BlueNote's non-sax jazz recommendations (Top 5 starters)

[BlueNote]

The albums below contain no saxophone [solo] playing, but they are still important albums to own. These are just 5 of them that I would recommend you get if you are interested in buying non-saxophone recordings (which is essential). Each of these are great albums in developing sense of swing and/or spirituality in your playing. Yes, I do include vocals. They are just as important, if not MORE important than listnening to saxophonists in developing a personal voice on your instrument (voice is an instrument, too).

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Bill Evans Trio, Sunday At the Village Vanguard
-Telepathic trio; a jazz gem

Louis Armstrong, Hot Fives & Hot Sevens
-Every beginner should digest some of Satchmo's early work

Frank Sinatra, Fly Me to the Moon
-A master of swing

Diana Krall, Live in Paris
-Amazing modern vocalist with a killer rhythm section

Art Tatum, 20th Century Piano Genius
-Often called "God" by jazz musicians, Tatum was genious on the piano, and still is the most harmonically advanced pianist that ever graced the [jazz] piano.

[aennea]

Being genuinely curious here : why should you feel the need to be apologetic about including vocals ? I would have thought their relevance would go without saying. After all, voice has got to be THE instrument, it started it all.

[BlueNote]

Because I have met some saxophonists (more or less on the younger side) who either do not like vocalists and think that they're boring (and separating vocalists from instrumentalists, when in reality, singing is an instrument), or think that they have everything planned out by learning through horn players... and sometimes better yet, saxophonists alone.

However, I am beginning to notice that Sinatra is becoming more popular among the younger crowd, even from people don't even listen to jazz that often.

[Chris S]

Yeah, Frank is getting popular with the younger crowd, I think largely in part because of the popularity of Jamie Cullum, who someone heralded as 'the next Frank Sinatra.' While I do enjoy Jamie's music, and listen to it quite regularly.... I don't think he's any Blue Eyes.

Chris S

[ThomasK]

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[Dentarthurdent]

Excellent post BlueNote. Listening to vocalists is very important. Miles is quoted as saying that he learnt how to phrase by listening to Frank Sinatra. Enough said...

[Dentarthurdent]

By the way I recommend listening to Stacey Kent - an American now based in the UK (and married to british tenor man Jim Tomlinson). She has a very beautiful way of phrasing which is well worth close listening.

[sw3119]

The incredible guitar of Wes Montgomery

Duke Ellingtons 'Money Jungle'

Thelonious Monk 'Alone in San Fransisco'

Anything by Nina Simone

John McLaughlin With The Free Spirits
(great CD with Joey Defrancesco on Hammond)

Any thing by Wayne Krantz
(Live at the 55 Bar, or Long to be loose are great)

[Merlin]

Great non-sax jazz huh?

Clifford Brown with Strings
Bill Evans Trio - Explorations
Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain
Oscar Peterson Trio - Canadiana Suite

[BlueNote]

Look, these are MY (note "BlueNote's") recommendations. I started with 5, and those are 5 that I have and appreciate. I could list hundreds of albums to own, but I figured I'd start here. You're right, I didn't include Ella and Billie and Sarah... thanks for adding to it.

[Sorba]

Diana Krall, Live in Paris
-Amazing modern vocalist with a killer rhythm section
Got this one on dvd.
Anyone that thinks Krall is'nt the real thing should hear/see this. It's swinging, it's groovy, it's top class. I agree with Bluenote, this could be a top 5!

[ThomasK]

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[BlueNote]

A lot of people would still love her sexy, smokey voice.

Too much of the old vocalists gets dry after a while, honestly. I can only take so much Billie and Ella before I have to listen to some modern vocalists like Krall, Monheit, Kurt Elling, etc. to balance it out. Sure, I listen to the greats like Billie and Ella to digest the vocalists' ways, but for pleasure, Krall does it for me. And her rhythm section on the Live in Paris concert is amazing. Sometimes I just watch the DVD to watch Hamilton and Clayton, and that guitarist Anthony Wilson.

[ThomasK]

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[brutlix]

What if she were fat and ugly?

But she's not. ;)

[Tim Price]

Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus - AMAZING MUSIC!!!!

Idle Moments
~ Grant Green

The Sorcerer
~ Gabor Szabo

The Best of Chet Baker Sings
~ Chet Baker

'The Blanton-Webster Band' - of Ellington's

'The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 8'

'The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings' - Louie Armstrong

'The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol. 9 (1940-1942)' -

'The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books' - If you can afford it buy this box, if not start with the Cole Porter album and work your way up

'Ellington At Newport 1956' - :D ;)

'In the Wee Small Hours' Frank Sinatra

'The Tony Bennett-Bill Evans Album' - great romantic jazz album

'The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady' MINGUS

'Mingus Ah Um' Mingus.

'Maiden Voyage' Herbie Hancock

Anything by Jobim, anything by Ella , anything by Johnny Hartman. Find the Sinatra with the Hollywood string quartet....maybe as well Sinatra sings Jobim.

Plus this is what's in my Ipod now`

In a Silent Way by Miles

Matador by Grant Green

Open Sesame by Freddie Hubbard

[catseyeweb]

Yeah, Frank is getting popular with the younger crowd, I think largely in part because of the popularity of Jamie Cullum, who someone heralded as 'the next Frank Sinatra.' While I do enjoy Jamie's music, and listen to it quite regularly.... I don't think he's any Blue Eyes.

Chris S
Look at how Harry Connick, Jr. has been propelled into superstardome of late. Also, Sting and Rod Stewart have picked up the ball and had HUGE success with it. I find it all very interesting. I think some of it has to do with the current political and social climate we are in (ooops! I said "political"...)

[tophatsax]

The Best of Chet Baker Sings
~ Chet Baker

One of my all time favorites. Check out his versions of

"I Get Along Without You Very Well" and
"My Buddy"