Are You Jazz Curious? Here's 5 Albums To Check Out

If you're curious about #jazz, but aren't sure where to start. Maybe everything you've heard so far has been something of a challenging listen? Well, here's 5 great albums which will serve as an introduction to this often maligned genre. Check out the links nelow:

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[AlanDunnett-vm]

Some excellent choices there John, here's a few extra off the top of my head - Sonny Rollins- the bridge (Jim Hall on guitar)
Oliver Nelson - the blues and the abstract truth, Grant Green - iron city, Wes Montgomery - boss guitar

[klausfritsch]

Saxophone Colossus - very smooth, I like it. Somehow very relaxing, too.

[calbrockocat]

I like some guitar-based jazz, like Al DiMeola's Elegant Gypsy and OneNight in San Francisco. Mind you, I don't care for it when there are too many effects or overdrive. I love a creamy neck pickup tone that flows with the music. Leo and Dan Ryan used to review many budget guitars on their YouTube channel .The highlight of the review was Dan letting it rip for a nice improv session. (If he liked the guitar, the sessions were longer.)

[gtx]

I was expecting your list would be jazz guitar players. Joe Pass was one of the first jazz guitar players I heard and was always impressed with his interpretations.

[petergoddard]

All wonderful choices. Perfect as an entree to the genre. My own introduction was more fusion based through bands like Return to Forever, Weather Report, Colloseum II and Soft Machine. Of course I eventually backtracked to these earlier exponents and also continued my journey with more contemporary guitarists like Pat Metheney, John Schofield and the wonderful Bill Frissell.

[AdamHT]

This has got me back into listening to jazz again - thanks!

[peterhall]

I mean, the dividing line between much of early jazz and blues is quite thin. I've always thought that guitarists should listen to jazz (especially trumpet, sax and piano) for melodic inspiration. I would add Moanin’ by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers as an album deserving of your top 5. Glad you mentioned it.

2-5-1 lesson next, John.?

[davidmiller]

Great to see a guitar channel suggesting something different. Always refreshing (for me) to listen to something not totally guitar/bass based for a change. I blame this on discovering Zappa then moving on to jazz weirdness such as Sun Ra. After a day or two I always return to my earliest guitar heroes with a renewed vigour. As Frank said "music is the best" !

[Vincentbrennan]

I love Sketches of Spain - Miles Davis

[johnmac]

Some great listens there John, I like jazz, it doesn't put me off at all. Some of the bebop jazz guitarists are good inspiration for jazzing up our blues licks.

[latheofheaven]

While never really getting into jazz itself as a genre, I've loved where it bumps into other genres. Joni Mitchell's Court & Spark, Hejira, Hissing of Summer Lawns, or Return to Forever's Romantic Warrior, Weather Report's Heavy Weather. Al Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy and Casino. Even jazz's influence in some early Yes and Genesis music. It brings a depth of rhythm and harmony that lightens up other genres that can otherwise sometimes feel a bit stodgy to my ears.

[WilliamJOHNSONJR]

Wow John. Heavy Duty Stuff ! I do jazz. Have always liked it. But for most here, I think a more "lightweight" approach may yield more interest.

Maybe, a bonafide rockstar... Who has ventured into Jazz stuff like Andy Summers ("Last Dance of Mr. X" )

Or Al DiMeola ... granted Jazz Fusion, doing the stuff he did with Chick Corea and "Return to Forever"

And a bonafide jazz guitarist (more modern) Like Pat Metheny...

Grab a listen, and widen your horizons

[klausfritsch]

I bought Kind of Blue a while back based on your recommendation. I love it.

[fretworkband]

“Aspects” album by Larry Coryell and the 11th house. Heard this back in the 70’s on a rock station and it turned me on to jazz fusion (blending jazz with rock and funk). Great songs, riffs and makes you want to boogie.

[simonm]

Almost any Bill Evans is highly recommended - very melodic, easy jazz (apart from Chromatic Universe which isn't but is still brilliant).

[bobtailedcollieradford]

Lee Morgan "The sidewinder", Hank Mobley "Soul Station", Herbie Hancock "Empyrean Isles". Also for some killer guitar check out Jimmy Smith "Back At the Chicken Shack" with Kenny Burrell on guitar and Grant Green "Idle Moments", Wes Montgomery "The incredible guitar of.." & "California Dreaming", are among my favourites.

[jowyong]

All great stuff here 👍🏼 Some of my favourites are Duke's Big 4, Lee Konitz with Wayne Shorter, Chico Freeman - Spirit Sensitive, Oliver Nelson - Blues & the abstract truth, Dave Brubeck - Time Out

[klausfritsch]

Blue Train I like more than Somehing Else, it just sounds better to me. Lost of brass, but not so much in-your-face brass.

[jimmyjames]

Nice intro to jazz albums, covers some great releases! I'd like to add a few covering several eras. Louis Armstrong Hot Five recordings, particularly catch the the intro cadenza for 'West End Blues', Wynton Marsalis loves this intro. Any Django Reinhardt with Stephane Grappelli. 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert - Bennie Goodman. Time Out - Dave Brubeck. Getz Gilberto - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto.

[User]

I don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band...