Jazz for aficionados

Forgetting about Wagner and getting back to the original title of this thread "Jazz for Aficionados" ..... How about 1959 ? In one year, four of arguably the most important albums in all of jazz history were released. Dave Brubeck's "Time Out," Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," Ornate Coleman's "The Shape of Jazz to Come," and Charles Mingus' "Mingus Ah Um." Oh man, what a year !! So come on boys and girls, pull out these records and treat yourselves to some amazing music. Truly, jazz for aficionados.

No one has to read posts of no interest to them.

Schubert .... I have no idea what you mean by your reply to my post.

Anyway ..... getting back to the OP's original query about "must have" jazz albums...... I was four years old by the end of 1959, so I certainly don't remember these albums when they were first released. However, when I got my first "real stereo" in 1981 (Yamaha receiver, B & O Beogram 3404 table, and Mission 717 speakers), my Dad told me it was time to learn about jazz. Sure, he understood my taste in music during my high school and college days of the 1970's, and often paid for my purchases of records by Dylan, the Dead, the Allman Brothers, CSN&Y, Loggins & Messina, the Beatles, the Stones, Deep Purple, Moody Blues, etc., etc. ..... but he said that now that I had a "really good stereo system," I should start listening to jazz.

He immediately bought me my first jazz record, an Illinois Jacquet album, and then told me about the "four great records" of 1959. So, it was with records like "Kind of Blue" and "Time Out" that started me on my long love affair with small ensemble acoustic jazz. I just turned 59, and although my system is better than it was in 1981, and my music collection has expanded to almost 2000 records and CD's, I'll never forget the first time the needle hit the groove on the classic jazz albums of 1959. I'm still loving those great tunes by Miles, Brubeck, Mingus and all the boys. Thanks a lot Dad !

Not released until 1960, but recorded mostly in 1959, Coltrane's "Giant Steps" would change everything

Incredible album Frogman .... I agree. Fantastic body of music ! I'm sure you're aware that, although "Giant Steps" was John Coltrane's debut recording for Atlantic Records as a group leader, he was concurrently performing and recording with Miles Davis. Did you know that within the space of less than three weeks, Coltrane would complete his work with Miles , Cannonball Adderly, Jimmy Cobb, and the rest of the boys on "Kind of Blue," before commencing his efforts on this one. Pretty awesome stuff !