It is hard to quantify one song or album as better than another. These 9 albums are considered some of the greatest ever recorded from the “modern” jazz music era of the 40’s – 70’s. These records will be in any jazz musician’s music library, or any serious jazz listener.
These albums paved the way all jazz musicians to come. Some of these albums are still considered avant-garde, and have set some serious boundaries that have yet to be surpassed by current jazz greats.
If you become intimately familiar with these albums, you will definitely hear at least a few of the same licks or melodic ideas at any jazz gig. When listening to these albums, try and think about how innovative they would sound coming out 50-70 years ago, and how incredible they are considering the degree of relevance they still hold today.
Kind of Blue – Miles DavisWhile it is one of the best selling jazz albums of all time (4X Platinum), many consider this to be THE best jazz album of all time. This may be because this unrehearsed recording session from 1959 marks a great turning point in jazz history as well as showcasing the top form of some legendary musicians.
Miles showed up to the Columbia recording studios with some rough melodies and chords jotted down and the band proceeded to track each song in a couple takes. That’s how Miles liked to do it, he made sure the music was spontaneous and in the moment.
This album also started a departure from bebop as the songs are simple melodies over very simple chord progressions leaving room for the deep improvisational exploration in the spur of the moment. What a treat it is to listen to time and time again.
A Love Supreme – John Coltrane
This album completely revolutionized the jazz scene in 1965 and even today its influence can be found in many musical styles. Instead of showcasing the complex and dense harmonic post-bebop language he had developed with Davis and Monk, Coltrane plays over simple chords freely with raw spiritual passion.
The four songs on this album convey emotions of anger, joy, sadness, ecstasy, tragedy and triumph. Many types artists such as writers or painters who use this album to inspire energy and passion from within themselves for their own personal art.
This album also marked a turning point in Coltrane’s playing as he ventured into performing music from it’s deepest, most spiritual roots rather from a technical perspective. Time Out – The Dave Brubeck Quartet Dave Brubeck created a masterpiece which became the first instrumental jazz album to sell over a million copies.
The single, “Take Five” was a number one hit on music charts which is outstanding for a jazz song, especially a song with 5/4 time signature. This album had a strong influence from Eastern European culture as Brubeck used many of their rhythms and time signatures. The complex rhythms he uses sound unique yet very natural and easy to listen to, probably the reason for it’s success.
Ellington At Newport – Duke Ellington
This historic concert was a triumphant moment for Ellington’s band… It was 1956 and many big bands were struggling due to the rise of bebop and modern small group format.
So at the 3rd annual Newport Jazz Festival, Ellington attempted to please the crowd with some new suites and arrangements, but the crowd was very sedated as usual. Then finally on a two-section song, Dimuendo and Crescendo in Blue, Duke had the two sections connect with a sax solo by Paul Gonzalves and allowed him to play the solo as long as he felt like playing.
He only usually took a couple choruses but this time Gonzalves took a 27 chorus solo that eventually had the crowd off its feet and dancing! This historical moment changed the face of jazz and also gave Ellington’s band some new success. Duke’s band continued in this popularity for 18 more years.
Jazz At Massey Hall – The Quintet
This album appears reissued under the name “The Greatest Concert Ever”. It is an all star lineup of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach; all who were prominent in the development of bebop about 15 years beforehand (1953) and thus were all seasoned veterans by the time of the concert.
This is the only recording of these five legends playing together and everyone plays brilliantly. In addition, the recording quality is very good for it’s time so it is a great album to really hear these masters perform at their best.
The Best of the Hot 5 & Hot 7 Recordings – Louis Armstrong No greatest jazz album list is complete without Louis Armstrong. Besides being a legendary entertainer and musician, he helped bring jazz out of it’s dixieland roots into a more contemporary sound.
This album is a compilation of some of his best recordings from his early years in the 1920’s as he set up the template for modern jazz era to come having musician taking turns soloing individually rather than the group jam style of dixieland. The musicians on these recordings are tight, joyous, and even a little silly at times. Louis Armstrong is jazz’s first superstar and this album showcases him at his best.
Blue Train – John Coltrane
Recorded in 1957, this album was Coltrane’s first album as a leader. It’s very interesting to hear how Coltrane was playing before he started heading to the freer, passionate playing that he later evolved to during the mid 60’s.
Did you know that only a few years earlier, Coltrane was considered just a mediocre player? He studied and performed so much that he has became an icon of musical discipline.
He was known to constantly practice after gigs late into the night while other band members partied. These songs and performances show his immense strength and power he had developed up to this point.
Getz/Gilberto – Stan Getz & João Gilberto
This album was very popular and even won the 1965 Grammy Award for Best Album. Additionally, it created a bossa nova craze in the United States as people embraced it’s lush chords and subtle, mellow style.
Stan Getz, Joao and Astrud Gilberto are extremely graceful and intimate as they float along through this wonderful material composed by the great Antonio Carlos Jobim. I think the best word to describe this album is relaxing.
Mingus Ah Um – Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus had a way of making his bands sound complex, original, and of course swing like crazy. In addition to the swinging tunes, there are some amazing ballads filled with colorful and inventive horn arrangements.
I personally love the song “Fables of Faubus”, a track dedicated to the infamous former governor of Arkansas who strongly opposed racial integration in schools in 1957. It is a great example of musicians using their art to make a powerful political statement.
Concert By the Sea – Erroll Garner
Errol Garner is a legendary pianist who has a wonderful recognizable style. It’s worth mentioning that he couldn’t read a note of written music and plays entirely by ear. This album is very interesting both harmonically and rhythmically. His left hand swings so hard in a way that was not typical of other pianists.
While his playing exudes joy he is also quite technically fluent and plays extravagant arrangements of many popular standards like Autumn Leaves and I’ll Remember April. Bitches Brew – Miles Davis This album was a triumph for Miles Davis later in his career in 1970. Two drummers, two bassists, three keyboardists consisting mostly of free spontaneous electric improvisation.
Also for the first time, the recording tape was sliced and diced a bit in the studio to make certain parts repeat and to add effects which was unheard of on a jazz record. Yet even with all that… or maybe because of all that… it is Miles’ second best selling album of all time behind Kind of Blue. When it was released, people were debating whether it was a great album or just experimental nonsense but today in hindsight it is easy to see that it is truly is a timeless masterpiece.
Saxophone Colossus – Sonny Rollins
This is one of Sonny Rollins best albums he ever recorded among the hundreds he has made over a long lifetime that still continues today. Recorded in 1956, every song is feels so sophisticated yet soulful and smooth.
It only has five songs but each one is a hit and Sonny’s playing never fails. Sonny plays complex bebop that is very accessible because he plays every note with conviction and has a great sense of melody. Top 25 Jazz Albums of All Time
Top 10 Influential Jazz Musicians – YouTube
Jazz: the original art form of the American south. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today were counting down our picks for the top 10 most influential jazz musicians. Be sure to check out http://www.WatchMojo.com/store for more info.
target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Via youtube.comTop 10 Influential Jazz Musicians
Top 10 New Orleans Jazz Clubs | NOLA.com
Whether you love New Orleans jazz or hate it, it is nearly essential you know about our town’s biggest contribution to world culture — if only to guide friends, relatives and the 9 million tourists that arrive here annually.
When someone seeks a hot trumpet or a parade drummer, they won’t settle for a Kiss cover band or a really great DJ. This is New Orleans, for goodness sake! It’s a jazz town, even if our greatest jazz musicians usually need to travel to make a living. Via nola.com
