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Can you recommend Jazz for some one that doesn't like Jazz?

Let me explain, I have tried to like jazz for over 30 years. I rarely find something I like. To me it sounds too disjointed, like everyone is trying to out do the others and they are all playing a different song. I know there has to be some good instrumental smooth jazz artists I am missing. If you have any suggestions of whom to try let me know. Some that are on my Jazz playlist is Pat Metheny-"It's for you"   Bill Frisell _"Heard it through the grapevine"  Holly Cole, George Benson... for an example of things I do like.

 

I'd love to have a 100 song Jazz playlist. So what'ch got for me?

Thanks

128x128fthompson251
pgaulke60
300 posts
 

I would start with a music appreciation class. Learn how to listen to the musicians interacting with each other. Learn how they are listening to each other and then making incredible music with queues to each other. That is what makes jazz and other forms of improvisational music so incredibly, whether rock, bluegrass, jamband or any other. Sometimes I just focus on one instrument then gradually other players seep into my listening space. It’s a wonderful experience, imho 

willy-t
158 posts
 

Any  Steely Dan record

would be a good intro

 

jonwolfpell
392 posts
 

I found years ago that big band jazz is pretty easy to enjoy & “ understand “ for someone unfamiliar w/ much of jazz as I was. It’s generally more structured w/ less improvisation.

stuartK’s explanation of jazz is excellent & it may sound strange but I really began to appreciate the Grateful Dead after I realized that much of their music follows this jazz format of stating a central theme as a group,  taking turns w/ variations on that theme & then finally returning to that group theme albeit often a bit changed or even expanded. For those who don’t know, Jerry Garcia was a great musician who could play many types of music at a high level. 

baldric
1 posts
 

Almost every person who "doesn't like jazz" seems to like simple solo female vocal jazz artists like Norah Jones's first record, Holly Cole's early releases, Sophie Milman, Patricia Barber, even Blossom Dearie.

ezstreams
52 posts
 

I love this post!!

@fthompson251 i must be your music doppelgänger!  I’m still trying to “get” traditional jazz after 50+ years.

 Thank you @stuartk , your post was very enlightening and educational!

In addition to the many great recommendations you have received already, here are some jazz artist I enjoy. They tend to stick with a tune but some do improvisation along the way:

Guitar led:

  • Chris Standring
  • Chuck Loeb
  • Les Sabler
  • Larry Carlton
  • Jeff Lorber
  • Paul Brown
  • Thom Rotella
  • Chieli Minucci
  • George Benson
  • Earl Klugh
  • Acoustic Alchemy

Trumpet led:

  • Rick Braun
  • Cindy Bradley
  • Chet Baker
  • Chris Botti

Piano/keyboardled:

  • Brian Simpson
  • Oli Silk
  • Bob James
  • Paul Hardcastle

Bass Led:

  • Brian Bromberg 

 

 

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