Help me build up a jazz album collection. Can you suggest a must have album?

You should attend Axpona next month and spend some time in Expo Hall and Record Fair. I usually spend hours there talking with local and national dealers about new music and sounds. Very educational. I have purchased new music on the advice of Chesky records, Music Direct, Acoustic Sounds and many others.

Check out the dealers attending Axpona

Try Duke Robillard, Smooth.  While he is better known for Blues, this is a great album.

The Modern Jazz Quartet. "The Last Concert" live at Carnegie Hall.  It was the first jazz record I ever bought on recommendation from Stereo Review c. 1974.  I still have it, play it often, and get something new out of it every time.

Ellington's small group performances on "Money Jungle," and "The Intimate Ellington."  The combo on "Money Jungle consists of Ellington, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach.  How cool is that?

For big band jazz anything by Duke and Count Basie, but a special favorite is the three record set of Linda Ronstadt singing from the great American songbook, "'Round Midnight."  Nelson Riddle orchestrated the whole shebang and led his orchestra.  Is it jazz?  It'll do 'til the real thing comes along, to paraphrase Patricia Barber.  Her "Live, A Fortnight in France" is also a fine album.

I would also add Smokin' at the Half Note by the Wynton Kelly Trio with Wes Montgomery, as my favorite Wes album.  Give the guitarists some.

Just buy every Bill Evans album and buy everything Oscar Peterson ...