I need a Jazz primer.

[Montycat]

^^ I wouldn't have thought of suggesting King Crimson but they could certainly bridge the jazz/rock thing. Also, maybe Soft Machine, Focus, Deodato and the others of that era.

More modern entries include the already mentioned Medeski Martin & Wood, Gov't Mule, Kamsai Washington and Danny McCaslin (backing band for Bowie's Black Star).

 

[thilaseen]

I'm currently listening to The Pentangle's "Sweet Child". Not bad at all. A bit of folk/jazz you may like.

 

[jgannon]

I jumped to "Kind of Blue" and, while enjoyable, seemed to lack some of the kick that "fusion" had for me. I've heard good things about Coltrane, Mingus, Davis, etc. But I think starting out I might like my jazz to be spiked with a little funk or soul. The wild clarinet spasms are just a little too intense for me at this time. Same with the tracks that wander WAY far away into the ether before coming back into line.

So, any suggestion for a neophyte? I'm thinking the aforementioned Headhunters, Bitches Brew, and maybe Birth of the Cool? It's what Amazon is suggesting anyway.

Hi and kudos to you for being willing to venture into checking out some different music. I would say, if there was anything you liked about "Kind of Blue", give it some more time. Sometimes it takes listening to something for a while before you begin to more fully get with what what's going on. There is actually plenty of "kick" in that famous recording just as it is, and after a while you might dig that. The process is kind of like getting off salt. At first you miss the taste that salt gives food, but after a while, you begin to enjoy the natural taste of food without the salt. Also, I'm not sure what "clarinet spasms" you are referring to, but if you are referring to any of the extended improvisations on KOB, I think what you'll realize eventually, is that you're being led in depth, into some amazing music. Give things time and the "ether" will be where you will eventually swim!

At the same time, there is nothing wrong with going with some more of the fusion-oriented things, or jazz that has a "funk or soul" influence. It may truly be what you like better. You can also like all of it. But the point I'm making, is that a lot of people who haven't listened to much jazz, might need some time to acclimate. Stay with it!

Also, as mentioned above, the Jazz Playlist, is a great place to visit to find things to listen to.

 

[charles64]

I don't wander into Fusion or Free Jazz too often but I would also say in addition to some of the other suggestions above,you might try Ornette Coleman.-"The Shape of Jazz to Come" was one of the first steps toward the Avant-Garde. Gabor Szabo's "Jazz Raga" is a personal favorite of my old lady,who was a (Tie) dyed in the wool Deadhead.

 

[Nixxuz]

Hi and kudos to you for being willing to venture into checking out some different music. I would say, if there was anything you liked about "Kind of Blue", give it some more time. Sometimes it takes listening to something for a while before you begin to more fully get with what what's going on. There is actually plenty of "kick" in that famous recording just as it is, and after a while you might dig that. The process is kind of like getting off salt. At first you miss the taste that salt gives food, but after a while, you begin to enjoy the natural taste of food without the salt. Also, I'm not sure what "clarinet spasms" you are referring to, but if you are referring to any of the extended improvisations on KOB, I think what you'll realize eventually, is that you're being led in depth, into some amazing music. Give things time and the "ether" will be where you will eventually swim!

At the same time, there is nothing wrong with going with some more of the fusion-oriented things, or jazz that has a "funk or soul" influence. It may truly be what you like better. You can also like all of it. But the point I'm making, is that a lot of people who haven't listened to much jazz, might need some time to acclimate. Stay with it!

Also, as mentioned above, the Jazz Playlist, is a great place to visit to find things to listen to.

Snagged a copy of KOB, Bitches Brew, and Mysterious Traveller.

 

[Flippo63]

I would recommend Pat Metheny Group.

 

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[Champco]

Maynard!

 

[tomcatmixd]

...as mentioned above, the Jazz Playlist, is a great place to visit to find things to listen to.

So true! I've been listening to jazz for 30 years, and I'm always learning new (and old) things on the AK Jazz Playlist. That said, I can't say I agree with too many of the "jazz recommendations" you've received in your thread, @Nixxuz.

My suggestion? Ken Burns. The filmmaker's 10-episode PBS series, "Jazz," provides an essential historical overview of jazz, its "sub-genres," and the people who made it great. Without that historical perspective, I really think it's difficult to appreciate the music for what it is. After all, jazz is a cumulative art form. When you start with Miles Davis' electric period (or Herbie Hancock's) you miss all that came before it. Not that you might not ultimately end-up there—it's just that, when you do, you'll know why.

I envy the journey you're about to take, @Nixxuz. May you enjoy it as much as the rest of us!

 

[BobbyBluz]

Personally I prefer Bop from the 50's & 60's. Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers were the college of Jazz. Sonny Stitt was the cousin of my Jazz mentor. For guitar Tal Farlow, Howard Roberts and Johnny Smith ring my bell. Loads of Bop on YouTube.

 

[Champco]

Yea But
Take a perfectionist with perfect sound pitch who takes songs and produces Jazz from them. Wes Montgomery's Road Songs comes to mind. BB King loved Wes's playing.

 

[crazy-in-az]

For great jazz-funk I like Grover Washington Jr., specifically "Soul Box" and "Inner City Blues".

Many have already mentioned Weather Report, so I'd like to add Dixie Dregs to the fusion pile, along with Santana. Much of their music was latin/jazz/rock fusion.

 

[TPettenati]

A 2nd vote for Cactus Bob's - Jazz Fusion Playlist

Lots of good music!

 

[jgannon]

When you start with Miles Davis' electric period (or Herbie Hancock's) you miss all that came before it. Not that you might not ultimately end-up there—it's just that, when you do, you'll know why.

Introducing somebody to Miles Davis via "Bitches Brew" is kind of like introducing someone to The Beatles with "Revolution No. 9"...

 

[KeninDC]

Introducing somebody to Miles Davis via "Bitches Brew" is kind of like introducing someone to The Beatles with "Revolution No. 9"...

My first jazz album was Bitches Brew. I was told by a friend that "coming from a rock & roll background, you'll get it." It worked for me. Soon after, I got Coltrane's A Love Supreme. When I started listening to Miles Davis' classic late 50s output, I could hear how Bitches deconstructed the earlier jazz. But, yeah, if I were teaching a course in jazz, there is something to be said for some sort of chronological understanding. But, of course, Bitches makes a solid argument that time and space are a cosmic Mobius strip.