Any Steely Dan record
would be a good intro
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
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. |
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:
Trumpet led:
Piano/keyboardled:
Bass Led:
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I can’t recall ever reading a full set of responses and agreeing so thoroughly with them. There is a lot of great advice above. A reason to treasure this site. I’d add to the many excellent recommendations: Herbie Hancock, Headhunters and Cantaloupe Island and one of my favorite songs, Peaches en Regalia by Frank Zappa (he recorded a bunch of versions). Zappa has a lot of cross-over. This particular song has no lyrics and is more accessible than a lot of his other music. With my and the other recommendations above, I’d try stuff out and then dive in to what you find enjoyable. Have fun! |