Can you recommend Jazz for some one that doesn't like Jazz?

Flimm and the BB’s. Can’t miss!!

@2psyop 

Tones and rhythm are probably not enough if one doesn't grasp the significance of the notes being played. This seems to be a major stumbling block for those who do not like Jazz. It apparently sounds like a random jumble of unrelated notes, rather than a cogent expression utilizing a recognizable language. It's difficult to become addicted to something that one experiences as inherently off-putting.

 

 

I think one must really like to listen and appreciate the sound of instruments to begin to like Jazz. Take saxophone for instance. Once the listener starts to engage with the tones and rhythm of a really good saxophone player, it gets addictive to an extent. Then the style of the player begins to emerge. Illinois Jacquet is one of my favorite players. Even vocalists will use their voice like they are playing a jazz instrument. Ella Fitzgerald is a good example. Try her album with Louis Armstrong “Ella and Louis”. If you listen to jazz that seems disjointed, think of the artists conducted an experiment like a scientist. Great Jazz artists usually dislike conventional ways of playing. If you are having trouble, start with an artist who has branched across genres, like Ray Charles, try “Soul Brothers”. For a more modern player, try Boney James, Cecil Mclorin Salvant or Diana Krall. Good luck.

Glad you like Madeleine.  I didn't know she's from Athens either. So thanks for that. 

@rwwear

Thanks for introducing me/us to Madeleine Peyroux. All this time I thought she was a French Parisian singer because the youtube algorithm gave me this tune sung in French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2m_3OQtFNc Turns out she’s from Athens Georgia, USA! She has a playful and at the same time haunting voice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7UlbMu4eew&list=PLf-ZSfxxZo5nZinA-dz9bsm5fMdIm_BWf&index=1

 

my suggestion is start listening to the smooth jazz stations on your radio, after a while you will hear certain musicians that you really like, follow them, for example I learned I really liked Sade, never heard of her until i listened to the smooth jazz station, I suggest you do that. 

Let's Get Acquainted with Jazz (For People Who Hate Jazz) 

https://youtu.be/xEzdyTBRmJw?feature=shared

I am also not a traditional jazz fan, but I do like groups/people like Bob James, Weather Report, and Spyro Gyra.

I really like Grand Piano Canyon by Bob James. I'm not a big fan of jazz either. One of my first jazz albums was one by Grover Washington Jr "A Secret Place" and I still listen to it. Every musician on it is top tier. 

A particularly good Windham Hill album is Michael Hedges’ “Arial Boundaries” a terrific acoustic guitar album with extremely good sound on top of great music.

The album "Chet" from Chet Baker...

Or any album of pianist Bill Evans will do the job...

if one of these 2 dont work, try French Flemish school of choral music , Obrecht "Missa super maria zart", stunning...Almost jazz because of ascendent  rythm

I was introduced to jazz in the 70s with Windham Hill artists, like George Winston, William Ackerman, etc. Then I added many of the artists mentioned above. 

Great start!

@acman3

I wonder if the OP realizes you’re joking. . .

You ARE joking, right? 

☺️

I would just jump in with later John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders playing' Live in Japan'. By the end of the record if your brain is not completely rewired, play it again. If after several days, this transformation has not happened, call your wife and tell her it is safe to return home, and just listen to something else.

@mooncrikit really good list, I've got some of those also, but I'm gonna check out the ones you listed I don't have or I'm not as familiar.  The contemporary Jazz genre is something I've really enjoyed exploring into.  Another one I'm sure you've heard of, Keiko Matsui, she's become one of my favorites in this genre. 

 

 

Mose Allison. He was a songwriter/singer/pianist whose fans include the likes of Pete Townshend. His style was mix of Jazz and Blues, and he had a very distinctive sound and feel.

 

@devinplombier 

 

Yes, it gives me great joy when my adult sons put on an album and say, "I remember when you turned me on to this, Pops!"  Be it Led Zep, Neil Young, Talk Talk, Psychedelic Furs, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Bowie, Queen, Soup...the list is endless.  They've already started calling dibs on who gets which system and which albums.  That's better than hearing a lot of old farts like me on here saying no family member is interested!

So glad to discover another GY!BE fan.  I'll never forget seeing "28 Days Later" in the movie theater and realizing Godspeed was part of the soundtrack.   I didn't have any other friends who had heard "F♯ A♯ ∞". 

Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Shack Man. 

@allenf1963 

Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven is fantastic. I got it some 20 years ago, my first GYBE album. Later I put it on my son's musical radar, because that's what dads do :)

Sorry about the cancellation, hope you catch them next spring.

All, jazz is such a broad and inclusive music genre, isn't post-rock like part of it? Almost? Apologies for the hijack and thanks for the great recommendations :)

 

@devinplombier -- My GY!BE show on Nov. 17th in NC was postponed. One of the founding members, Efrim Menuck, became ill, causing them to cancel the shows in Nashville, Knoxville, and Atlanta. The night before my show was supposed to happen, they attempted to play Charleston, SC, but quit after about 70 minutes. I got an email the morning of my show saying it was off. Alan Sparhawk (of the fabulous band Low) played his set as a "pay what you can". GY!BE postponed all remaining shows except for the last 2 -- in their hometown of Montreal. I opted to keep my tickets to be used when they reschedule hopefully in the Spring.

 

If you ever get a chance to see them live...do it. It is an experience you’ll never forget. At their shows, I feel like I enter a trance -- the sound and visual effects are reminiscent of 1960’s Pink Floyd concerts. Every album is a must listen, but this is a great start: "Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven"

 

https://youtu.be/JMDmaUO4hno?si=swE9zM25Si-S33dT

 

I also heard BIG|BRAVE was wonderful at those Montreal shows. I did a deep dive as well.

 

@allenf1963 

Funny you mention GYBE, my kid just caught them live in Montreal. He loved it. He texted me he loved opening act BIG|BRAVE too, so I took a delve and I liked what I heard a lot. Reminds me of an Acid King / Melvins mashup, if that makes any sense. Interestingly they started off as an acoustic folk act. Here is one song I like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1S-xH_3-qQ

Thanks for the tip on Gift, I'll check them out

@tyray

Now Stevie Wonder, after his albums Talking Book, Music of My Mind and Innervisions to me he and his music were uncategorizable and completely Transcendental.

I think of S. Wonder generally as R&B infused with Jazz harmonies. But, as he’s not only unique but also a genius, he’s in his own category! I love those 70’s recordings, too. 

@devinplombier -- You are very welcome my friend.  I hope you enjoy Bohren as much as I do.  Listen to their entire catalog, it is a wonderful treat.  Watch their multiple live YouTube videos -- I'd love to catch them live, their shows look surreal.  Like a "quiet version" of a Godspeed You! Black Emperor concert 😆!

 

I believe  "Shoegaze Jazz" is a perfect description of Bohren.  If you like Shoegaze rock, I'd suggest a new band from NYC called Gift.  The keyboardist went to High School with my youngest son.  They have released 2 very good albums.

 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mtQMJsQuuxSQnnUdfVmQJF9aK3QBL4Xz4&si=7LWTFQ_1PRTtIOoR

I second most of @gfguillot recommendations in the smooth/ contemporary genre with a many more tasty morsels listed below...

The Rippingtons- Curves Ahead

Acoustic Alchemy -Red Dust & Spanish Lace/ (all albums are great)

Special EFX -Double Feature/Global Village

Warren Hill

Earl Klugh

Steve Cole

Larry Carlton- Discovery

Norman Brown- After The Storm

Gregg Karukas ...any album

Tim Bowman-"Sweet Sundays" (killer kut!)

Brian Simpson...any album

Joyce Cooling...any album

David Benoit- Freedom at Midnight

Brian Savage

GOTA - It's so different here

Kim Pensyl- Pensyl Sketches

Jeff Lorber

Freddie Ravel

Four80East

FATTBURGER- Good News "The Doctor"

Chuck Loeb

Paul Jackson Jr.

Peter White

Jeff Kashiwa -Hyde Park

NILS

ThreeStyle

Tom Grant -Mango Tango

Jonathan Butler

Alex Bugnon

Bobby Lyle - Tropical

Chieli Minucci

Dan Siegel

Dave Grusin

Michael Lington

U-Nam

And soo many others just ask...Enjoy! from MoonCrikit

And for a killer visual experience, try on YouTube...

Brian Culbertson feat Michael Lington Full Concert Jazz Burghausen 2004 

3.2K views7 months ago

Jazz Fusion Funk&Soul

 

Why not start at the beginning?  What have you heard that you like?  What have you heard that you don’t like?  This way, you may receive better targeted and more valuable responses; make sense?

To appreciate and like jazz one has to understand, and more importantly, "HEAR and PROCESS" the chord structures and chord progressions.  Without that ability, jazz sounds like a lot of unstructured notes randomly put together.  The term Jazz was coined in the late 19th century based on the music genre originated from New Orleans but classical composers like Bach and Mozart could have been called the jazz musicians in their days.  Just listen to any classical performance that is called "Variations on a theme by ...." and if you can make out the melody on each variation then you can "hear" jazz. Jazz has evolved into many forms but if you give the chord progression of a song to a group of jazz musicians they can play together based on it without needing to know what song they are playing.  Each musician can take turn improvising using that progression while the others provide support based on the same.  If you can hear when one of them stray from the progression then you can "hear" jazz.  If you can't chances are you won't like jazz.  Some of these chords and progressions can be very complex. Brazilian jazz has very weird chords and you have to be able to recognize them when you hear them. Most popular music has simpler chords and progressions with an easily recognized melody. 

Here are some Jazz playlists any one of you can use or cull from. (A while back I tired to start a playlist Qobuz Playlists Exchange but it fizzled..much updating to those lists now anyway) For stepping into Jazz, Sonny Stitt and Art Pepper are easy entry giants to listen to. "Cleveland blues" By Sonny Stitt and "Patricia" by Art Pepper have rocked my world for decades.

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329909

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329915

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329919

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329923

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329930

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329935

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329940

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329941

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329942

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329943

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329944

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329946

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329945

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329947

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329948

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329949

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/8893054

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2329951

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/3213225

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/3340452

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/3463023

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/3480249

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/3546345

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5339546

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5543617

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/6387584

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/6641277

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/7172436

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/8018652

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/9578285

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/9783006

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/11059042

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/12345073

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/12893162

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/13234132

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/13900631

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/15434064

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/15947438

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/16262535

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/16447242

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/17003464

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/17644214

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/19134843

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/21732983

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/21733004

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2332249

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/8772427

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/16555554

I’d love to have a 100 song Jazz playlist. So what’ch got for me?

You got your 100 songs yet? If you already have that many jazz cd’s, one of them must be Dave Brubeck- Time out.

You’re right- it ended up being a great thread- there are plenty of names I haven’t heard of before in this list, need to make note of these and check them out.

Not sure what your streaming options are OP but the wonderful thing about Roon Radio is you play one song you find that floats your boat, and it plays other tracks similar to it, with the same music "style" and as a result you discover wonderful new tunes you never knew existed, similar to reading threads like this.

Hope your favourite teams won yesterday. 

To clear the air, I have not been trying to like Jazz for 30+ years, I am coming back to try and learn what I like because I have a great system and a lot more time. (I rebuilt my Audio System from my 15 years absence from it because life had other ideas.)  I want to explore new music now. @howardlee You are absolutely correct, my head is spinning with all the suggestions it is absolutely overwhelming. I realized 2 days ago I have 75-100 Jazz CD’s on the bottom shelf of my collection. I collected Jazz when I was in my 30’s (I am 70 now) that I can play and research what floated my boat long ago. I have many from the suggestions on the 4 pages of this thread so far. It’s nice to hear others have the same question as I, I am not alone here. Jazz lovers sure a passionate group! Happy Holidays to all.

@allenf1963

I am not really a fan of jazz either, although I’ve been known to dabble in the ambient / French / Brazilian subgenres

I just wanted to say thanks for recommending Bohren & der Club of Gore. I hadn’t heard of them but I am really liking their music so far.

I am really enjoying the LP I’m listening to right now (Dolores). Now, to be honest, I’m not sure I would call it "jazz". Shoegaze jazz? Just made that up

As a bonus, it is a great record for testing the sonic abilities of your amps and speakers.

Thanks again!

 

@stuartk Thanks for the clarity as I really don’t know that much about The Dead.

All I know about the Dead is their fan base showed levels of Devotion unseen by any other ensemble I’ve ever seen and the little I did happen to hear was to me kinda organic before the term was ever coined.

Now Stevie Wonder, after his albums Talking Book, Music of My Mind and Innervisions to me he and his music were uncategorizable and completely Transcendental. You could go on and on for a lifetime trying to explain his music. Words just don't cut it.

 

Venus Records I meant.

@tyray 

During the mid 70's, the Dead displayed a Jazz influence insofar as incorporating chord changes beyond triads and modal improvisation. Odd time signatures were already part of their approach. But so did many many artists at that time. None were playing Jazz, as I see it.

I'd say Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder were on a whole other level in this regard.

Others may disagree. 

This is easy because I’m not a big fan of pure Jazz or traditional Jazz, but I love Smooth Jazz or Contempary Jazz of the 80’s and 90’s. Here’s some artists to start with that won’t disappoint. Fourplay, Boney James, Richard Elliot, Hiroshima, Bob James, Rick Brawn, The Rippentons, Lee Ritnour, Soul Ballet, 3rd Force, Randy Crawford, Brian Culberson, Peter White, Larry Carlton, Art Porter, Paul Taylor, Herb Albert, David Sanborn, Dave Koz, and Russ Freeman. There’s many more, but AVOID Kenny G...

If you want a few select albums that knock your socks off... The Rippentons LIVE Across America, Boney James - BackBone and Fourplay Fourplay (debut abum). If you like either of these 3 albums then you’ll be hooked and want more.

 

Atlanta's Jazz Station--Classic, Cool, Contemporary

https://www.wclk.com/

Clark Atlanta University WCLK 91.9

Just click the button at the top left for music or stream.

@tyray

You’re right-- it was Otis Redding! My bad.

From interview:

I remember one day down in Muscle Shoals, I figured I’d been there long enough, so I asked Duane Allman, "Man, tell me something, why do you want to have two drummers?" And he said, "Because Otis Redding and James Brown had two drummers." So I didn’t ask him anything else, I said something like, "Well, that’s cool, because I was one of the drummers with Otis."

 

 

@stuartk,

I think you have ’Jaimoe’ aka John Lee Johnson aka Jai Johanny Johanson who was a drummer with the Allman Brothers with ’Jabo’ John Starks who was a drummer with James Brown. But James Brown did spend a lot time in Macon, GA which is where Capricorn Records was and was the recording company for the Allman Brothers. But I wouldn’t be surprised if James Brown tried to steal him from Greg and Duane and ’Jaimoe’ said no because James Brown was known not to pay his band at times..

I never thought of the dead a ’jazz’ type band but that makes sense cause if I’m not mistaken their shows were very improvisational.

@ezwind

Yes, the Dead’s jazz influences don’t show up as consistently as with the ABB, probably because their music encompasses a lot more different musical styles and genres. But you can certainly hear it in songs like Eyes of the World, Bird Song, Crazy Fingers, and some versions of Dark Star. And the band would swing a lot more when Kreutzmann was the sole drummer for a few years in the early 70s.

Sure. I don’t contest any of the above. Comparing the Allmans to Jerry and the boys, I meant, overall. I much prefer Kreutzmann on his own. IMHO, he didn’t need any help!  Like Mitch Mitchell, he has a "slippery" feel. I prefer this approach to heavy handed "bashers".  

 

Yes I can understand you ,years ago ,I worked 11 pm to 8 am at the old PO.and the guy at the desk would play Free Form Jazz....I hated it...just blasting  note without any form of music ,Terrible....But you need other stuff... Older jazz Like  Chat Baker,Gerry Mulligan,The Rippingtons.Thats a good start, it's music,with form,classic songs....Enjoy my  Man and  have a Great Christmas....

Yeah, numerous Mose Allison comments, he was a gem... moody, quirky sprinkled with humour throughout

The Mose Chronicles v2 in London* is not to be misses 

Maybe start by process of elimination, or simplify your selection process.  Given the wide range of musical styles referred to as JAZZ, start by identifying what appeals to you musically then choose artists that fit. For me, not really into big band, Dixieland, fusion, or experimental styles.  Jazz guitar, piano, saxophone, female vocals in smaller groups or ensembles are more my style.  Maybe call it more ‘traditional’ jazz.  Several artists listed in this thread fill my somewhat limited collection, meet my criteria, and I really enjoy during repeat sessions.  FWIW, several have passed but left prodigious musical  legacies.  The musical prowess and technical proficiency of the greats make most rock musicians sound like amateurs by comparison, IMHO. 

Wow. If I were a guy who didn't know much about jazz and I asked that original question these responses, put together, would have left my head spinning!  Humor aside, if you like Mose Allison, you're pretty much already there.  

Watch the Ken Burns series, "Jazz" on PBS.  That may go a long way in clarifying your understanding of jazz.  My mom took me to hear Armstrong when I was 10 (1952), and he sold me on jazz immediately.  The Hot 5 and Hot 7 records virtually defined the direction of jazz (and, to a degree, pop and rock, and even Broadway) for decades.  Listen to those recordings a number of times, and pick out a different instrument to follow each time you listen.  Finally, take in the numbers as a whole.  Armstrong said they did not improvise--everything they did was planned--variations on themes,  Also, pick up the Willie Humphrey performance of "My Blue Heaven" on YouTube.  His extended clarinet solo there is a model of elegance.  For utter abandon, find the YouTube recording, "Ice Cream," by the December Band in 1965.  John Handy's extended sax solo in the middle of the piece will have you shaking your head just as a few members of the band were doing.  Finally, pick up a few of Tuba Skinny's long sessions on YouTube, and if you get a chance, hear them live.  Their vocalist, Erika Lewis, will  make you cry. They are preserving traditional jazz as well as any group in the world.   

As an old rocker myself I recommend:

Archie Shepp

Return to Forever / "Romantic Warrior"

Clarke, DiMeola, Ponty / "Rite of Strings"

Madeleine Peyroux

Mahavishnu Orchestra - fusion

Vince Guaraldi / "Oaxaca"

Isao Suzuki / "Blow Up" (preferably on 45rpm vinyl)

Patricia Barber

Brian Bromberg / "Brombo!"

Linda Ronstadt / "What's New" "Lush Life" etc

Chris Botti / "To Love Again - The Duets"

Passport / "Hand Made" "Cross-Collateral" "Infinity Machine" - fusion

Pierre Moerlen's Gong - All are good to great - fusion

John Whitney / "Classical Jazz"

Lenny White / "Venusian Summer" - fusion

Melody Gardot

Ponta Box / "Modern Juzz"

I would also look at some of the various samplers to get an idea of the artists you prefer. Some that come to mind are from Marantz, Burmester, Vevus Records

Jeff Beck - Wired or Blow By Blow

Larry Coryell - The Lift

Jeff Beck

Steely Dan simply ear candy

Cannonball Adderly - Something Else

Beastie Boys - Check Your Head... In 3's

Sonny Rollins - Way Out West

Joshua Redman - Spirit Of The Moment @ The Village Vanguard

My music library is vast with 20% covering Jazz, so much to discover and I have only scratched the surface.

What To Listen For In Jazz - book includes a CD... my copy is 30 years old and looks like it has been carried by a student for 3 days... good condition.  Let me know where to ship and I will get you your cost.

OP.."I have tried to like jazz for over 30 years"... Over 30 years of trying is a hint that jazz is not your thing... My advice is to move on brother and explore other music. So much music out there to enjoy.

@garrettc

Got it. I think I’m the one who owes you an apology for jumping to conclusions!

BTW, I enjoy lyrical Jazz, too. As an example, as I type this, I’m basking in the lyrical beauty of Mr. Stan Getz. The album is "Bossas and Ballads".

@theskipperthree

I’ve had the same experience. People have said "you actually like this?" and "It sounds like they’re playing two or three songs at once". Clearly, not all music is for everyone but which factors come into play in any given case can be difficult to pin down.