Jazz newcomer

[udpolo15]

i have started listen to jazz a little on the radio but don't really have a crasp for any artist out there. is the a couple compilation cds that might be good for a newcomer?

also i head a song written about louis armstrong and would like to know the title and the artist. i am sure there are many but any thing would help

[bombastic]

"The Very Best Of Miles Davis And John Coltrane" on Columbia compact discs. You'll like this one. Excellent place to begin.

[shawn·m]

I think the following link will become my standard answer to this most reasonable of questions: Where to start? (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/newbie.htm)

[Tenorman]

The Compilation I always recommend goes under the corny and off-putting name of "The Best Jazz - Ever" it is on Virgin Records label in the UK. There are two numbers on it, so which one you will need I don't know
VTDCD 93 and 7243 8 42059 2 8

It is a 45 track 3CD set and starts with Nat, Ella Dinah et al and goes to Stanley Jordan, Mingus, Parker & Coltrane. If you are interested, I will PM you the track list

PS I forgot, there appears to be a 2 CD version of the same name, with far too many good tracks missing. Look for the 3cd one (may be OOP Mine was bought in 1997)

[jfidel]

I have a different idea for you to consider... sign up for an online music service similar to Rhapsody. (www.listen.com)

Then when someone suggests an album, instead of having to purchase it, you can listen to it through your computer.

A few pieces of hardware make the experience much more enjoyable: a good set of headphones for private listening from your computer and a hook-up from your computer to your stereo.

The music is not mp3, but CD quality.

Just a thought. I think you can get a 7 day free trial and see if you like it. You can burn CD's for .79 a track, but I would suggest you find the music you like and then purchase the CD.

This is a good way to get more familiar with many of the artists mentioned in these posts and to expand your journey of discovery without shelling out $$$$$.

Let me know what you think.

[GA Russell]

Interesting idea, jfidel!

I don't have an opinion on Rhapsody's financial outlook, but the idea of spending ten dollars a month to listen to anything you want sounds reasonable to me.

[jfidel]

I am sure this whole online music thing will continue to evolve. If Rhapsody fails (it is part of Real Networks), the most I would be out is one months payment. The one thing I forgot to mention is that you need a broadband connection for this to work properly.

Here is a list of some the recordings I will be listening to today:

Brian Blade Perceptual
YaYa3
Charlie Haden American Dreams
Nicholas Payton Sonic Trance
James Carter Garenias for Lady Day

[PDEE]

Originally posted by David Gitin
I wonder if the song written about Louis Armstrong was Lester Bowie's "For Louis" recorded on ECM?

David's response is the only one that tries to answer the Louis Armstrong question.

As far as I know there are few songs ( with words) about Pops. There are more, but really not that many, musical tributes to him that are "new" compositions and not re works of tunes he was associated with.

Perhaps if udpolo15 could descibe the piece in a bit more detail, we might have fun trying to " Name that Tune"

[PHILLYQ]

You can also listen to jazz radio stations on the web- WBGO in Newark is online, and I'm sure there are others as well.
If you know anyone that has any jazz CDs, etc. -borrow some of them if you can.
Another possible resource is the library- you can borrow for free and listen and then decide what you like.