Light Beginner, box set ? Where to start?

[zeroculture]

Hey,

A question for yah; My parents have asked me to look into getting them a small jazz collection for christmas.

As far as i'm told they're looking for something light that they can have on in the background when they have company at home and what not.


So, i'm looking for some reccomendations on whee to start looking, it can be a pre-construccted box set taht is available right now, or if you have some album reccomendations that would be great as well.

I'm looking to you guys for help as i've kind of diverted away from the jazz scene over the past few years, and haven't got a clue where to start!


Anyways thanks very much ...

-Andy

[xricci]

Andy,

Have you tried the TIME-LIFE collections?

Try....

Jazz Masters
http://www.timelife.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=vU-N8JuPr3vjWqRY5SHN_L1BWCzykAID3Q4=?ProductSKU=14698&CategoryName=33

or...

Classic Jazz for the Open Road
http://www.timelife.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=vU-N8JuPr3vjWqRY5SHN_L1BWCzykAID3Q4=?ProductSKU=17403&CategoryName=33

They're both double discs.

[BitchesBrew]

I'm insanely biased towards Miles Davis (but who doesn't love the guy?), so I say get The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions. The music isn't too confusing, and the price is very reasonable. It is my first, and only boxset so far, but it really is great.

[gregk]

Originally posted by BitchesBrew
I'm insanely biased towards Miles Davis (but who doesn't love the guy?), so I say get The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions. The music isn't too confusing, and the price is very reasonable. It is my first, and only boxset so far, but it really is great.

In a Silent Way is hardly background music, and I'm sure Directions I and II will scare a lot of "non-jazz" folks away!!! Try the Ken Burns box

[GA Russell]

I would recommend piano trios, such as something by Ahmad Jamal on the Chess label, or Red Garland on the Prestige label.

Verve has a series called Jazz 'Round Midnight of many artists, and that would fit the bill very nicely.

Verve has another series called Quiet Now, which would also be good.

Both Jazz 'Round Midnight and Quiet Now are compilations, sort of " best of" discs.

For Miles Davis, I recommend Birth of the Cool.
For Stan Getz, Getz/Gilberto.
For Dave Brubeck, Time Out.
For Charlie Parker (a bit of a stretch), Parker With Strings.
And don't forget Henry Mancini's Music From Peter Gunn.

[lazy bird]

Awesome but accesible jazz:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000005GWQ.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000002AGM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Tenorman]

There is a 3CD set which I recommend to all persons who are looking for a starting point.

It covers Nat King Cole to John Coltrane, Ella to Art Blakey

It is called The Best Jazz Ever and was put out by Virgin in the UK around 1997 so may be difficult to get now. The title may put some people off, but a look through the tracks will convince most Jazz fans that it is a well put together collection of accessible Jazz.

The other companies involved in it are Circa Records Ltd who own the copyright and Box Music Ltd.

There are 2 numbers on it 7243 8 42059 2 8
and VTDCD 93.

I could PM you with the track list if you are interested, but this has to be one of the best, if not very best compilation for beginners I have ever seen. It gives you a compilation of artists, and allows you to choose the ones you want to hear more of, very cheaply