Jazz for aficionados

Ok rok, you are taking some historical observations and trying to twist my words. Please dont. The history of the blues is easy to trace but difficult to categorize. There can be little objective doubt that the blues was a manifestation of the unique circumstances of the artists when combined with their environment. I certainly intended no offense to African Americans as you allude to, which was unwelcome amd unfair.

I was basically trying to point out that most important musical innovations were heavily influenced by the social environment of the times, positive or negative.

I don't know if this one is jazz but 'The Complete Bessie Smith Recordings'
The 'Louis Armstrong plays W.C. Handy' Remaster
The Japanese remaster of 'Introducing Lee Morgan'
Dave Douglas 'Soul on Soul'
Hugh Ragin 'An Afternoon In Harlem'
Paul Bley 'Not Two Not One'
Bill Evans 'Waltz for Debbie"
Shirley Horn with Strings 'Here's To Life'
Keith Jarrett 'Inside Out'
Keith Jarrett 'The Köln Concert' (though my attention span isn't what it once was)
Modern Jazz Quartet 'Dedicated to Connie'
John Lewis 'Evolution II'
Sweet Emma (the bell gal) and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band

OK, How Do I Choose from the Duke Ellington raisonne'?

Regarding why I think the way I do: I've been a professional musician since the late 60s (only mentioned for historical perspective). I've actually seen Monk (opening for Peter Paul and Mary at the Hollywood Bowl...I was maybe 12!)...and Joe Lovano was in John Scofield's band when I first saw Scofield...saw "Us 5" last year...I'm wonderful! (according to my daughter and my girlfriend, but that's about it) I'm a guitar player but not a jazz player particularly (because I'm also not very smart), and listen to Mehldau right along with Bill Evans, although not simultaneously, as that would be disturbing. I'm at the point in my geezerdom that I don't care much about what people DON'T like unless they agree with me 100%, but I absolutely, positively, know that there are musicians playing now that are as great as anybody ever was. Not the same people...but so what? That's how art works. Is Peter Washington better than Scott LaFaro? I happen to enjoy both. I spent a recent 9 years straight doing live sound (still do that here and there) mixing/recording for a couple of different "Coffee House" concert series and was humbled, enthralled, and blown away by some people in that "unpopular music business" who most will never hear. The best of those, along with the best of the rest, are timeless world class musicians. I'm also lucky.

In respnse to that last asshat post...oh...wait...that was me...anyway...after working on an amazing concert by the Jeremy Pelt Quintet (man...) recently, a well regarded veteran jazz pro sax player I know said after the show, "Miles was better." Utterly meaningless and classic...I love that stuff.