Hey Todd,

I'm curious what you think are the essential jazz recordings. If I could only buy three or four CDs to learn about jazz which ones would you recommend?

Hey Todd,

I'm curious what you think are the essential jazz recordings. If I could only buy three or four CDs to learn about jazz which ones would you recommend?

Great question....There's a LONG list of things we should all be listening to. It's hard to limit it to 4... But, here are 4 to get you "started".....

1. Kind of Blue....Miles Davis

2. Smokin' at the Half Note.....Wes Mongtomery w/Wynton Kelly Trio

3. "The Atomic Basie".........Count Basie Orchestra

4. We Take Requests......Oscar Peterson Trio

Realize there are a ton of other great "Deserted Island" recordings we should all have....But this is a great start. I know I'm forgetting some GREAT recordings too....Anyway....Have fun.

Happy Listening!!

Happy New Year!!

Cool! I know the genre is vast and it's impossible to distill it into four recordings, but I'm always fascinated to hear astute responses to questions like this. #1 and #4 are in my collection already, but #2 and #3 are not ... I'll check them out!

Thanks a lot Todd! Best wishes for '09.