Jazz Recommendations

Musicdok and others:

I, too, love Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown music. I think it made its mark on me as a kid watching the cartoons and I have listened to it during the holidays for years ever since.

I was a little embarrassed, however, when I "interviewed" with a jazz piano teacher who was a professor of jazz and musical composition in New York.

When inquiring about my goals and musical interests, he sneered dismissively at the mere mention of Vince Guaraldi --"That's NOT jazz...." At least I recovered slightly with my interest in Bill Evans. Dave Grusin, however, somewhere in between Vince Guaraldi and Britney Spears on his jazz rating scale.

So maybe someone can explain snobby, highbrow jazz to me and I can begin a more serious study there. I totally get Kind of Blue and might even say it has already changed my life. As I write, I am listening to Thelonius Monk Straight no Chaser on SACD which I also like.

Who are the other serious, hard core, jazz afficionados only, , double black diamond, graduate level, straight into the deep end guys?

Thank you.

I'll explain "snobby, highbrow jazz" to you, if you explain "snobby highbrow audio" to me.

Gents, and Ladies Charlie Haden is performing Aug 26 at Blue Note celebrating his 65th birthday so hurry-up to New York to hear him unrecorded i.e. live.

Sonny Rollins, Way out West... has dimensionality, pace, pop, feel and atmosphere to name but a few positives it gives off. Many of the inclusions are fabulous, however I feel this disc is vital. Enjoy!

Well, I would suggest picking up some live Bela Fleck. I have Live Art which is pretty good, though I miss the conitnuity of a complete live performance (for example, some songs have sax and the overall band lineup changes in general throughout the different songs). Though I haven't heard it, others have recommended the latest Live at the Quick to me, so that should be worth checking out.

BTW, another really good jazz band in the jamband scene is Galactic. They are probably the best show I've ever scene.