Rock guy looking to learn some Jazz - what should i start listening too?

[SactoBass]

This brief "must see" video for any jazz enthusiast will provide great insight into the world of jazz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TebUMhJAKSM

It's only 9 minutes long, but the value it provides is worth so much more.

[Da Funky Fish]

Thanks for the replies. I've always been a fan of Stanley Clarke School Days and have that album. I downloaded two Miles' albums today, his first and an EP, something with the word Blue in it. The slow, walking type stuff is what I think I'd attack, while rewarding how to read etc (I think). I'm gonna contact the lesson guy soon and suggest starting with some theory, reading and getting me into the walking stuff.

Can anyone tell me a good version of Autumn Leaves to download?

[Shakin-Slim]

When you listen to jazz do you dig it? Do you feel drawn to it? You can't force it, just because you want to become a better musician.

I could be here all day listing great cats, so I'll just say this: Thelonious Monk.

[Groove Doctor]

I think early Jazz-Blues is great to get started on eg Basin St Blues, Louis Armstrong, etc. While not 'advanced' jazz, it's quick and easy to learn.

Jamey Aebersold lessons and play-alongs are great for a beginner. Simple, you move thru them quickly, and each book is cheaper than one lesson. Some teachers use them as beginners 'textbook'.
http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/merchan...ry_Code=AEBPLA

He has a free download beginners PDF on his site iirc.

[Groove Doctor]

^ this 56 page free download. Give yourself a few months to go thru it though.
http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/download/FQBK-handbook.pdf

He recommends these songs for beginners
"Beginning Songs
Blues in Bb & F
Footprints, Cm
Satin Doll, C
Doxy, Bb
Autumn Leaves, G
Impressions or So What, Dm Summertime, Dm
Song For My Father, Fm
Maiden Voyage, Am
Silvers Serenade, Em
Cantaloupe Island, Fm
Sugar, Cm (called Groovitis)
Watermelon Man, F"

[Da Funky Fish]

These responses have been great -I will go through all of this when I have time later today.

Shakin - since 'jazz' is broad I am trying to determine what is drawing me. Bass line on Miles Davis' Alone Together I like. I'm assuming there will be ear catching and funky like Stanley Clarke school day and some may be super boring too. I will catch and make my Mitch, hopefully.

[bolophonic]

When I decided to take the plunge into jazz, I started out with the Miles Davis autobiography and a membership to the Columbia House cd club. It is important to understand the context of the artists if you intend to cultivate a deep appreciation for what those dudes were trying to convey. The first jazz album I ever bought was a Roland Kirk compilation on a whim. It was pretty advanced for a noob. Someone hooked me up with a Monk trio album soon after, which really helped me ease into the genre.

Take your time, and maybe focus on a certain era or instrument or type of combo to make it easier to start figuring it all out.

[tedesco23]

Originally Posted by Federighi

Check out the Brian Blade Fellowship album Perceptual. Truly some of the most amazing jazz available today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpyQWRJnPM (crooked creek is a personal favorite of mine).

This is a *great* recommendation. This album, along with the more recent "Season of Changes," is just inspired.

[scottfeldstein]

Anyone think it's worthwhile to watch the Ken Burns series on jazz?

[Cycho]

Don't just focus on performers. Check out composers also. When you are comfortable playing Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, etc. you will have a better understanding of jazz idioms including complex jazz chords which aren't usually found in rock tunes.

[BogeyBass]

Yes the usual candidates I guess

Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Duke Ellington
Raymond Scott
Herbie Hancock

odd but cool Bernard Herrmann did alot of soundtracks
pink panther being more well known but his venture in Jazz for the Taxi Driver soundtrack is Amazing, well worth the purchase on CD or Vinyl

Duke Ellington can slam the piano like no other
I collect his music on 78 and 33 vinyl and CD
that blues jam video is great, I love the #### eating grin
on his face.

Raymond Scott did alot of work for Warner Brothers, hundreds of cartoons with his work, but he is also known for being a electronic pioneer and did alot of wierd stuff. Bob Moog I guess was heavily influenced by him and found inspiration as a child when he toured Raymond Scotts electronics lab. Scott made sounds like no other way before electronic instruments were commercial available on Soothing sounds for Baby. It might sound like squeaks and bleeps compared to todays music but it was made in 1964 and he was making odd sounds for radio commercials in the 50's...way ahead of his time.

Likewise stuff like Twilight in Turkey shows his other side of fun

[LeoSash]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Anyone think it's worthwhile to watch the Ken Burns series on jazz?

Depends on how in depth you wanna get with jazz. It covers swing, bebop, covers louis armstrong a ton. kind of skims over 60's avant garde and free jazz and fusion.

Now as jazz for a bass player theres some good bass players to listen to:

Jimmy Blanton(duke ellington) Walter Page (Count Basie) Scott lafaro/Chuck Israels(Bill Evans Trio) or Eddie Gomez if you like choppsy Upright players. Paul Chambers (Sideman but famously played for miles davis on Kind of Blue) Ron Carter (also miles davis) Then for some modern players: Christian McBride (solo, Wynton Marsalis) Vincente Archer (Robert Glasper Trio). That's about it, but they're all upright players.

Hope this helps.

[Codger]

Another approach, rather than to listen to to oeuvre of a particular artist or artists would be to go at it by learning the standards such as might be called at a jam. All the Things You Are, There Will Never Be Another You, etc., (there are lists). Pick one and get as many recordings by different artists doing the tune. It is a great way to learn the tunes, often reharmonized and you will hear different styles in the process.

WRT theory, you will want to be intimate with the II-V-I and its variations. That will cover you 95% to the intermediate level. The II-V-I Jamey is good practice for this progression.

[HolmeBass]

Lots of great suggestions. I'm a rock guy too but I listen to jazz a fair bit. I guess I would reiterate Miles Davis and John Coltrane, I recommend the "greatest hits" of Kind of Blue and Giant Steps. I would also get some Ray Brown- Modern Jazz Quartet, his Trio, and all the great work he did with Oscar Peterson and Clark Terry. Ray can walk the bass like nobody else. And someone else said Mingus, "Ah, Um", I can give that a hearty second, along with most other stuff he's done. Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage", also kind of a 'greatest hit' album, but very enjoyable.

[Ricnroll]

Wes Montgomery

[jerry]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Anyone think it's worthwhile to watch the Ken Burns series on jazz?

A little off topic, but the Ken Burns documentary was great until it just dropped off almost everything to do with anything from the 70's on, especially fusion.

[ahc]

Originally Posted by ntenny

Bill Evans (whose approach to chords on piano probably has some lessons for us as bassists)

Check out "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" and "Waltz for Debbie"... two albums from the same Village Vanguard gig. If Scott LaFaro don't knock you out no none will. IMHO, that is.

[Grateful]

In addition to some of the fine suggestions already given, I would add the following:

-Anything with Ray Brown. Especially with the Oscar Peterson Trio. Fantastic, interesting, tasteful and melodic basslines.

-Brian Bromberg - Especially 'Compared To That' and 'Downright Upright'.

Lots of Bossa Nova and Samba tunes have some great bass lines in them as well.

[Mark Perry]

I got into Jazz by buying Charles Mingus' "Ah um", struggling with it, borrowing Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain" from my bass teacher and finding that harder to listen to. When i listened to "Ah um" again i really enjoyed it!

The bad plus are an easy band to get into if you're coming from a rock background:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OruzDa0He-g

I love Charles Mingus albums such as: "Blues and roots" or "Oh yeah". Both very Cathartic!

Try Thelonius Monk or Duke Ellington as well.

[Orangeclawhamme]

I got this free Sirius XM radio with my new car this past February. I listen to the jazz station at least 90% of the time. I don't know if this is an answer for someone in your position, but maybe it's better than buying a bunch of cds or downloads. I'm thinking about getting it for the house.

Is there a jazz radio station in your area? We have one from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

I am currently reading JAZZ FOR DUMMIES. I don't know if I can recommend it. I got it at an outlet store for $8.00.