Help!! i want some good jazz!!

[fernanthonies]

I really like Jazz music, but only certain kinds, mostly more modern stuff...the problem is, i dont know the names of any good jazz artists, and so i dont know how or where to find good Jazz music i like.

if anyone would be kind enough to give me some pointers on good artists or groups, i would really appreciate it. I did find a song by john coltrane that is really good, called "I could write a book", this is pretty close to the type of jazz i really like, and i also like medeski martin and wood, hope that helps.

thanks in advance

[bombastic]

sorry. i accidentally posted a new thread instead of a reply to your post. go to "John Coltranes Crescent" thread for my reply.

[bombastic]

this is a great modern jazz c.d. you might want to hear it before buying it, it could be a little modern, if you're more into ballads and quiet jazz. i think it's great though. everyone likes something different.

[omar zamora]

Well, 'modern' is still pretty broad, and I can't recall that particular Trane tune, but I'll still give it a shot.

William Parker - Painter's Spring
William Parker - O'Neal's Porch
DKV Trio - Live Wels/Chicago
Billy Bang - Vietnam: The Aftermath


These are modern jazz albums that lie somewhere between avant garde/free and advance post-bop. I think they're fairly accessible, and very strongly groove-based. I'm also limiting it to albums that are relatively easy to find in a brick & mortar.

[lazy bird]

If you dig John Coltrane, check this cd's:

John Coltrane / Blue train
John Coltrane / Giant steps
John Coltrane / My favourite things
John Coltrane / A love supreme
Miles Davis / Kind of blue

[John]

You might really like Chick Corea's acoustic albums. His music has a very modern while swinging sound.
You might like:
The Akoustic Band
Now He Sings Now He Sobs

I would suggest John Coltrane, who is my single favorite jazz artist, but he's already been recommended. You might also want to check try Michael Brecker's "Tales from the Hudson," a great album.

[jazzypaul]

Hmmm...Trane early on doing standards and Medeski Martin and Wood. That covers a hell of a lot of ground. Let's see what we can do...

One album that kind of forges the hard bop thing with the groove thing is Charlie Hunter's Ready Set Shango. Thursday the 12th ranks as one of my favorite original compositions of the last 25 years. Eddie Harris is another one to check out. No one to this day has improved upon Eddie's groove, Eddie's sound or Eddie's ideas. The Electrifyin' Eddie Harris is the one to get from him, if you can find it.

Start there.

[omar zamora]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
The Electrifyin' Eddie Harris is the one to get from him, if you can find it.

Don't forget Les McCann's "Swiss Movements", which is probably much more available - though I think I saw "The Electrifyin'.." somewhere. But I agree - Eddie's got soul in his playing. And few could play electric sax like he could (ie, without that cheeseball fusiony sound that others have)

[Coypu]

Check out Allan Holdsworth, he is probably one of the players who have taken improvisation furthest. His style is very original and he has top notch chops.

Allan Holdsworth - The devil takes the hindmost (http://galaxen.net/~coypu/musik/MX/Essentials/allan%20holdsworth%20-%2003%20devil%20take%20the%20hindmost.mp3)

If you ever feel like you need structure in a very technical enverionment of fusion and prog metal then check out Ron Jarzombek's Spastic Ink. That stuff is mindblowing he doesn't improvise alot though (no notes wasted as he puts it). But he is still an excellent improviser whenever he gets that urge so check it out www.spasticink.com

Ron Jarzombek - Spastic Ink - The mad data race (http://galaxen.net/~coypu/musik/MX/Essentials/spastic%20ink%20-%20the%20mad%20data%20race.mp3)

[jazzypaul]

The question "Hey, can you suggest some great jazz to me?" should not be answered with "hey check out this prog-metal album." It is a jazz thread.

[Coypu]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
The question "Hey, can you suggest some great jazz to me?" should not be answered with "hey check out this prog-metal album." It is a jazz thread.

It was only as a side note to holdsworth, I am a true beleiver that jazz/fusion/prog metal/death metal all go hand in hand.

[jazzypaul]

And I'm a firm believer that if we are to consider Cole Porter a jazz songwriter that we must also do the same for Lennon & McCartney. But I'm not foolish enough to mention that here. You not only owe it to yourself as a musician, but also to all of us who read your posts to actually know about some jazz before you come in here.

[Coypu]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
And I'm a firm believer that if we are to consider Cole Porter a jazz songwriter that we must also do the same for Lennon & McCartney. But I'm not foolish enough to mention that here. You not only owe it to yourself as a musician, but also to all of us who read your posts to actually know about some jazz before you come in here.

Spastic ink is partly fusion so stop complaining. It's not like I'm holding him at gun point or anything.

[jazzypaul]

1) You're not even supposed to be here right now.

2) The guy is a newbie to jazz. To turn around and tell him to listen to prog rock instead is a slap in the face to over 100 years of jazz tradition, as well as everyone on this board.

[Coypu]

The music that's on "Ink Compatible" will be a lot closer to "progressive metal" than the music on "Ink Complete". I think a few of the songs on the first CD could be labeled as "metal", but overall, it has too many other types of music going on. I don't mind when someone describes the CD as experimental metal, or fusion or whatever. Just so it's not in the same category with Eminem and Puff Daddy. - Ron Jarzombek

[jazzypaul]

But even he didn't explain it in terms of jazz. Once again, it's a jazz thread. Once again, you're not discussing jazz.

[Coypu]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
But even he didn't explain it in terms of jazz. Once again, it's a jazz thread. Once again, you're not discussing jazz.

the music is so broad that it falls under many genres, what would you call the song A wild hare?`His music is partly fusion, fusion is a part of jazz that should not even be separated (you even said so yourself). Give it up already and listen to the song, you might even like it.

[lazy bird]

Coypu,

Jazz is indeed very broad, but the artists you've recommended are minor figures in jazz history. I believe it's better to recommend some major figures like Miles or Coltrane. Even in fusion the artists you've recommended are minor figures in comparison to artists like Miles, Jaco Pastorius, Frank Zappa, Herbie Hancock, ...

[Coypu]

Originally posted by lazy bird
Coypu,

Jazz is indeed very broad, but the artists you've recommended are minor figures in jazz history. I believe it's better to recommend some major figures like Miles or Coltrane. Even in fusion the artists you've recommended are minor figures in comparison to artists like Miles, Jaco Pastorius, Frank Zappa, Herbie Hancock, ...

That's your job, I'll stick to the artists that are harder to find so he gets the best of 2 worlds. Sales and popularity have never been a good measurement for how good a artist are.

[lazy bird]

Coypu,

I agree that sales and popularity have never been a good measurement for how good an artist is. But I didn't claim that minor figures are not as good as major figures. I often go to concerts of more underground artists, but I thinks it's more important for a newbie to start bying cd's of major figures.

[3pointdeli]

start with miles davis. then get something buy one of miles' sidemen (john coltrane or herbie hancock for instance). then get something by one of coltrane's sidemen (mccoy tyner or eric dolphy for instance.) continue this process and you'll have a great collection that spans literally every sub-genre of jazz.


as for coypu, i can't figure out why you guys who don't want him around can't understand that if he says something and you ignore it, it's history. on the other hand, he's willing to continue a debate as long as you continue responding to his posts. considering this fact, let's take an honest, unpleasant look and see who is really to blame for the fact that so many threads have been dominated by bickering.

[Coypu]

Originally posted by lazy bird
Coypu,

I agree that sales and popularity have never been a good measurement for how good an artist is. But I didn't claim that minor figures are not as good as major figures. I often go to concerts of more underground artists, but I thinks it's more important for a newbie to start bying cd's of major figures.

Why not do both?

[Coypu]

Originally posted by 3pointdeli
as for coypu, i can't figure out why you guys who don't want him around can't understand that if he says something and you ignore it, it's history. on the other hand, he's willing to continue a debate as long as you continue responding to his posts. considering this fact, let's take an honest, unpleasant look and see who is really to blame for the fact that so many threads have been dominated by bickering.

They like to discuss with me, that is the simple fact.

[3pointdeli]

you're probably right. how else can you explain saying one thing but constantly doing the opposite.

[bombastic]

The best thing a Jazz Listener can do is use his or her own ears and keep an open mind.

[lazy bird]

Okay, maybe we could recommend him both. But for a newbie it's difficult to distinguish different idioms, major and minor figures, ... When it comes to contempory music, there are a different opinions about the importance of artists, but when we look back in jazz history every jazz fan will agree that f.i. Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane are some of the most important jazz artists. I think it's necessary to know these major figures to understand jazz and it's history.

[bombastic]

i agree that if you are beginning to listen to jazz you should start with guys like coltrane,davis and charlie parker and all the other great acoustic jazz musicians. they represent the cream of the crop in jazz along with all the countless other names in the musics history. if you are interested in the future of jazz, look to matthew shipp, david s. ware etc. not to marsalis.

[Saundra Hummer]

I lucked out, I really, truly did! My introduction to jazz as a teenager was live, and up close, in a small room that put you close enough to hear a whisper from the bandstand when the mikes weren't on.

Howard Rumsey and the Lighthouse All Stars. It was amazing to me to see them play, and hear the difference from them and the Whiting Band, Tommy Dorsey, and others that my parents listened to on the radio. This was in your face bold, and loud! I loved it!

Later on there would be other greats showing up to play and some would be regulars, like Frank Rosalino, Richie Kamuka, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Red Norvo, Zoot Simms, Sonny Rollins, Bill Perkins, Chico Hamilton, Stan Getz, Stan Levey, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and the great Charlie Parker. Of course there were others, but this just gives you an indication as to who introduced me to jazz in a live setting. Some ended up being my favorites, someone I tried not to miss when I knew they would be in town. Not always possible, but the times I did get to see these giants play was thrilling and now I know how amazing a time it really was. We will probably never see this type of establishment with such talent playing there on a regular basis, no cover charge, and no lines around the block to get in. Sometimes there would only be about 4 or 5 people there during week days, and on cold week day nights, it could almost be desolate, and that is when some of the most interesting things could happen, no telling who would drop by to sit in, or sing, which was illegal, as singing required a special license, and they didn't have one. Missed Anita O'Day, and was sick about it, but did get to see Chris Conner, and was she ever good.

I am living in the past too much, but I really do enjoy to this day the old greats from the time when I was a kid, All of the people who I have mentioned, and then there are lots more that I haven't, but to mention more of the people I have been lucky enough to see, there is Lester Young, Monk, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Bruebeck, Shorty Rogers, Art Blakey, and Stan Kenton, and the list can go on, and on. I will never be able to hear all of their music again, no matter how much I would like to hear it, as there probably isn't the time or the way financially to do it, as who could collect it all. This is why it is important to try to be selective in your choices, as sometimes a trendy new recording just doesn't have the bones to stand up to the weather, your tastes will change and in a garage sale it will go, or on a trash heap. Most of the music by these artists stands on its own. I can pull out the old recordings I still have, and even after losing where we had put it after a move, finding it eons later and listening to it was as if it is a new piece, I find I love it as much as I ever did, it's like running into an old friend, and going back over your memories together. Somethings just get better with time.


When you can find rereleases of any of these artists music, it is hard to go wrong. Not too many turkeys out there, a few, but not a lot, and during the late 50's the sound got much better. I really liked the Verve recordings back then, even though I have seen them come down on. At that time they were a huge improvement over other recordings.

I went into some of this before, but since so much has been lost, I just had to mention the West Coast Jazz Scene during the late 50's and early 60's. It was a blend of all the jazz greats in the states, and some great South American artists as well. There were a few Europeans making their contributions also. It was a coming together of the worlds jazz greats, and all in a very small nightclub setting, which makes it so very special. Often times they were coming together for the sheer joy of it, wanting to play with another artist they either knew, admired, or had heard of and wanted to see, and play with them to see what they could accomplish together, something new and fresh could happen and often did, it was wonderful. You know they weren't doing it all for the money, as they were just sitting in and doing it for their own personal reasons, not the bucks.

Of course this music is considered by many to be old hat, not the classics that they are, not something that should be a part of any serious collection of modern jazz. But widen your scope, dig around, give some of these people a listen and surely you will find something that you will always enjoy listening to. If you familiarize yourself with these great talents, then you will be able to tell who is a true talent in all of the new young blood out there.

I am sure that I got off the track as what it is that you are looking for, but wanted to share a little again about my favorite place people, and time.

[Saundra Hummer]

Wasn't Chris Conner, it was the beautiful June Christy, sorry about the slip, realized that it was a bad one.

[Mike Neely]

The best introduction to jazz that I know of is The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz. This is a five CD set with extensive notes by Martin Williams, one of the all-time best writers on jazz. This set takes a historical approach with selections from early jazz all the way to contemporary groups - from Jelly Roll Morton to the World Saxophone Quartet. The selections are superb and Williams writes about each track and the musicians involved, and also puts the music in context of the times. This original vinyl set has been re-mastered into CDs. The sound quality is excellent. In all the years I've been listening to jazz I've never come across a better introduction, and I doubt that I ever will. I have recommended this set to many friends and relatives and all have been very pleased. Enjoy!

[Saundra Hummer]

Originally posted by Mike Neely
The best introduction to jazz that I know of is The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz. This is a five CD set with extensive notes by Martin Williams, one of the all-time best writers on jazz. This set takes a historical approach with selections from early jazz all the way to contemporary groups - from Jelly Roll Morton to the World Saxophone Quartet. The selections are superb and Williams writes about each track and the musicians involved, and also puts the music in context of the times. This original vinyl set has been re-mastered into CDs. The sound quality is excellent. In all the years I've been listening to jazz I've never come across a better introduction, and I doubt that I ever will. I have recommended this set to many friends and relatives and all have been very pleased. Enjoy!

What is the cost on these? Are they still available, and can you buy each disk separatly? I would think so, as the cost would have to be out of sight if you had to buy them all at one time, or are there only a few disks, a representation of a style, not alot of representations?

Guess I could look it all up, but more fun to write to you.

[GiantSteps]

Hello Jazzypaul,
First of all , to listen to jazz you should begin with the old tunes....There's a lot of artists who can help u in this domain, I can tell you some of them:
Miles Davis (KIND OF BLUE/THE ESSENTIAL...)
Thelonious Monk (He's the best composer....U can check ROUND MIDNIGHT, EPISTROPHY,WELL YOU NEEDN't..)
Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers (MOANNIN'.....)
Sonny Rollins (DECISION,PRELUDE TO A KISS....)
Louis Armstrong
Dizzy Gillespie (A NIGHT IN TUNISIA...)
Charlie Parker
Bill Evans (especially with Miles Davis)
Wayne Shorter
Herbie Hancock (CANTALOUP ISLAND,WATERMELON MAN,MAIDEN VOYAGE,DRIFTIN,DOLPHIN DANCE.....)
And a lot of other artists...!
This tunes and albums listed below are a standards that everyone should know about....

For the modern jazz there's a lot of artisits like:
Keith Jarrett Trio (with Gary Peacock and Jack Dejohnette)
Jacky Terrasson
Stephon Harris
Jaco Pastorious
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Ahmad Jamal
And others....!

[Seba]

he apparently is looking for some modern swinging jazz. In that case I would suggest anything by Brad Mehldau and Keith Jarrett