• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Recommend me some Jazz

C

Cochise

Jan 14, 2005
163
0
58
Wilmington, Kent. England
#1
Having searched and not come across what I'm looking for, I thought I'd ask you all for help.

I'm trying to expand my musical tastes from my rather blinkered rock pop and blues tastes, and thought I'd give Jazz a go-except I'm not sure where to start. I know Jazz is split into quite a few sub-genres and TBH I really don't get some of the stuff I've heard which seems to have no tune to it whatsoever. So what I'm after is old or new, tuneful jazz

Can anybody help here?

TIA

Peace

Kurt
 
#3
AFTER you listen to that, and your mind is sufficiently blown, prepare yourself. Because that is the Avril Lavine of jazz.

Find some Miles Davis and some Coltrane, drink some whiskey, and prepare yourself for a whole new world.

Seriously though, I'm no jazz expert, I just know what I like. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew is my favorite jazz album, but Kind of Blue is the more classic album that those with, ahem, more 'experianced' taste will probably recommend. It's all good. I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will chime in and get you started proper.
 
#5
Some of the "easy to get into but still really excellent" albums from the bebop era I'd suggest would be:
Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue"
Sam Rivers "Fuschia Swing Song"
Coltrane "My Favorite Things"
Coltrane "Giant Steps"
McCoy Tyner "The Real McCoy"
Brubeck's "Time Out"

I've got a ton more albums from that era, but these are some of the easiest on new ears.

The more modern you go, the more things vary, so maybe try out the classic bebop stuff first before you get into listening to the entire Masada collection by John Zorn :D
 
#6
A few names / bands in no particular order, in addition to the ones already mentioned:

- Herbie Hancock has some jazz with soul/funk influences that are easy on the ears for a beginner in jazz. Check out for example the songs Maiden Voyage, Cantaloupe Island and Watermelon Man (That guy seem to have a thing for melons... ;))
- Cannonball Adderley has a style that is quite easy to listen to yet being interesting
- Steely Dan - Pop/rock with very strong jazz influences
- Keith Jarrett - if you ignore his strange behaviour and the sounds he is making while playing, he plays some really great music
- Chick Corea - I enjoy the "Friends" album the most, some like the work with his Electric Band the most
- Weather report - One of the the greatest jazz fusion bands ever
- Jaco's solo work is good too. In addition to his albums, check out the Jaco Pastorius Big Band - Word of Mouth Revisited album. GREAT music. I love big bands. :)
- Yellowjackets - Their music spans from almost pop to straight-ahead jazz. Great music, most of it.

I recommend to check out www.allmusic.com. There's tons of information about jazz and it's many subgenres including lists of the most important bands in each sub-genre.

Also start visiting jazz clubs. Just be careful - once you get bitten by the jazz fly, there's no turning back. :)
 
#7
As mentioned, if you want to start easy, try Herbie Hancock first. I find that throughout all periods, Herbie always has managed to be smooth and sophisticated; he could be a stepping stone to Miles, Coltrane, etc.

There is a great The Best of Herbie Hancock CD out right now, which by the way, includes a smoking song, "4 AM:" with Jaco on it.
 
#8
These are a few of many jazz works that I really like:

Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Andy Sheppard - Rhythm Method
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage, Speak like a Child
Charles Mingus - Blues and Roots, Let my children hear music
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Wayne Shorter - Adam's Apple, Speak No Evil, High Life
John Coltrane - Giant Steps

I also like
as a pianist: McCoy Tyner,
as a double bass player: Ron Carter,
as a sax player: Cannonball Adderley,
as a trumpet player: Freddie Hubbard
 
#10
megadan said:
AFTER you listen to that, and your mind is sufficiently blown, prepare yourself. Because that is the Avril Lavine of jazz....
Click to expand...

Hmmm....not sure about that... Paul Desmond is excellent as usual and the drum solo is great!

It is restrained and "cool" - but there is a lot of musical worth in there!!
 
#12
Arduy said:
These are a few of many jazz works that I really like:

Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Andy Sheppard - Rhythm Method
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage, Speak like a Child
Charles Mingus - Blues and Roots, Let my children hear music
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Wayne Shorter - Adam's Apple, Speak No Evil, High Life
John Coltrane - Giant Steps

I also like
as a pianist: McCoy Tyner,
as a double bass player: Ron Carter,
as a sax player: Cannonball Adderley,
as a trumpet player: Freddie Hubbard
Click to expand...

Good stuff here.

I'd start with late 40's, 50's, and 60's bop and hardbop. Think Charlie Parker, Miles, Cannonball, Sonny Rollins, and Coltrane. When you want to step out a little further look into Eric Dolphy, Thelonious Monk, and late Coltrane. That's a start...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back