Jazz Recs for Classical Music Fan - Challenging


Having acquired 1000s of classical CDs (probably more than I could ever listen to), I think that it is time to start with some Jazz. I know there are a lot of forums, websites, and books that give much great advice on how to approach the subject. However, I am looking for more particular recommendations. Perhaps some fellow posters with classical tastes in the Romantic and Modern eras could give some recs that would nicely bridge the gap. I've tried to make my way into Jazz a couple of times, but haven't been successful to date. Perhaps someone here can help me make the breakthrough.

Here are some of the things I am looking for:
1) Decent recordings. This probably means something from the 60s, forward. A little tape hiss is OK, but excessively remastered or noisy recordings are not what I'm looking for. I know that many of the great recordings are from the 30s through the 50s, and I have ordered a couple of those.
2) Naturally recorded. No amplification, no over-miking, good engineering. Vocals should be minimally or not amplified. Soundstage needs to be realistic. The venue should be apparent. No 50 ft clarinets and vocals eminating from the entire soundstage.
3) Acoustic instruments. I do not like electronic music.
4) No divas-come-lately. I don't care to hear the latest 22 year old with a big voice, amplified and electronically filtered to 'perfection', a pretty album cover, and a marketing campaign to tell me how great she is.
5) Emotional content. Not just for tapping your foot or for background music.
6) Great performances. Not just something that came out last month with high recommendations in the press.
7) Probably smaller ensemble pieces. Vocals, piano, quartets, etc.
8) There may be some labels that have classical and jazz recordings that overlap (?ECM).

Thanks,
Rob
rtn1

Showing 3 responses by rtn1

So far, so good. Keep the recs flowing. I have some on order, and I'll strike at BMG has another $2.99 sale.

I am definitely not opposed to modern jazz, and remain open to pieces that are not immediately accessible. I've been willing to experiment with modern classical music, and it can sometimes be rewarding. I just don't want something that is totally abstract or 'off the wall'.

Rob
I know BMG won't have much of this stuff, but I continue to be surprised at what they do carry. I've already found about 10 of the recommendations on their website so far. They even have contracts with smaller classical labels such as ECM, Hyperion, BIS, etc.
Well, BMG now has their $2.99 sale. I just placed an order for 9 CDs that are recommended in this thread. I also bought 4 CDs from recommendations on a previous thread. After S&H, it came out to less than $7 per CD and earned me 2 free CDs. Pretty good deal.

Thanks,
Rob