What's the best way to introduce a newbie to jazz?

[xricci]

Be sure to read AAJ's archived discussion topic: "What's the best way to introduce a newbie to jazz?" at http://www.allaboutjazz.com/threads/intro.htm.

[GA Russell]

I find the most-easy-to-listen-to type done by the great artists is bossa nova.

My second choice would be '50s west coast jazz, such as the Mulligan Quartet with Baker or even the Peter Gunn soundtrack.

I would also recommend singers such as early Mark Murphy, '60s Mose Allison and Laurel Masse (haven't heard from her in a long time).

[estonian]

I think that the best form of jazz which suits for a newbie is a bright latin music for example one performed by Arturo Sandoval.

[Coypu]

Since I'm more of a fusion guy I can only tell you what I do to get people into fusion but I often play them Rivers Dancing by Gordian Knot, if they aren't convinced after that I kill the last doubt with Spastic Ink - To Counter & groove in e minor. I have converted quite a bunch of people at the mx forum so it seems to be working.

[Jazzinitup]

The best way IMHO to interest people in jazz is make em listen to some pieces with a good swing ... I found "doodletown fifers " a good example of this (to mention a not to "classical piece) ... I basicly really got hooked to jazz by first learning the history and then very slowly got interested into it by going back to the roots (hip-hop / rap ==> jazz) ... Then the improvisation hit me ;-)And I was sold .


Jazzinitup

"What we play is life."
-- Louis Armstrong

[iBastage]

If you're a guitar player, or just like great grooves here are 3 Artists that make moving to Jazz very easy.

Django Reinhardt - With Stephane Grapelli by his side, you can't help but love it.

Zachery Breaux - Great grooves, and master licks.

Chuck Loeb - What can I say, just an amazing guy. Great composer, performer, excellent style.

Being a guitar player, I tend to gravitate towards guitar oriented artists, but that's not to say you can't learn something from the rest of the players in the groups. Chuck Loeb can attract anyone since he composes mostly and doesn't let the guitar dictate his pieces.

[cwthurman]

I think there probally isn't a single approach to introducing someone to jazz. Considering they have the interest to ask, I would want to know what they've been listening to, their favorite artist, instrument & type of music. Starting where they have been.
I would suggest some of "types" of jazz such as bebop, west coast, fusion & "smooth jazz" (which causes some purist to turn up their noses...). The truth is, smooth jazz may be an easier way for some to grow into the classical stuff. Can you imagine somone who has little jazz listening experience sitting in on an Archie Shepp or John Coltrane unstructored piece? Might be the last time they try it.
I think an educational approach might include some Freddie Hubbard, Miles (of course) Davis; Duke Ellington & Bill Evans; Dave Bruebeck & Eric Dlphy's quintet. That maybe a lot old school stuff that should include Thelonius also but there is just an awful lot of talent and outstanding music available. For the people who are "interesting," I like to play Miles' "Bitches Brew." I can't hear it enough but there are some that can't stand it. I play it anyway.
As far as the Smooth Jazz is concerned, there's a load of it under Grover, Sanborn, Koz, Fatburger .....
Wow! Didn't mean to get so carried away but as is often said, It's all good!
later :rolleyes:

[jazzcook]

For an introduction, I would have the person buy 5 cd's that would give them a good cross section of true jazz flavor. Those cd's are; Miles Davis-Kind of Blue/ John Coltrane-A Love Supreme/ Erroll Garner-Concert By The Sea/ The Quintet-Live at Massey Hall/ Duke Ellington-Live at Newport, 1956. With these 5 recordings they would feel swing (with Duke), hard bop(with Miles), improvisation(with Trane), the REAL quiet storm and quite possibly the most romantic music ever(with Erroll Garner) and last but not least, true democracy, a well oiled machine, an extremely tightgroup of talented musicians(The Quintet). :cool:

[3pointdeli]

take them to a jazz concert that features a RAGING drummer.

[markvi]

it depends on the person's background. a fan of classical music may not be too impressed with a raging drummer, but a rock fan may enjoy it a lot. take the person's interests at the moment and loan him some cd's that may have common instruments and harmonies-sort of building a bridge between his present interests and jazz. getting someone to buy 5 or 6 cd's is ok if they have the money, but a youngster may not be able to make that kind of investment. many libraries have cd collections for loan and some are really full of jazz.

[3pointdeli]

why would fans of classical music not like a raging drummer? classical is not always mellow and quiet. it incorporates extreme variations in dynamics...just like the best jazz does. i've never met anyone who cares about music that doesn't like to see or hear a great (raging) drummer.

of course there is not one method that will work for everyone.

so you have a friend who likes classical that you want to turn on to jazz? loan him sketches of spain, or any of the gil evans/miles davis collaborations. or some modern jazz quartet.

[markvi]

i agree-raging drummers are fun and a big part of jazz and classical listeners certainly may enjoy it. and i think sketches of spain is an excellent suggestions. . the miles version of porgy and bess or the mjq version of porgy and bess or sideshows "music of charles ives" or charlie parker with strings or miles ahead or coltrane's africa brass. i think these are excellent choices for anyone, but particularly good for building the bridge from classical to jazz. of course, the desire to learn about jazz is paramount in introducing one to jazz. perhaps some explanation before listening is more important than selections chosen. a little bit of jazz ed. might go a long way. besides, what's not to like?

[3pointdeli]

another way to get people excited about jazz might be to loan them (if you have some to loan) or encourage them to check out from the library some of the many books of jazz photography. there are a bunch of really, really good ones out there (but i can't remember the names of any of them since i never spend much time looking at the cover.) by doing this, the "newbie" will get to see the amount of energy and passion that jazz musicians put into their music (plus they get to see all those sharp suits and beautiful vintage instruments.) this could be a good supplement to what is most imoprtant: listening. besides, everyone likes looking at photos, right?

[jazzypaul]

Of course the easiest and best way to get someone into jazz is to find out not only what they like, but also WHY they like it. Someone that's down with hip hop might get into Eddie Harris' late 60's material which is as funky as can be. Somone who likes punk because it's angry music might do well with Mingus' political work. Someone who is into jam band music would probably do well with live Miles fusion stuff, or good ol' fashioned organ trios. Singer Songwriters and those folksy types might be inclined to hear Bill Frisell, Brian Blade Fellowship or (gasp!) Norah Jones. No matter what, Jazz is so large that it doesn't matter what kind of music someone listens to, there's something that they can use as an in. But remember this: If someone is into, say, Blink 182, and the first jazz they hear is Kind of Blue, they will forever link jazz with elevators. Kind of Blue is one of the greatest jazz albums of all time, to be sure, but it's great because we KNOW why it's great. A newbie isn't going to know that. So give them the lowest common denominator, and let them grow from there...