Jazz....Where to start? - Page 2

I wouldn't wanna start with 'Kind of Blue' from Miles Davis if you don't know anything 'bout him, instead, get a copy of 'Birth of the Cool'. You'll hear some familiar sounds from that album. Basically, you'll want to start your way up.

Also, every jazz lovers should own Dave Brubeck's 'Time Out'. It's kinda laid back but still makes your toes tapping. Oh, sound quality is awesome, too.

Stan Getz should also be on your list. All of his music is perfect for chill out night. His saxophone just flys through the air with great melody.

If you want vocals, try Madeleine Peyroux's 'Careless Love'. She sings like billie Holiday (whom should be on your list, too), but her voice's more mellow but exciting at the same time.

Maybe this is a subject for another thread, but does anyone else get queasy when jazz is referred to as "chill-out music"? I kinda feel like jazz is a pretty big tent with lots of different attractions.

One more pianist: Herbie Nichols (much closer to Monk than, say, Phineas Newborn Jr.)

Herbie Nichols is a god!

Absolutely. For so many jazz little more than an affectation, like smoking a pipe or speaking with a British accent. Unfortunately, a great deal of jazz recommendations on this site tend to be of the 'innocuous jazz as hip easy listening' variety. Oh well. There are lots of good recommendations also. Based on the OPs preference so far, I think DavidMahler's recommendations are his best options.

oh so many choices . . .

i'd throw in:

* chet baker - chet
* sonny rollins - way out west
* dave brubeck - time out
* mccoy tyner - ny reunion

for some vocals, gotta start with ella - the best voice ever -- particularly ella & louis.

Also, since people are recommending Ken Burns related material, I will specifically say to avoid that stuff. It has a pretty specific point of view on jazz, and that point of view is quite different from Tribute to Jack Johnson and A Love Supreme.

each genre of music isnt always suited to each individual, i am laid back in musical taste and enjoy everything from cradle of filth through to eva cassidy.

some people find it more difficult to adapt to a broad spectrum of music, just because you havent officially listened to jazz in a purposeful, structured way, ie gone out and bought, and listened to jazz artists, doesnt matter, and doesnt make you a bad person

all of the choices given by other posters, i am sure will more than cover your jazz beginnings, i am not knowledgeable enough on jazz to truly know.

but if, after checking out those reccomendations, you feel that classical, traditional jazz is not your cup of tea there are other styles of jazz, smooth jazz fusion jazz etc etc, most of them criticized by die hard big band and classical jazz fans for being to poppy or commercial, but i found, in honesty that some jazz i was listening too and that my friends listened too, wasnt pressing my buttons as much as i had hoped and would have expected, i searched around and found a few quazi-jazz outfits that touched the right spot for me, a laid back, boozy-flowing, more modern take on the core jazz roots.

one example is the rippingtons, a great collective of musicians featuring keyboards, guitar, sax, piano, drums and all the usual elements, i find them airy, fruity, uplifting and varied

i believe kenny g was a former member, which may give you a slight taste of some of the sax styles used

i also like rick braun, the guy that did the fantastic midnight caller theme - you remember right? - with gary cole as jack killian, haha - great show!!

having said all that, i do sometimes find myself having a hankering for some satchmo but shhhh dont tell anyone!!!!

Take a listen to Sketches of Spain - Miles Davis. One of my favs.

For the 50s/60s era recordings, an amp with crossfeed is a must for me.

I agree that the documentary sucks, but the CDs have absolutely no Ken Burns content or point of view. Just a great overview of the history of Jazz. They're some of the best Jazz comps put out during the CD era. And they were *designed* to introduce new listeners to Jazz.

See ya
Steve

Seconded, although admittedly, I have a hard time recommending anything with Burns on the marquee. There are just so many really great jazz albums out there, as the Duchess is finding out by diving into Miles and Brubeck. The best thing would be to save this thread and select from it leisurely. No one has recommended anything substandard.

Its a good overview of early jazz. But any box set that has 2 and half discs of prewar jazz with only 2 electric jazz tracks and only 2 very mildly avant garde tracks does absolutely have a point of view.