I want to start listening to Jazz, but need help!

[Kevman]

I always liked Jazz, but never really went as far as buying albums or MP3's. I really don't know any of the big artists in the genre. Now I want to start listening and don't know where to start.

Some suggestions as to what artists I should start listening too would be nice.

-Cheers

[glynnahab]

I'm no expert, but I can tell you that John Coltrane and Miles Davis are obligatory if you're interested in jazz.

[Snickerd00dle]

there is a crazy group that could be considered jazz, mahavishnu orchestra, then davis, coltrane, thelonius monk, jimmy smith, louis armstrong, herbie hancock
there are some to get you started

[thejamessea]

Yo. I love Jazz. Have for years.

One of my favorite albums is by Winard Harper. It's called "Make it Happen".

You should absolutely get yourself a copy of that album. It's amazing.

The people others have listed are good for starters. They do all the big standards and in some cases are the people who made those songs "standards" in the first place.

Diana Krall if you're interested in really amazing Jazz singers.

[Snickerd00dle]

the biggest problem with starting off with a genre is the fact that there are so many sub-genres, for instanace, if some one wanted to get into rock music and hadnt, there are so many different subs that you would find slayer and little richard being suggested, so i think you will find the same thing with jazz, i would find out what you like to begin with then go from there, because jazz is odd enough as it is, so start with what you know then go from there, pandora is a good sight that helps with that kind of stuff

[arion]

Dave Brubeck is good for purely instrumental jazz

[Droid party]

Miles Davis-Kind of blue, is the biggest selling jazz record of all time. A decent place to start.

[bobbynewmarkiii]

Your request is a bit vague, kevman - what sort of Jazz do you enjoy (be as specific as possible, give us some names of artists and albums you enjoy if you can)?

My first jazz CD was Soultrane by John Coltrane, which is a really good mid-period Coltrane record, not too off the wall (although I really enjoy late Coltrane now), and not too tame, which is how I find Charlie Parker and other early bop pioneers. I can thoroughly recommend Soultrane as a starting point, I think it's available on prestige records - should be on amazon for a reasonable price. Kind of blue has been recommended and is excellent - also try a Herbie Hancock compilation - one with Waltermelon Man, Chameleon and Cantaloupe Island on it (unfortunatly 'Headhunters', on which some of these tracks first appeared, can be a bit heavy for the uninitiated). You may even find that you enjoy early jazz music from the 30's and 40's.

If you like big bands, try and work out what period band you most enjoy listening to - there's a world of difference between the bands of Duke Ellington and Glen Miller (sorry, can't recommend any albums - too early for me) and Count Basie (try 'The Atomic Mr Basie - or any decent looking compilation) and the big bands of Buddy Rich and the Carnegie Hall Big Band (in my view it kind of goes full circle with most modern big bands, which are essentially retro bands, and don't really bring anything new to the table) - a good compilation will be your friend.

Find out what's going on in your area - as I grew up I listened a lot to Courtney Pine, who was big in the UK at the time. I found it a real valuable experience to pursue and develop my own taste as well as listening to what everyone else told me I should.

If you just want to dip in to some random jazz record try this guy's website http://myjazzworld.blogspot.com/ As far as I can tell he must have an enormous record collection and transfers records that have not been issued on CD into downloads and posts them for everyone to enjoy. Most of the albums are not too well known (otherwise they would have been reissued on CD), but there are some big names (just noticed a recent Herbie Hancock upload that I've never heard of before!)

Lastly - a mention for Ornette Coleman - who presented his thesis 'The Shape of Jazz to Come' in 1959 and has been trailblazing what I consider the true path of post-bop jazz ever since - this record, and indeed his entire back catalogue, is essential.

[fastbilly1]

Count Basie
Duke Elington
Nat King Cole

Your good. Their names all come from the hierarchy the jazz lifestyle bestows upon the best. Granted I really enjoy the Jazz Mandolin Project...

[HeavyMetalMe]

Sun Ra.