I'm really digging jazz right now.

[rirv]

Of course, I am aware that the term 'jazz' covers a pantheon of sub-genre, style and era, and I bet if I talked to a jazz snob he would pour scorn on what I am listening to.

However, I find it is great to work to - adds a mood, an atmosphere punctuated by some great musical moments that give you a break. The lack of words and concrete melodic line - as you find in rock, rap etc. - mean your mind doesn't get hooked on the immediate details but lets you absorb the whole.

I am digging Miles Davis - his breadth of style is great and his appropriation on rock stylings towards the end of the 60s and into the 70s adds a contemporary edge. Bitches Brew, On the Corner and Pangea are what I have been listening to.

Coltrane, I have found, has some great moments but is a little too... well jazzy... in places. Perhaps I am listening to the wrong albums - Giant Steps, Blue Train. Too much sterotpyical, shuffling, doobie doo melodies. Great playing though.

Just bought some Mingus - Black Saint/Sinner Lady. I've read it is visceral and exciting.

Any recommendations from jazz heads?

[Guy Incognito]

mmm...nice

[Turchinator]

rirv- with that list of Miles albums you names, you need to check out "In a Silent Way" as well.

it is considered part of a threesome along with On The Corner and Bitches Brew, as well as the beginning of Miles' fusion period. this album features

Miles Davis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Davis) – trumpet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpet)
Wayne Shorter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Shorter) – soprano saxophone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soprano_saxophone)
John McLaughlin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McLaughlin_%28musician%29) – electric guitar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitar)
Chick Corea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_Corea) – electric piano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Rhodes)
Herbie Hancock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbie_Hancock) – electric piano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Rhodes)
Joe Zawinul (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Zawinul) – organ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_%28music%29)
most of that group went on to become The Weather Report.

and of course Kind Of Blue- it is THE seminal jazz album as well as a Miles album that features Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Bill Evans.

for me, it's all about the Adderleys. My favorite album is "Them Dirty Blues"- The Cannonball Adderley quintet featuring Nat Adderley Sr.

"Work Song" is the most famous track from that album and one of my all time favorite jazz songs along with Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and Joao/Astrud Gilberto/Stan Getz "Girl From Ipanema"


for modern day jazz, check out Jason Moran and the Bandwagon. He is at the top of the game right now...

[Freebasser]

mmm...nice

mmm... ni...

Awwww damnit :(

Anyhoo; Jazz is something I'm severley lacking in. I'm going to get clicking on some of these links (y)

[mickill]

If you're finding Coltrane to be a little too "jazzy" you should try listening to some of his later albums. A Love Supreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuSsZmJCFas&feature=related) is usually considered his high water mark, but when he moved into his avant-garde stage pretty soon after that, some of his own fans couldn't even understand what he was doing anymore. There are two "editions" of his album Ascension (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgrQhBTDfhk&playnext=1&list=PL9F0B253B524E578B), both very similar yet different, that are a perfect example of what I mean. It's probably not the best place to start if you'e just starting to get into his music, but it will probably change your current perception of his work. It's heavily influenced by Ornette Coleman, particularly his Free Jazz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrzOzgYL1-o) album. Ornette's Shape Of Jazz To Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNbD1JIH344) is a little less challenging, if you want a break from the "free" stuff.

I'm listening to Sahib's Jazz Party (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diFEnlTxV4c) at the moment.

[mickill]

On a somewhat related note, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtgUbJN8oPE&feature=related) is probably my single favorite isolated Jazz-related discovery of the last 5 years. Billie Holiday is no big secret, but this performance is amazing for so many reasons. Incredible Lester Young solo at the 2:00 mark, and the greatest sound ever emitted from a trumpet at 6:25.

Some background info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Jazz).

[Sir SkratchaLot]

I like a lot of the Blue Note and CTI records that came out in the 70s
Bobbi Humphrey
Freddie Hubbard
Ron Carter
Bob James
Hubert Laws
Donaldy Byrd
Earl Kugh

Then you've got your Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Man (Cadet).

I do a lot of buying based on the record label and the album cover. Look at who you like and who's playing on the record. If you really get into it you almost have to buy vinyl because a lot of stuff hasn't been reissued.

[jabumbo]

Professor Longhair

[Brother McDuff]

I second "In A Silent Way", especially if you're into mood jazz.

May I suggest some Donald Byrd, Jimmy Smith, Gene Harris, 'Brother' Jack McDuff, and Roy Ayers?

[rirv]

I'm really enjoying In a Silent Way. Thanks for that tip. I'll check some of the other stuff out.