i don't think your post ruffled any feathers. You received a lot of diverse suggestions from those responding and that is all to the good. If we misread what you were looking for, it is because it is quite hard to interpret your thread title. No one who dislikes something can be expected to be well versed in the subject, so people have been recommending things that you should sample to see if you like it. If, on the other hand, your interest were limited to the likes of Holly Cole, George Benson and Bill Frisell and Pat Methany, I did not read it that way; I thought you were also interested in expanding your search to find other things that you may like. If your search were just for things you are already inclined to like, you could use a streaming service which will suggest other music similar to what you say you like.
Can you recommend Jazz for some one that doesn't like Jazz?
Let me explain, I have tried to like jazz for over 30 years. I rarely find something I like. To me it sounds too disjointed, like everyone is trying to out do the others and they are all playing a different song. I know there has to be some good instrumental smooth jazz artists I am missing. If you have any suggestions of whom to try let me know. Some that are on my Jazz playlist is Pat Metheny-"It's for you" Bill Frisell _"Heard it through the grapevine" Holly Cole, George Benson... for an example of things I do like.
I'd love to have a 100 song Jazz playlist. So what'ch got for me?
Thanks
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As I mentioned before, you should start with a Blue Note compilation, such as "Best Blue Note Album in the World Ever" which is a two CD collection featuring many of their best artists. If you don't find three or four tracks in that collection that you really connect with and enjoy, then jazz might not be for you. |
I often find it unfathomable that certain artists and albums are disliked by a lot of people. I have a hard time trying to figure out why Eric Dolphy fits into the category of artist that some people truly don't like. I would put the Mal Waldron/Eric Dolphy/Booker Evans "The Quest" album very high on a starter list for a jazz collection. I cannot think of too may cuts more beautiful than "Warm Canto." |
@stuartk look up that recording if you have a streaming service and you will understand-it's a cover but with quite a twist. Definitely Jazz!
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Yes. I’ve recommended music plenty of times to friends. Sometimes, they’re enthusiastic; other times, they show surprisingly (to me) little enthusiasm. There’s a lot that goes into our preferences and while we may be able to come up with objective rationales, I believe much of what drives them is unconscious. Much as I’ve tried, I’ve never been able to handle Gato’s abrasive screeching. It’s like fingernails on a blackboard to my ears. On the other hand, there are other sax players whose altissimo overblowing doesn’t affect me in the same way. Why? Who knows?
Now I’m really confused. When you bring up Aerosmith in a thread that’s ostensibly about Jazz, you’ve lost me! One of the main differences between Rock and Jazz is the latter's harmonic sophistication. Perhaps this is the stumbling block for you-- you can't actually hear what's going on. This would definitely make it difficult to appreciate Jazz.
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I like the MJQ recommendations made above, but, they may not be as accessible as the "Time Out' recommendation. Still, it is hard to say what will connect with any one listener. I had a friend who I lent some jazz CDs to as an introduction. Just as a joke, I included Coltrane's "Interstellar Space" and it turned out to be the album he most liked. I also like the suggest Samba recordings. There is a lot of interesting South American jazz worth exploring. I recommend Gato Barbieri's "Latin America: Chapter 1." The track named "India" is a good track to sample. |
The Modern Jazz Quartet 'Pyramid' or 'the last concert', but just about all their stuff is good. I find they have some structure in their compositions and since you said you don't like disjointed; this may well be your cuppa.. The Dave Brubeck 'Tine out' suggestion is also in this vein, I believe the general category for this type of jazz is California Cool. |
Stuartk did an excellent job describing improvisation in jazz. It is a lot of fun following how the ensemble weaves its way through a tune, particularly where that tune seems almost, but not totally, unrecognizable. I suggest listening to Lester bowie’s outrageous, joyous and silly romp through the song “The Great Pretender.” Even where it seems to have devolved into noise, you can still hear the tune and enjoy what the band is doing. |
Thanks for the positive feedback from those who found my comments helpful. There is of course, much more to Jazz than I mentioned! I'd advise anyone who wants to explore Jazz to get a copy of the All Music Guide to Jazz which does a good job of describing the various sub-genres and movements of this great American art-form. It also offers reviews and recommendations. You could also, as has been suggested, watch the Ken Burns series. Just be aware that he spends much of his time discussing early Jazz and then rushes through later movements and developments. It's still worthwhile despite its lopsided focus.
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In my collection, many of the best sounding recordings happen to be of jazz. The following is a list of some of these outstanding recordings: Armstrong: "Satchmo Plays King Oliver" (early stereo, but not surpassed in sound quality). Ellington: "Blues in Orbit" (again late 1950's stereo recording that is amazingly good. I use an original issue, six-eye Columbia recording to demonstrate how little recording arts have advanced) Brubeck: "Time Out" (original six-eye Columbia that sounds better than reissues) Clark Terry "Alternate Blues" (a reissue from Classic Records, I believe, that is extemely dynamic) Yamamoto Trio: "Midnight Sugar" (Japanese Three Blind Mice record. ANY TBM record will sound fantastic; CD is decent, but not as good) Great Jazz Trio: "Direct from L.A." (original East Wind (Japanese) label album. The CD reissues are decent, but, not as dynamic as the original). Bill Berry Allstars: "For Duke" (a direct to disc album from M&K records. Any other M&K direct to disc record will also sound good, such as "Fatha") Oliver Nelson: "Blues and the Abstract Truth" (many different reissues and they all sound quite good) Rollins: "Saxophone Colossus" (one of the great recordings for music and sound quality; I use it to demonstrate how good MONO can sound)
Modern digital recordings also do a great job with jazz. I offer two samples: Anour Brahem: "Thimar" Stefano Battaglia; "Re Pasolini"
I don't usually think of vocal works as jazz. To me it is its own genre and there are MANY great sounding recordings. I will only offer one example of a top singer playing with a first rate jazz orchestra: Ella Fitzgerald and Marty Paich: "Whisper Not" |
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@fthompson251 I have been of a similar mindset, but have recently been able to appreciate some jazz offerings. What got me "primed" to be more open minded about this genre was listening to Internet Radio Station Jazz 24 out of Seattle. I have it programmed into my receiver as a favorite station and would have it on often for awhile as background music, or just while doing some other work tasks at my desk. Some of the music was quite striking and interesting to listen to, so I branched out from there. https://www.jazz24.org/ on the web but you can also search for them on my Internet Radio apps on your streamer. I liked them enough I contributed to their annual fund. |
If you have an interest in jazz contemporary jazz, there is an interesting series put out by ECM called "rarum" where their artists choose the tracks they want to include in their compilation, the order they want the tracks presented, and write the liner notes for the albums. Artist include the likes of Tomasz Stanko, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek and Chick Corea. Another thing to look into is international stars that use traditional, non-European instruments in Jazz compositions. For example, Anour Brahem plays the oud, a North African string instrument in some very beautiful albums like "Thimar," "the Astounding Eyes of Rita," and "Blue Maqams." Another oud player, Rabih Abou-Khalil fuses Arabic and jazz and has produced a terrific album called "The Blue Camel" (If you can find the original LP, get it not only for the music and terrific recording quality, but also because the jacket is incredibly pretty). |
There are various compilations of the "Best of Blue Note." This is one of the best ways to get into jazz--all of the selections are important pieces, accessible, yet much more than easy listening pablum. You can then branch out based on which of the selections you find most enjoyable. If I had to pick a single artist that I think almost everyone would like, it would be Mingus. Any of his iconic albums would have something that a jazz listener should like. The same probably could be said of Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet. Some of the other giants, like Coltrane, Monk, Davis, Gillespie, Dolphy, Hancock, Nelson are also reasonably accessible and at least some of their works should be well liked by any listener. It might take a bit more listening for most listeners to enjoy the likes of Coleman and Roland Kirk, but that is part of the learning process. |
• Some jazz can be annoying because it defys logic, order, and musicality. Some jazz is random hysterical chaos. |
You might think about which musical instruments you are generally drawn to and go from there. for example, if you really like guitar, try Grant Green. if you really like saxophone, try Ben Webster if you really like piano try nat “King” Cole or Chick Corea I suspect you will find something pleasing if you give that a try. And by all means listen to jazz at the pawn shop. Hard not to find something likable there |
I bought the original Proprius release of "Jazz at the Pawnshop." I listened to it once and have never played it again. The recording IS VERY GOOD and captures the feel of a live club sound. But the style (sort of European swing) and performance was, for my taste, bland and uninteresting so I've not bothered to hear it again. It is still in my collection, as I never get rid of anything. |
@stuartk "Swiss Movement" Yes.Thx..Ah the wonders of the brain. Maybe I was "Trying to make it real compared to what."
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Good! ;-) Now try Ben Webster at the Renaissance. Another great live recording, captured on an improvised early stereo setup by Webster's record producer. There have been some excellent comments about the nature of jazz and what to listen for. I'm a somewhat conservative fan. I like it when I can: 1) Recognize the tune, or at least the chord changes, which are typically based on a standard tune, like "I Got Rhythm" or "How High the Moon" or something like that. Certain sets of "changes" can be inspiring for the soloist and allow him or her to create interesting and memorable improvisations. 2) Tap my foot! Whether it's a ballad or an up-tempo number, the rhythm section really has to swing. I'm not knocking other approaches to jazz, but I do like to be moved to dance around the room a bit. ;-) It's worth bearing in mind that many, many fine jazz albums of the '50's and '60's were geared toward people having cocktails and dancing in their homes. It was hard to sell a record you couldn't dance to! |
As someone suggested I listened to "Jazz at the Pawnshop" on Qubuz by Aren Domnerus. I made it through!
There is an overwhelming about of infor mation on the thread, I can refer back ot it but this is a lot. Thanks to everyone. I've added about 15-20 songs to my Jazz playlist so far. What I do is use the qubuz web player keeping the window open and go through the suggestions on here from another window, then add those I like to the playlist after I listen. I use headphone fo that. All this takes time. |
Welcome to the Club! I have tried to like Jazz for decades, as well, including a dozen deliberate weeks of "maybe this time", "maybe this group". During the journey, I have found a few very good performers, but mostly duds. Listening to 'giants' (Monk, Coltrane, Davis, etc.) was, mostly, painful. I wish I could have these hours back... With that perspective - I have some recommendations of Jazz performances that I truly enjoy and may be unique. Getz/Jocbin Boots Randolf Henry James Lenny Marcus - great Jazz transcriptions of Beethoven, plus some new pieces Benny Goodman Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey Most of the Windham Hill artists - Montreux, Barbra Higbe, Daryl Anger, Michael Manring, Alex de Grassi, some Shadowfax, etc. LA4
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I think that a big reason for the popularity of "jazz fusion" was because it felt somewhat familiar to rock music fans, yet it also represented a new avenue to explore. So, if "familiarity" is what you're looking for than your mention of Holly Cole might be important, since she tends to cover some well known songs that you are probably already familiar with. If jazz vocalists are a priority, I'd add Michael Franks to your list. |
I'm in the same boat. Most jazz is just too busy and complex for me to enjoy. I like jazz ballads best. Simple and soulful music is my thing. Like you, I found Bill Frissell and Pat Matheny to be the most listenable. While both do their share of "complex" stuff, much of their work is more accessible to me. Stanley Turrentine has an album of ballads I like a lot. Bottom line for me is "do I feel it". Most jazz feels emotionless to me. It's music for musicians.
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I often peruse posts like this and liten to many of the recommendations. So thanks all. “Swiss Time” by Les McCann & Eddie Harris “The Girl From Ipanema” by Getz/Gilberto And a Jazz piano sampler http://open.qobuz.com/playlist/16555554 |