Re: Seminal Jazz Albums?

Tony Qaiyum (tony@tripod.tripod.com)
Thu, 11 Apr 1996 14:22:33 -0500


I don't think there's any one way to learn about jazz. I started about
three years ago when I bought a Louis Armstrong album and since then I've
found that my interests have generally followed along with the historical
development of jazz. That wasn't really on purpose -- I just found that I
could better appreciate each album I bought if I knew a little of its
historical context. You know, where it came from and what innovations were
occurring.

That being said I would recommend (based on what my non-jazz friends seem
to like):

any album from Louis Armstrong: talk about revolutionaries -- he pretty
much developed the idea of extended solos. Also, he's generally pretty easy
to digest.

My Favorite Things by John Coltrane: there's been plenty of talk about the
Divine One (Church of Coltrane postings) on this list. Everyone knows this
tune, so it's a great way to give someone an idea of how jazz works. It's
also a nice introduction to Coltrane whose music can often seem pretty
dense to a non-jazz person.

These are just a few suggestions. Like I said, you can start anywhere --
this is just one way.

Oh yeah, you might want to suggest that your friend purchase the
Smithsonian collection of Jazz (or some title like that). While it's less
than complete, especially on the later end of its spectrum, the five disc
set certainly will introduce your friend to many of the most important
figures and recordings in jazz. He can see what he likes and then go from
there.

good luck.

sorry so long,
anthony q

>Hi folks,
>
>I have a friend of mine who is curious about jazz and AJ, but is a total
>newbie. He asked me for some titles & artists who made excellent/revolutionary
>jazz albums.
>
>First off I thought of "Kind of Blue" and "Bitches Brew" but what other albums
>might you all reccomend to someone who wanted to get into jazz with no
>experience?
>
>Thanks!
>Gen

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