For jazz nothings beats a recording of a live date. Even if classic jazz recordings where all made live the risks taken by the musicians where usually minimal compared to the live dates the 2 I am currently in love with are:
Bill Evans Live at Art D'Lugoff's Top of the Gate and JJ Johnson Standards Live at the Village Vanguard.
Bill Evans Live at Art D'Lugoff's Top of the Gate and JJ Johnson Standards Live at the Village Vanguard.