I'm assuming that an avid Jazz fan would have many of the usual chestnuts from Miles, Coltrane, Ella, Sarah, Duke, Count, etc. Therefore, something somewhat obscure but great might be in order. I suggest "Thoughts of Dar Es Salaam" by the late LA pianist, Horace Tapscott. Horace was one of those unsung regional Jazz legends that deserved much wider recognition than he received. Horace was truly a musicians musician, one of those guys that everyone that visited the LA area were very eager to play with. "Thoughts..." is my favorite of his readily obtainable recordings and is always in heavy rotation. He was one of the great thinkers in the music, so there is always a lot going on, and many corners to explore. Pretty and challenging in equal measure.
