Jazz CD's for Newcomers

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JAZZ FOR NEWCOMERS is the indispensible guide for anyone who's ever thought about buying a first few jazz CD's for the iPod rotation, but didn't know where to start.

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The 20 Jazz CD's Newcomers Must Own 

Here's the first 20 Newcomers Should Buy

 

JAZZ FOR NEWCOMERS has selected the first 20 jazz CD's a Newcomer should buy.  We've sifted through 100 years of jazz and boiled it all down to what you need.  Every one of these is 100% guaranteed listenable--no strange stuff here. Just click through the titles below and get started at Amazon.com!

 

April in Paris

April in Paris

Release Date: 06/24/1997

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1. Count Basie: "April in Paris" 

When you're first getting started, you've got to buy the two Count Basie albums listed here. This one features some of his most famous songs--VERY listenable. 1955 on the Verve label.
Basie's article at Britannica.com
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The Complete Atomic Basie

The Complete Atomic Basie

Release Date: 05/31/1994

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2. Count Basie "The Atomic Album" 

My personal #1 favorite jazz LP of all. A great swinging session recorded in the 50's by Basie's second generation big band. "Flight of the Foo Birds" will swing you into bad health! 1957 on the Roulette label.

 

You Get More Bounce with Curtis Counce

You Get More Bounce with Curtis Counce

Release Date: 07/01/1991

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3. Curtis Counce: "You'll Get More Bounce" 

A swinging west coast style big band led by bassist Curtis Counce. Also late 50's, on the Contemporary label.

 

Cookin'

Cookin'

Release Date: 02/06/2007

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4. Miles Davis: "Cookin'" 

Before Miles could switch record labels and move to Columbia, he owed the folks at Prestige four more albums to fulfill his contract...so he cranked them all out in two days! This is my favorite, and a great place to start your jazz CD purchases. Features the great John Coltrane early in his career.
Miles' article at Britannica.com
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Getz/Gilberto

Getz/Gilberto

Release Date: 05/20/1997

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5. Stan Getz: "The Bossa Nova Years" 

Stan Getz is a terrific tenor sax player and VERY easy to listen to. Enjoy this Brazilian set featuring the original "The Girl from Ipenema." 1962-64 on Verve.

 

Ben Webster Meets Bill Coleman

Ben Webster Meets Bill Coleman

Release Date: 07/01/1990

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6. Ben Webster: "Meets Bill Coleman" 

Imagine a small club on a cold night listening to some great jazz. Tenor man Ben Webster's rough edged sound is paired with the round trumpet of Bill Coleman, who lived in Europe for many years. Together they play a great set of standards. 1967 on the Black Lion label.

 

The Sidewinder

The Sidewinder

Release Date: 10/25/1990

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7. Lee Morgan: "The Sidewinder" 

A big hit for trumpeter Lee Morgan. You'll quickly hear why: it really grooves with likable melodies. A perfect first purchase! 1963 on Blue Note.

 

Jazz Ultimate/Coast Concert

Jazz Ultimate/Coast Concert

Release Date: 03/13/2001

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8. Jack Teagarden: "Coast Concert / Ultimate" 

You should have a "traditional jazz" album among your first purchases. That refers to New Orleans, Louis Armstrong style jazz. This one is a double album CD with Jack Teagarden, jazz' first great trombonist teamed with the big round trumpet of Bobby Hackett. Hold that tiger! Collector's Choice label re-issued in 2001.

 

Lester Young with Oscar Peterson Trio

Lester Young with Oscar Peterson Trio

Release Date: 06/24/1997

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9. Lester Young: "With the Oscar Peterson Trio" 

Lester Young has a beautiful soft jazz tenor sound--he was a true original. This lovely album features him with piano great Oscar Peterson (who by the way just only recently passed away). 1952 on Polygram.

 

Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Release Date: 10/25/1990

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10. Bill Evans: "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" 

Bill Evans was a terrific piano stylist. Here he plays a moody set perfect for a reflective rainy day. Mellow. 1961 on the Riverside label.

 

Blues Walk

Blues Walk

Release Date: 10/25/1990

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11. Lou Donaldson: "Blues Walk" 

Donaldson is 80 and still going strong. At the height of his powers here blowing a bluesy alto sax. Also listen for Ray Barretto on congas. Blue Note, 1958

 

Last Concert

Last Concert

Release Date: 12/13/2005

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12. Modern Jazz Quartet: "The Last Concert" 

The MJQ began playing together in 1952 and stayed together until this 1974 farewell issued as a double disc on Atlantic. You'll immediately like the vibraphone led sound and the structure might remind you of J.S. Bach.

 

Go!

Go!

Release Date: 10/25/1990

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13. Dexter Gordon: "Go!" 

Dexter Gordon is my favorite tenor sax player. You might know him as the star of Clint Eastwood's jazz film "Round Midnight." Here you'll enjoy his big sound and accessible blowing. On Blue Note, 1962.

 

Everybody Knows

Everybody Knows

Release Date: 07/07/1992

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14. Johnny Hodges: "Everybody Knows" 

By this point in the list you are probably asking where's Duke Ellington? Well, right here: Johnny Hodges was the Duke's lead alto sax from 1928 to his death in 1970 (including a period where he left to lead his own band.) This CD features a dozen Ellington's players and will give you a great idea of the more accessible side of the Duke. 1965, Impulse.

 

Ambassador Satch

Ambassador Satch

Release Date: 06/27/2000

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15. Louis Armstrong: "Ambassador Satch" 

One of your first purchases has to include Louis Armstrong. You probably know his pop hits "Wonderful World", "Hello Dolly" and "Mack the Knife"; serious critics would recommend his "Hot 5s & 7s"; but here we choose a CD from two live dates in Europe 1956 where he and his small group were touring on behalf of the State Dept (thus the title). You can't help but smile as the group romps through 13 traditional favorites. Huzzah! Re-issued on Sony.
Louis' article at Britannica.com
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Meet the Jazztet

Meet the Jazztet

Release Date: 07/01/1991

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16. Art Farmer: "Meet the Jazztet" 

A classic in the so-called "hard bop" style. You will probably recognize at least two of the tunes: Blues March and Killer Joe. Trumpeter Art Farmer leads an all-star line-up for a great blended ensemble sound. 1960 on the classic Chess label.

 

Heavy Juice

Heavy Juice

Release Date: 07/13/2004

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17. Scott Hamilton / Harry Allen: "Heavy Juice" 

So you thought that all great jazz albums were recorded in the 50's? Most were, but there's still many great players carrying on and building the tradition today. Two of them are tenor sax players Harry Allen and Scott Hamilton. This is a fun session from 2004 with great harmonies and solo battles between the two tenor titans.

 

Feelin' It

Feelin' It

Release Date: 05/01/2001

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18. Jimmy McGriff: "Feelin' It" 

Another new era album recorded in 2001, led by Jimmy McGriff a master of the "soul-funk-preacher" organ. He really groves as he has for the past 40 years. The tenor man is David "Fathead" Newman, who for many years toured with Ray Charles. The tune "Hard Times" is seven minutes of pure enjoyement for the newcomer and jazz-oldster alike!

 

Jawbreakers

Jawbreakers

Release Date: 07/01/1991

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19. Sweets Edison / Lockjaw Davis: "Jawbreakers" 

Perhaps the most classic jazz small group sound comes from the tenor sax + trumpet front line. Sweets Edison played trumpet for Count Basie from 1938-50; Davis is one of the most "combative" tenor players, often known for his solo duels with other greats. Here the two make a great combination. 1962 on OJC.

 

B.G. in Hi-Fi

B.G. in Hi-Fi

Release Date: 09/20/1989

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20. Benny Goodman: "B.G. in Hi-Fi" 

No list of jazz for newcomers would be complete without a selection from the great clarinetist Benny Goodman. A harsh guy to work for (his musicians disliked him) but no denying he was the "King of Swing." Many will tell you to get the Great Carnegie Hall Concert, but I'd start with this one for it's superior sound quality and easy accessibility. Recorded in 1954.

SO WHAT DID YOU THINK OF MY RECO'S? 

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  • Reply
    Peter Drummond Peter Drummond Aug 1, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
    Good list
    Could add some Chet Baker, Billie H, Monk, Weather Report/Jaco, Wes, Ornette, Mingus, Pat Metheny, and of course - Kind of Blue.
  • Reply
    EDDIE ROTHBERG EDDIE ROTHBERG Jul 30, 2009 @ 5:48 am
    YOU DID OK ON PICKING THE TOP 20.IT'S REALLY A TOUGH THING TO DO
    WITH EVERYONE HAVING THEIR OWN OPINION..I WAS WITH RIVERSIDE WHEN
    BILL EVANS RECORDED LIVE AND WAS A PAL OF THE LATE GREAT "LOCKJAW" DAVIS....OH HOW THE GREATS ARE MISSED, BUT THANKS TO YOU, THEY LIVE ON
    WITH THEIR GREAT MUSIC..
  • Reply
    brooklolly brooklolly Apr 2, 2009 @ 2:42 am
    John Coltrane should be here too. Great site.
  • Reply
    Groovecity9 Groovecity9 Feb 7, 2009 @ 10:16 am
    Jim this is a great site. It will take me some time to taste the home cookin' but it sure smells good. I produced a video at the Marina 300 room in the 70's now The House of Blues with a cast of all - star chicago musicians.

    In one group it was Von Freeman (Tenor saxophone) John Watson (trombone) Bobby Broom (guitar) John Whitfield (upright bass), Jodie Christian ( piano) and Frankie Donadlson (drums)
    Jo Bell (vocalist)

    In the second group it was Bobby Lewis ( trumpet) Duke Paynes (Tenor saxophone and bagpipes)
    Jeanette Jefferson (Alto saxophone) Ken Chaney (piano) John Whitfield (upright bass) Phil Grateau (drums)
  • Reply
    Groovecity9 Groovecity9 Feb 7, 2009 @ 10:16 am
    Jim this is a great site. It will take me some time to taste the home cookin' but it sure smells good. I produced a video at the Marina 300 room in the 70's now The House of Blues with a cast of all - star chicago musicians.

    In one group it was Von Freeman (Tenor saxophone) John Watson (trombone) Bobby Broom (guitar) John Whitfield (upright bass), Jodie Christian ( piano) and Frankie Donadlson (drums)
    Jo Bell (vocalist)

    In the second group it was Bobby Lewis ( trumpet) Duke Paynes (Tenor saxophone and bagpipes)
    Jeanette Jefferson (Alto saxophone) Ken Chaney (piano) John Whitfield (upright bass) Phil Grateau (drums)
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Wynton Marsalis explains Jazz for Newcomers in my interview with him and Geoffrey Ward, co-authors of "Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life."

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