Jazz "classic"

[Mr Peabody]

I've been getting into the older acoustic type Jazz of late. I've picked some up in the past, Scott Hamilton, Christain McBride, Roy Hargrove and the like. Along the way Miles, Monk. My latest is Ray Brown, Bassics, this is a swinging album with Gene Harris, one of my favorite pianists. I also like Oscar Peterson, so I began with Oscar Peterson Trio w/Milt Jackson, Very Tall, another swinging album.
I've had Count Basie live at the Sands I like pretty well. I also have the Ken Burns collection which I never listen to because it's all, or mostly mono, not sure any more. I may give it a listen. I am however waiting on a Basie with Oscar Peterson, Time Keepers. This is just Basie as a bass player in a small essemble, I haven't heard the entire album but the tracks I heard was Basie with drums and two pianists. Basie really sounds good on this album.
So, there you have it, another facet of my musical tastes. This type of Jazz really sounds good on my system. It has to be lively enough to keep my attention though. What's your favorite similar albums? Prior to these albums it was Killswitch Engage & Volbeat, you know what they say, man can't live by a single genre :), isn't that the way it goes? LOL

[noddin0ff]

Hey Mr. P. I'll throw out some albums for consideration all (I think) from this millenium. But first, maybe look into Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers for some uptempo classic jazz. I like 'Ugetsu' but also 'Caravan' and "A Night in Tunisia' for starts. Fills out a potential hole in the list you gave, although there's several you mentioned that I haven't heard.

A really nice piano + bass album is Kenny Barron & Dave Holland - The Art of Conversation (2014). Some Monk and Parker covers within.
Jazz Reviews: The Art of ConversationKenny Barron/Dave Holland - By Shaun Brady ? Jazz Articles (http://jazztimes.com/articles/147293-the-art-of-conversation-kenny-barron-dave-holland)

I also find myself going to Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band - Landmarks (2014). Why it starts with a minute of electronic noodling baffles me. However, starting on track 2 is good jazz. Blades is a phenomenal drummer.
Jazz Reviews: LandmarksBrian Blade & the Fellowship Band - By Geoffrey Himes ? Jazz Articles (http://jazztimes.com/articles/129463-landmarks-brian-blade-the-fellowship-band)

A terrific latin jazz album is Bebo Valdes & Javier Colina - Live at the Village Vanguard (2005)
Jazz Reviews: Live at the Village VanguardBebo Valdés/Javier Colina - By Rebeca Mauleón ? Jazz Articles (http://jazztimes.com/articles/21194-live-at-the-village-vanguard-bebo-vald-s-javier-colina)

Sax oriented, Joshua Redman - Beyond (2000). The guy can blow and his compositions hold up better on this album.
Jazz Reviews: BeyondJoshua Redman - By John Murph ? Jazz Articles (http://jazztimes.com/articles/11533-beyond-joshua-redman)

But I'm keeping an eye out for Chris Potter (I have The Sirens (2013) and Underground (2006). Potter just has better things to 'say' than Redman, IMO. I should pick up his newer albums.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/chris-potter-the-sirens-by-john-kelman.php
Concert review: Saxophonist Chris Potter at Jazz Showcase - Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-chris-potter-review-20150123-column.html)

Piano oriented, I like Jason Moran - 10 (2010)
Jason Moran: Ten | PopMatters (http://www.popmatters.com/review/130932-jason-moran-ten/)

And slightly more challenging Vijay Iyer - Accelerando (2012) ... or Historicity (2009) and Break Stuff (2015) in that order.
Vijay Iyer Trio: Accelerando Album Review | Pitchfork (http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16483-accelerando/)

And, because I'm enjoying it right now, Neil Crowley Trio - Touch and Flee. lively pleasures.
The Quietus | Reviews | Neil Cowley Trio (http://thequietus.com/articles/15533-neil-cowley-trio-touch-and-flee-review)

enjoy!

[JoeE SP9]

If you're going to listen to Jazz you can't discount a recording because it's in mono. Many of the best recordings were recorded in mono. I suggest giving St. Thomas from Saxophone Colossus, Sonny Rollins and just about anything by Charlie Parker a listen. As for me, Jumpin' At The Woodside, Count Basie is one of my favorites. It to is in mono. You can't expect stereo from anything recorded before stereo existed. Unfortunately an enormous amount of Jazz is pre stereo.

If you like Jazz guitar give Charlie Christian a listen. Although he died in 1942 his solo's sound like they were recorded yesterday.

BTW: I have the Ken Burns collection. Lots of good stuff there.

[topspeed]

I agree with Joe, there's way too much good stuff on mono. I'm a big jazz fan and one of my favorite albums is Dave Brubeck's "Anything Goes," which is in mono. Very cool interpretations of Cole Porter tunes with a swing attitude. A simple flick of my phono amp to 'mono' and I'm good to go!

Today, most of the stuff I'm looking for or already have lean towards swing/big band (Basie, Getz, Duke, etc.), but I do think every collection should have Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" on principle alone. If jazz is meant to be a celebration of free form musical expression, this album has to be the ultimate. Miles brought together Coltrane, Bill Evans, Jimmy Cobb, and Paul Chambers and essentially told them what kind of vibe he was looking for.

That's it. Just a vibe.

There was no sheet music and very little practice. What followed was a direct recording of what would become one of the most seminal jazz albums of all time. Listening to this, particularly on the systems AR members enjoy, will automatically lower your blood pressure 20 points.

Modern jazz can be fun, too. 30 years ago, I was really into Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn, and Phil Wood, all which I find to be a bit too structured now. If you really want to blow your skirt up, check out Snarky Puppy, which is multi-grammy collection of some of the best musicians you'll ever hear. The drummers, either Sput Searight or Larnell Lewis, are flat ridiculous. I played one of their videos for my wife as it was focusing on the drummer and she said, "You can do that." I replied, "I can't even THINK that!"

Cool thread, I'm looking forward to finding some of the recommendations here the next time I'm at the record store.

[noddin0ff]

I have a confession. I have a hard time listening to mono and I have a hard time getting engaged in lo-fi recordings, although there are a few exceptions.

I put together a list of what I would consider 'classics' from my collection. Lots that I'm missing, but I think everyone meanders their own way through finding appreciation of jazz. Certainly starting with Miles Davis and then working through all his band members will cover tons of ground. I put some * by what most would consider must haves and classics. I notice my picks tend to highlight transitional albums heading into the 70s. hmmm.

Ahmad Jamal - Awakenings (1970): piano

**Bill Evans - The Complete Live at the Village Vanguard (Complete is the reissue of the original complete session, the orig album is "Sunday at the Village Vanguard) (1961): piano

*Cannonball Adderley - Something Else (1958)

**Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um (1959)
Big fan of the large ensemble. Personally can't tire of Mingus.

**Dave Brubeck - Time Out (1959)


Freddy Hubbard - Red Clay (1970)

Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters (1973)

John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman (1963)
Absolutely unique. The most romantic old school jazz vocal I can think of. Should be in everyone's collection.

**Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
Miles Davis - In a Silent Way (1969)

**Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus (1957)

Stan Getz & João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto (1963)
I'm a sucker for the Girl From Ipanema.

Stanley Turrentine - Blue Hour: The Complete Sessions w/ the 3 sounds (1960)
Stanley Turrentine - Sugar (1970) --gooey. love it.

Thelonius Monk - Himself (1957)
Thelonius Monk & John Coltrane (1957) (or better, "The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings with John Coltrane")
Monk took Coltrane under his wing and got him on the path to greatness.