill Evans Trio, Waltz for Debby (1961).  Along with his Sunday at the Village Vanguard, this CD was truly revolutionary in the role the bass could play in a piano trio.  Yet every song is simple, beautiful and understated.

7. Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, Jazz Samba (1962).  Stan Getz has such a great sound on his sax that just about anything he does is great.  But, this is Getz at his finest.  As you may be able to tell from the title, Byrd and Getz combined American Jazz with Latin influences from Brazil to create a truly unique style that has been followed by many since.

8. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Moanin’ (1958).  This is drummer Art Blakey’s best effort, and the song “Moanin’” is immediately known by just about anyone.   However, the other songs on this album are just as worth of attention. Lee Morgan truly shines here on trumpet as well.

9.  Horace Silver, Song for My Father (1964).  “Song for My Father” and “Que Pasa” are well-known songs, but the rest of this album is just as brilliant, and I think to some extent this album is under appreciated.

10. Dexter Gordon, Go (1962).  The most recognizable songs here are probably “Cheese Cake” and “Three O’clock in the Morning,” but this whole album shines.