Jazz Recommendations

To more people than you could ever imagine, Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" is not only the best jazz album of all time, but THE best album of all time. Start with that. Even after many years, it is still always near the top of my CD pile. Last year(on the 40th anniversary of its release), a local guy here in Philly put out a call for people to submit essays on how "Kind of Blue" either affected you or changed your life(yes, it inspires that kind of fanaticism in some). He is going to issue this collection as a book. Hope they print a coffee table suitable edition... The others I would add as being "must haves" are Sonny Rollins "Soundtrack from the movie, Alfie"(the ultimate sleeper for any die hard jazz fanatic), John Coltrane "Blue Train", and another from Miles "Bitches Brew".

Very impressive posts Sdcampbell! You always come up big time. Definitely wish I had your class available to me during my college years. Just wondering about your impressions of Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, and Ornette Coleman. As they were three heavy hitters your list did not include, intentionally or unintentionally? And, what do you think of the "young lions" who have been at the forefront of the jazz renaissance since the mid-90s? I have not given them the time that they probably deserve. But then, I am fixated on deep, dark, brooding jazz from the late 50s to mid 60s.

Sdcampbell, thanks for your information! I almost feel like I am in your class already. Would have been one of my favorites. It is a credit to the school you teach to have a person such as you. One who is not only incredibly adroit at speaking on the topic, but also loves the subject. I agree with all that you have said. I constantly listen to three Sonny Rollins works(and there are many I have come across that have left me unimpressed). Theme from the movie, Alfie(where Michael Caine got his big break) is one of my favorite albums of my collection. Charles Mingus does not play the type of jazz that really sucks me in, but I cannot argue with success. Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz IS hard to follow. And, as you opined, would definitely be a handful for a neophyte. I would welcome an e-mail from you any time you feel like writing to me. TRELJA@aol.com

Sdcampbell I have to concur with Fpeel. I can already see our section of Jazz 101 is filling up rapidly. Thanks for all that you have offered us in this thread. I for one, have been educated. Also would like to say that this has been one of the most civil, pleasant, enlightening threads that I have seen on this site in a good while. Don't ever hesitate from submitting your opinions. No matter how many times