LearnJazzPiano.com archives: piano jazz cds
amoney -- 08/06/2004, 12:37:59 -- #6320
hi,

i was just wondering what good artists i should start listening too to get a good feel and idea of jazz?

anything would be helpful, thanks!

Micah -- 08/06/2004, 13:35:53 -- #6322
If you're just getting into the stuff, I'd recommend the Vince Guaraldi Trio's "Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus". It's got really enjoyable, accessible stuff that's fun to listen to. Of course, I'm just biased, because I love Vince Guaraldi.

Listening to other instruments play jazz won't hurt either, largely because as pianists we all have our moments where we play like different instruments (i.e. a bass in the left hand, or a horn in the right). Just listen to the classics and get to know some of the standards.

amoney -- 08/06/2004, 15:10:19 -- #6323
thats really good info, thanks!

if you can list some other records or artists, that would be much helpful as well, anything that you listen to or prefer is good too.

Peteboypete -- 08/06/2004, 15:22:22 -- #6324
These are what I think to be a great starting place for any jazz collection:

Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis
Blue Train - John Coltrane
Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Clifford Brown & Max Roach

A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
The Shape  Of Jazz To Come - Ornette Coleman
Sketches Of Spain - Miles Davis

Now, I will be the first to admit that this list is in no way complete.  These albums were all made within about ten years of each other and only cover a limited number of musicians, but I think it is a good starting place for a few reasons.

The first three albums are ones that somebody with no jazz experience can hear and enjoy.  Also, the it includes many different styles: modal, hard bop, orchestral, and free.

Lastly, these give specific albums for someone to check out (instead of just a few names).

Peter

7 -- 08/06/2004, 15:46:06 -- #6325
I would say Oscar Peterson. He embodies the entire history of Jazz.

Mike -- 08/06/2004, 23:20:54 -- #6331
kenny G.

Rick -- 08/07/2004, 04:10:09 -- #6337
Bill Evans- Waltze for Debbie
Miles Davis- My Funny Valentine- the complete concert
Keith Jarrett- Tokyo 96
Django Bates- Quiet Nights

amoney -- 08/12/2004, 12:04:20 -- #6464
thanks for more suggestions! are there any modern day pianists i should also give a listen to?

thanks

Teddy -- 08/12/2004, 14:23:26 -- #6467
If you're looking for "modern day" pianists, you can always listen to Scot or myself... Haha, just kiddin'.

Try Gonzalo Rubalcaba, maybe?

amoney -- 08/12/2004, 21:07:09 -- #6471
cool, any suggestions on what what kind of record labels i should look into? i know theres concord recordings, but im not sure about anything else.....

mmaa_mmaa2000 -- 08/13/2004, 09:15:45 -- #6481
i would say listen to tommy flanagan, hank jones, so you can hear the different they way they sound between jazz and clasical.

Peteboypete -- 08/13/2004, 14:09:40 -- #6490
Blue Note records has been around for a long, long time and has had an incredible number of the greatest names in jazz record for them.  Palmetto records a lot of the jazz great current stars (Bobby Watson, Fred Hersch, etc...).  But there are tons of great record labels.  Some of them no longer exist, but their catalogs have been reissued on other labels (like Original Jazz Classics which releases things from Riverside and Prestige records, among others).

Copyright © 2005 by Scot Ranney. All rights reserved.
Click Here for more information about performances and clinics. Click Here to sign up for Scot's music announcements.