MY FAVORITE JAZZ ALBUMS Apr 27 '01    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 Mai by Eri Sugai From $4 The Bottom Line Jazz is more easily defined by listening to it than by words so read this and then listen to the greatest jazz albums ever. I have loved jazz for as long as I can remember. As a five year old, my first favorite song was Billy Eckstine's rendition of "Tenderly". Don't ask me why, I just loved the melody. As time went by I listened to jazz with my parents every Friday night and grew to believe there was no other kind of music. I went to jam sessions at a local bar at 10 and I saw Harry James and his orchestra at 11. The music mesmerized me and made it very difficult to realize there was any other kind of music. When I saw this category on epinions, I knew I had to write my own list. I've written favorites lists before in movies but this one was much harder for me. I've read only one other Top Ten Jazz album lists (by Saxguy) and it is an excellent one but I did not want to be influenced by any other person's choices. I have had to list my honorable mentions because listing just 10 jazz albums does not seem sufficient to honor this genre. Actually, I wish there was a list for each major instrument and for male and female vocalists. As with all such lists, mine is purely subjective but it is based years of listening to jazz, reading about jazz and playing jazz on my own NPR radio show for three hours on each Monday night for the last 12 years. I'm listing my honorable mentions first in no particular order with the year the album was released and the record label: DAVE BRUBECK-TIME OUT. 1959. Columbia. Dave Brubeck, piano; Paul Desmond, alto sax; Eugene Wright, bass and Joe Morello, drummer. "Take Five" is the most famous song on this album but it's all great in the explorations of different time signatures. Readily available on CD. STAN GETZ-GETZ/GILBERTO. 1963. Verve. Stan Getz made a number of great albums over the years but this record kept Bossa Nova alive forever. Getz (tenor sax) is joined by the incredible composer Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano, guitarist/singer Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto on vocals. The huge number of classics here include "The Girl from Ipanema", "Desafinado", and "Corcovado." Readily available in CD. COLEMAN HAWKINS-BODY AND SOUL. 1939-1956. RCA. The man who brought the tenor sax to the forefront of jazz with his 1939 rendition of "Body and Soul" is featured on 19 of his greatest performances which RCA reissued on a single CD in 1996. Hawkins preceded the Bop movement but his power and style were unmatched on the tenor sax. SERGIO SALVATORE-TUNE UP. 1994. GRP. The future of jazz is represented by this amazing young artist who was only 13 at the time of this record. He is joined by Gary Burton, the Brecker brothers, and duets with Chick Corea on several standards and 3 of his original compositions. All the musicians remark about his incredible ability but buy this readily available CD and decide for yourself. EARL HINES-HINES PLAYS DUKE ELLINGTON. 1971. New World. Called the "first modern jazz pianist", Earl Hines had one major idol: the Duke. I'm lucky enough to have the original four LP set which features well known and obscure Ellington compositions. Hines is amazing in that he played 20 to 30 years ahead of his time with his time explorations. The CD only includes 20 songs on a three CD selection but its worth the price. DICK HYMAN/RALPH SUTTON. 1993. Concord. I've seen both these stride masters together and separately and it's always a kick. This CD is from a concert at Maybeck Recital Hall and the two pianists set the place on fire with their duos on "Dinah", "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" and several others. See also Dick Hyman's incredible "Themes and Variations on 'A Child Is Born'" plays Thad Jones' song in the style of 12 different piano masters including Bill Evans, Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Fats Waller, George Shearing and Cecil Taylor. BILL HARRIS-BILL HARRIS AND FRIENDS. 1957. Original Jazz Classics. One of the greatest trombonists ever, this is one of only two albums Harris recorded. He was featured with Woody Herman's Herds but this album was Bill's and his friends, Ben Webster, tenor, Jimmy Rowles, piano, Red Mitchell, bass and Stan Levey, drums. Harris had a very unusual sound on the 'bone and also had a great sense of humor. He and Webster perform several great duets and solos. I have the LP but I think it's been released on CD. LEE MORGAN-THE SIDEWINDER. 1963. Blue Note. Known as a hard bop trumpet player, this album and the title cut were Morgan's most famous works. He's joined by Joe Henderson, tenor sax, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Louis Hayes. I have the LP and the CD and there is not a bad song on the album. Morgan was powerful on the horn and also wrote all the songs on the album. CYRUS CHESTNUT-EARTH STORIES. 1995. Atlantic. As this is getting to be a book and I haven't reached my top ten, I'll just say you need to listen to this young great. JAMES CARTER-JURASSIC CLASSICS. 1994. Columbia. Unbelievable young artist who can play several reeds as though each is his main instrument. A must CD. Well, if your eyes aren't too tired, I'll now list my top, uh, ten which I'll call a baker's 10: 10. GEORGE BENSON-WHITE RABBIT. 1971. Columbia. While this is probably not Benson's best album, it has a sentimental value for me. For one thing, it was unlike anything I'd ever heard in 1971 since I was mainly a traditionalist and Creed Taylor's work was not in the main stream. Benson is one of the finest guitarists around and here he explores Spanish flamenco music mixed artfully in a jazz context. He's joined by Herbie Hancock on piano, Airto Moriera, percussion, Ron Carter, bass and Billy Cobham on drums. Highlights of the album include "California Dreamin'", "El Mar" and the title cut "White Rabbit." THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET-THE LAST CONCERT. 1974. Atlantic. O.K., I have a three way tie for 10th but I had to do it. One of the great jazz groups of all times "finished" with a flourish in this double CD from a Los Angeles concert. I say "finished" because the group has reunited for several more concerts and albums. In '74, the quartet had been together for 22 years and they would not reunite for 7 years. MJQ is comprised of John Lewis, piano (he only recently died), Milt Jackson, vibes, Percy Heath, bass and Connie Kay, drums. The CD features live performances of some of MJQ's greatest songs including "Bag's Groove," "Django," and "Softly in the Morning Sunrise." This is a must for serious jazz fans. MEL TORME/BUDDY RICH-TOGETHER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME. 1978. Century. Amazingly, these two old friends had never recorded together until this album. I have the LP and I don't know if it's on CD. It should be. Rich's big band backs on of the greatest jazz singers ever and two of the songs are worth twice the price of the album: Mel's tribute to Ella on "Lady Be Good" and the best rendition of "Blues in the Night" that I've ever heard. 9. SHIRLEY HORN-CLOSE ENOUGH FOR LOVE. 1988. Verve. With Ms. Horn, you get two masters for the price of one. Both an excellent pianist and vocalist, she is at her best here. Nobody, I mean nobody, can sing ballads like this lady. She's joined by her usual music mates, bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams. There is not a bad song on the CD and a few of them are; "But Beautiful," "It Could Happen to You" and "Beautiful Friendship." I loved Ella, Sarah, Billie and Carmen but this lady kills me softly with her voice, playing and style. 8. DAVID SANBORN-PEARLS. 1995. Elektra. This alto saxophone master has done the unforgivable to some jazz purists. He's sometimes "crossed over" to popular music and actually made some money. Purist or not, listen to this CD if you want to hear some great jazz. The great Johnny Mandel arranged most of the songs which include "This Masquerade," "For All We Know", "Willow Weep for Me" and "Come Rain or Come Shine". But it's the title cut "Pearls" that brings chills to my skin and tears to my eyes with its beauty. There is a moment in the song in which Sanborn plays so plaintively that you know the true meaning of the blues when he finishes. 7. ARTURO SANDOVAL-HOT HOUSE. 1998. N2K. I've reviewed this album and believe it to be the best album of 1998. Sandoval's incredible trumpet playing is joined by guest artists Patti Austin, Michael Brecker, Tito Puente and his own band. The CD represents the best of what Dizzy Gillespie was influential in starting: the combination of jazz and Latin music. Sandoval is a personal hero of mine but even if he weren't I would love this album. "Cuban American Medley", "Hot House" and "Brassman's Holiday" are highlights of a great album. 6. ERROLL GARNER-CONCERT BY THE SEA. 1955. Columbia. A personal favorite of mine, Garner was a self taught pianist who never learned to read music. He could hear a song once and play it straight or completely re-write it. This concert finds him at his best on such songs as "I'll Remember April", "Red Top", and "Where or When". He's joined by Eddie Calhoun on bass and Denzil Best on drums. Garner's introductions to songs are often humorous and always innovative. I loved his style and enthusiasm and so did this audience. It has been released on CD. 5. COUNT BASIE-BASIE SWINGS, JOE WILLIAMS SINGS. 1955. Verve. There are so many great Basie albums that could be in my top 10, it's just that this one features the great blues singer Joe Williams. Basie's jazz was more rooted in the Kansas City style and he often featured blues singers such as Jimmy Rushing. But, to me, Williams had the better voice for jazz singing. With the Count's band grooving behind him, Joe sings the classics "Every Day I Have the Blues," "Roll 'Em Pete," and "All Right, OK, You Win." Nobody does it better. Reissued on CD. 4. JIMMY SMITH-BACK TO THE CHICKEN SHACK. 1960. Blue Note. This classic album cemented my love of jazz for life. My parents were gone one Saturday when I was 14 and I noticed this record in my Dad's collection. From the first note, my mind was totally captured by what has been called the "quintessential funky soul-jazz album." Smith was and is and extraordinary organist and he has great company on this album with Stanley Turrentine on tenor, Kenny Burrell on guitar and Donald Bailey on drums. The title cut and every other song on the record swing with true funkiness. Reissued on CD. 3. LAMBERT, HENDRICKS AND ROSS-EVERYBODY'S BOPPIN'. 1961. Columbia. Actually recorded over a two year period, this was the group's fourth album and all of the records were masterpieces. Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross were the members of this group that brought vocalese to its highest point up to that point and maybe forever. "Vocalese" is the use of the human voice with words or scat to reproduce what instruments played. The Mills Brothers and Eddie Jefferson preceded this group and Manhatten Transfer and New York Voices have carried on the tradition but when I heard this album I was stunned. "Charleston Alley," "Twisted," "Cloudburst," "Gimme That Wine," "Bijou" and "Summertime" are highlights of this absolutely perfect album. The incredible harmonies and tempos and lyrics are hard to believe. Reissued on CD. 2. DUKE ELLINGTON-ELLINGTON AT NEWPORT. 1956. Columbia. With a master such as the Duke, there are dozens of albums that could be in any top 10 list. I chose this one because this concert brought Ellington back to the limelight during a time when jazz in general was suffering a decline. Even Ellington's band was in a slump but Newport brought them back with a bang. The entire concert is a masterpiece but what really set it apart was an extraordinary 27 chorus blues improvisation by tenor sax player, Paul Gonsalves, on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue". The solo so inspired the audience that a near riot broke out. Other great songs include Johnny Hodges on "Jeep's Blues" and "Festival Suite" which features all of the Duke's great soloists. Reissued on CD. 1. BENNY GOODMAN-CARNIGIE HALL JAZZ CONCERT. 1938. Columbia. A defining moment in jazz, we almost lost this masterpiece. The first time jazz had ever been played in Carnigie Hall, it was not professionally recorded. One mike recorded the concert and the tapes were put away until 1950. The concert itself is unbelievably great with such songs as "Don't Be That Way," "One O'clock Jump," and "Sing, Sing, Sing" living in our minds forever. Also remarkable was the fact that an integrated group of musicians entertained the crowd that night. Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie were all in the band at times that night which for 1938 was a new experience. Who can forget Gene Krupa, Jess Stacy, Harry James or Goodman himself on "Sing, Sing, Sing?" It was a night to remember for the jazz world. Jazz was finally a legitimate music. Well, the book is over and I realize I left some wonderful artists like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah, Woody Herman and countless others off my list but this would be a great basic library to have for a jazz fan.

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