Best way of listening to Jazz?

[oaxaca]

I'm also based in Coventry and have been listening to jazz on and off for about 7 years now. I felt compelled to join the forums and comment on this thread because when I first got into jazz, CHARLES MINGUS, who's name hasn't yet been mentioned on this thread, really did it for me and enabled me to get my foot in the jazz door, so to speak (as did the inimitable John Coltrane; Miles though I haven't got into... yet). Mingus' album MINGUS AH UM was and still is one of the best jazz albums I've ever heard so I would definitely recommend giving that one a listen MrAdam83. With Mingus however I'm never really sure what style of jazz I'm listening to; I guess it falls as bop/hard bop, but much of his stuff (at least the stuff I've listened to) is heavily gospel and blues influenced and I think he tends to work with quite larger-than-usual bands too. His BLUES & ROOTS album is another stunner.

I've recently been listening to a lot of hard bop, mainly on Blue Note 4000 & 1500 series' LP reissues. Coincidentally, I bought Joe Henderson's MODE FOR JOE just yesterday, the first album of Henderson's I've owned but I've yet to listen to it Jeffrey I mainly find myself listening to LEE MORGAN, DONALD BYRD and WAYNE SHORTER Blue Note LPs these days... I never get tired of them.

And thanks also to WestUpperZombie for the Jazz Breakfast blog link, I think that will come in really useful

[HutchFan]

Originally Posted by mradam83

But I'm wondering if the way I'm listening to Jazz is a good way. Basically, I've picked Miles Davis' music as that seems to be great and easy to relax to. I'm then listening to only Miles' tracks and with that, by album/sessions (For example at the moment I'm listening to "The complete on the corner sessions" and previously I was on bitches brew) so I can get a good feel and not just rely on "Kind of blue" as my intro.

Is this a good way to start at all?

Adam,

Welcome to the board. Sounds like you're off to a flying start! It's exciting that there's SO MUCH wonderful music in front of you.

From my point of view, there is no "wrong" way to dig into this music. So you can't go wrong -- as long as you're enjoying the ride.

Miles' music is the "gateway to jazz" for many of us (including me ). But I would suggest that you just continue following your ears. You've already hit on some FANTASTIC stuff -- and one recording will lead to the next. Wherever you end up is "right" -- as long as you're digging it!

[Alypius]

Originally Posted by oaxaca

I'm also based in Coventry and have been listening to jazz on and off for about 7 years now. I felt compelled to join the forums and comment on this thread because when I first got into jazz, CHARLES MINGUS, who's name hasn't yet been mentioned on this thread, really did it for me and enabled me to get my foot in the jazz door, so to speak (as did the inimitable John Coltrane; Miles though I haven't got into... yet). Mingus' album MINGUS AH UM was and still is one of the best jazz albums I've ever heard so I would definitely recommend giving that one a listen MrAdam83. With Mingus however I'm never really sure what style of jazz I'm listening to; I guess it falls as bop, perhaps not hard bop, but much of his stuff (at least the stuff I've listened to) is heavily gospel and blues influenced too and I think he tends to work with quite large bands too. His BLUES & ROOTS album is another stunner.

I've recently been listening to a lot of hard bop, mainly on Blue Note 4000 & 1500 series' LP reissues. Coincidentally, I bought Joe Henderson's MODE FOR JOE just yesterday, the first album of Henderson's I've owned but I've yet to listen to it Jeffrey I mainly find myself listening to LEE MORGAN, DONALD BYRD and WAYNE SHORTER Blue Note LPs these days... I never get tired of them.

And thanks also to WestUpperZombie for the Jazz Breakfast blog link, I think that will come in really useful

Oaxaca, Welcome to the board. Charles Mingus is one of my favorites as well, and Mingus A Um and Blues & Roots are albums on my regular rotation. I don't know if you've explored another thread under this "New to Jazz?" heading: "Playlists for Newcomers."
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?t=43449
I've been meaning to create an introductory playlist for Mingus. If you look at the thread, you'll see that I try to create playlists that run no more than 80 minutes (= CD length) and I have a growing number of musician playlists (also instruments and periods and "best of year" playlists). I also try to draw from a wide variety of records (i.e. one, maybe two tracks, per album). In any case, if you have any suggested tracks for a Mingus playlist, please post it.

[Music997]

Miles Davis is great to start listening to.

You should listen to the old as well as the new stuff.

It will help you realize all of the transformations jazz has gone through.

[JoPalma]

Originally Posted by oaxaca

I'm also based in Coventry and have been listening to jazz on and off for about 7 years now. I felt compelled to join the forums and comment on this thread because when I first got into jazz, CHARLES MINGUS, who's name hasn't yet been mentioned on this thread, really did it for me and enabled me to get my foot in the jazz door, so to speak (as did the inimitable John Coltrane; Miles though I haven't got into... yet). Mingus' album MINGUS AH UM was and still is one of the best jazz albums I've ever heard so I would definitely recommend giving that one a listen MrAdam83. With Mingus however I'm never really sure what style of jazz I'm listening to

Hey guys! I am new to jazz as well, been listening more attentively for about 3 years and, like oaxaca, Mingus did it for me, but with Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus. Do you know any similar artists? is there anyone you think i should listen to next? or is it more or less indifferent? thank you!

[Alypius]

Originally Posted by JoPalma

Hey guys! I am new to jazz as well, been listening more attentively for about 3 years and, like oaxaca, Mingus did it for me, but with Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus. Do you know any similar artists? is there anyone you think i should listen to next? or is it more or less indifferent? thank you!

Jo, If you enjoy Mingus, try Dave Holland. Like Mingus, Holland is a virtuoso bass player. And like Mingus, he is especially skilled in writing horn arrangement--knowing just how to balance interplay and space for improvisation. Holland has been a band leader for nearly 4 decades, but his best work (in my view) was in the period between 1998 and 2003. Check out Point of View (1998), Prime Directive (1999), Not for Nothin' (2001), and Extended Play: Live at Birdland (2003)--all recorded with his dazzling quintet: Chris Potter on sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Steve Nelson on vibes, Billy Kilson on drums, and of course Holland on bass. It's an unusual combination. Note: no piano. Also no trumpet. The duets between Potter and Eubanks are a wonder. Also check out his big band release from this same period: What Goes Around (ECM, 2002). The sound--and the spirit--will remind you of Mingus. All the best.

[1/2 Baked, Not Fried]

Originally Posted by JoPalma

Hey guys! I am new to jazz as well, been listening more attentively for about 3 years and, like oaxaca, Mingus did it for me, but with Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus. Do you know any similar artists? is there anyone you think i should listen to next? or is it more or less indifferent? thank you!

Check out George Russell. A lot in common with Mingus, I think.

Best,

[WestUpperZombie]

Originally Posted by Alypius

Jo, If you enjoy Mingus, try Dave Holland. Like Mingus, Holland is a virtuoso bass player. And like Mingus, he is especially skilled in writing horn arrangement--knowing just how to balance interplay and space for improvisation. Holland has been a band leader for nearly 4 decades, but his best work (in my view) was in the period between 1998 and 2003. Check out Point of View (1998), Prime Directive (1999), Not for Nothin' (2001), and Extended Play: Live at Birdland (2003)--all recorded with his dazzling quintet: Chris Potter on sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Steve Nelson on vibes, Billy Kilson on drums, and of course Holland on bass. It's an unusual combination. Note: no piano. Also no trumpet. The duets between Potter and Eubanks are a wonder. Also check out his big band release from this same period: What Goes Around (ECM, 2002). The sound--and the spirit--will remind you of Mingus. All the best.

Couldn't agree more. I find Dave Holland's albums to be probably the most satisfying of all the contemporary (living) musicians. Extended Play is marvellous as the quintet has a chance to stretch out, and it doesn't waste a note!

[HutchFan]

Another "If you like Mingus, you might like..." recommendation: David Murray's octet recordings from the 1980s on Black Saint. My favorites are Ming and New Life. But they're all really, really good.

They were also reissued in a box set last year:


The set includes:
- Ming
- Home
- Murray's Steps
- New Life
- Hope Scope

These have a careening, rowdy, rough-around-the-edges feel -- very much like Mingus' music.

[JoPalma]

you are great guys, thank you so much!