Jazz is the music of philosophers, of music theory savants, of mystical and singular musicians. It’s syncopations so laid back they threaten to fall over backwards and tangy chromatic runs that float like a pad of butter in a hot pan. It’s America. It’s smoky rooms. It’s passion and years of practice and improvisational art rolled into one. It’s also intimidating as hell for newcomers.
Once you get the snappy attire and a good pack of cigarettes, you’ve still got to address this fact: for a genre that’s been around about 100 years, jazz has an insanely dense catalog of great music ranging from big-band swing to fusion to bebop to Dixieland. There’s no better way to learn than diving in — it’ll become quickly apparent what moves you. The following ten albums should get you started. They represent a broad range of styles and eras in jazz without getting too technical or crazy. This is just the beginning. Read up, get out and listen to live music in order to cultivate your passion. But first, start your collection off right.
The Essentials, Humbly
Blue Train – John Coltrane, 1957
Coltrane’s second solo album is damn timeless. Though in the era’s style of “hard bop”, it showcases the beginnings of Trane’s innovative harmonies and cord cycles.
