Looking for recommendations...

[AHP]

Hi

I'm looking to expand my horizons in terms of Jazz by finding some new artists.

I really like Jazz that treads the middle-ground between abstraction and melodic niceness. I often find music that's too conventional in terms of tonality and melody a bit boring, but complete abstraction turns me off as well.

By way of example, I'd consider the first category to include people like Joshua Redman and Wynton Marsalis and the latter to include the likes of Braxton, Brotzmann and so on.

Examples of artists/band who I think tread this "middle path" would include Keith Jarrett's American Quartet, David Murray, The Bad Plus, Mingus and Coltrane (from the 60s onwards). I guess by a middle path I mean they make use of both conventionally melodic and abstract/atonal/free styles. I'm sure there are many more jazz artists in this vein that I have yet to discover, and equally sure this forum will be able to help!

[Vaughan]

So many..... but just a few.....



These are Tim Berne vehicles, with Marc Ducret and Tom Rainey. This is angular stuff, but with strong melodies.



I just bought a couple of CD's by Zooid, and to be honest they remind me strongly of Big Satan.



Gary Thomas is another sax player - and he's terrific. This is high-energy stuff.



Moran is a pianist, and you can trust anything he does. Some of his Bjork pieces are extraordinary. Again, he stretches out, but is rooted in strong melodies.

[AHP]

Thanks for the quick response!

I was aware that Henry Threadgill might be a possibility (I assume you mean him and not Hemphill); I always enjoy his solos with Murray's Octet but am slightly put-off by a lot of what's his from YouTube. I'll delve a little deeper.

I will check out Jason Moran, looks like just the sort of thing. Cheers!

[Vaughan]

Hm, I was just back from the gym when I typed that - I guess my brain was addled!

[niels]

There is so much of that kind of jazz (it's my favorite too), it's hard to begin. For me it started with the music of Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet (Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Anthony Williams & Ron Carter), so I recommend you to definitely check that out. furthermore from the old masters I would recommend the likes of Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Grachan Moncur III, Eric Dolphy and some specific Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean and Herbie Hancock.

For more modern recommendations I think the likes of Angels, Adam Lane's Full Throttle Orchestra, Vijay Iyer or Christian Scott would maybe also fit your taste (Jason Moran, who has already been mentioned is a great choice too).

Here are some examples of my recommendations:

Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=-wckZlb-KYY

Ornette Coleman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpva1_of3L0

Eric Dolphy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-n6KzsFwx8

Jackie McLean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8woYxaDjAM

Adam Lane's Full Throttle Orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THYVQ4A2DVA

Angels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuvmTX_-Z68

Christian Scott
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riAuj1-S9H8

Vijay Iyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVtru06ASSs

[AHP]

Eric Dolphy is a great suggestion, I love his music - just didn't occur to me to list him as an example. Ditto Ornette of course!

I've got several records by Miles' second quintet, I like them too, though I generally prefer his first quintet and Electric period. I was thinking of more "free" playing than theirs really, more akin to David Murray or Ornette Coleman's stuff; also I love Keith Jarrett's American Quartet (and indeed, pretty much everything by the great man).

I'll check out your other suggestions, thanks again.

NB for the record I'm not "New to Jazz", someone's moved this thread here...

[niels]

I see I forgot to mention one of my favorites, but maybe you're familiar with him also: Andrew Hill!

The guy made some stunning albums for Bluenote. Especially Point of Departure is a work of genius (same band as for Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch, but I prefer this one).

[AHP]

Yep, I've got Point of Departure - are his other albums in a similar vein?

[escher]

Originally Posted by AHP

Yep, I've got Point of Departure - are his other albums in a similar vein?

yes, look for Andrew and Judgment in particular. Andrew is a bit more "free", two amazing albums anyway (i prefer both to Point of departure). Then there's Compulsion, that's even more bordering on free but still with solid structure. A lot of many good recommendations anyway here. On the topic, there was a topic on this argument called "in & out" or something like this.

Other albums i would suggest:
Max Roach & Legendary Hasaan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GINzsY2v00o

Steve Lacy - The straight horn of Steve Lacy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3DNgOM4m4s

Cecil Taylor - Jazz advance (when he wasn't still abstract like in the later albums)

Sam Rivers - a lot of stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPTjuzhzycI

Prince Lasha - The cry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejYBQfdEXf4

Sun Ra - the Nubians of Plutonia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLtWejqFC8w

Walt Dickerson - To my queen or the first album (especially if you like musicians like Bobby Hutcherson or Grachan Moncur)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J8sMq1ath4

Woody Shaw - Iron men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7wAvjjK1p0

Brian Barley trio
http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=brian+barley+

Max Roach - We insist and Percussion bitter sweet

the albums of the Herbie Nichols project, etc

[AHP]

Thank you!

[AHP]

I've been checking out Don Pullen, he's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Totally awesome!