 | Jelly Roll Morton: 1926-1930 by Jelly Roll Morton
Buy new: $25.99 / Used from: $23.44 Jelly Roll Morton claimed to be the "inventor" of jazz, and while many have disputed that, he nonetheless added much to its early years.
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 | The Hot Fives & Sevens by Louis Armstrong
Buy new: $25.99 / Used from: $18.00 These classic tracks are a must-have. Energetic and creative, each is a masterpiece. This JSP box set offers the best sound quality.
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 | Felix the Cat by Bix Beiderbecke
Buy used from: $19.93 Every jazz fan should have the complete "Bix Restored" series, but those are pricey. This inexpensive single CD Bix sampler is decent.
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 | Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 1: Singin' the Blues by Bix Beiderbecke
Buy used from: $2.43 In addition to the Bix set above, this one offers more not-to-be-missed classics. The sound, while not as clear as "Bix Restored," is listenable.
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 | Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 2: At the Jazz Band Ball by Bix Beiderbecke
Buy used from: $2.96 For those hungry for more Bix, this is a good set as well.
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 | The OKeh Ellington by Duke Ellington
Buy new: $15.93 / Used from: $6.89 Regardlewss of what others say, this to me is Ellington at his prime. Creative, lively, but still enjoyable.
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 | The Complete Original Dixieland Jazz Band by Original Dixieland Jazz Band
Buy used from: $19.39 The ODJB is credited with making the first "Jass" records early in 1917. This set presents their complete Victor output.
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 | Jazz the World Forgot, Vol. 1: Jazz Classics of the 1920's by Various Artists
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $7.90 Excellent quality transfers and rare, but hot, 1920s jazz recordings make this a must-have for the early jazz fan.
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 | Jazz the World Forgot, Vol. 2 by Various Artists
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $7.50 Volume Two of this set from Yazoo is every bit as good as the first.
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 | The Very Best of Fats Waller by Fats Waller
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $3.25 Fats Waller, the celebrated stride pianist, is heard in tracks spanning most of his career.
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 | Off The Record: The Complete 1923 Jazz Band Recordings by King Oliver
Buy new: $33.99 / Used from: $24.25 King Oliver's most important recordings, with a young Louis Armstrong. These legendary recordings belong in *every* jazz collection. This new set from Off The Record/Archeophone offers the best sound quality.
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 | 1929-1930 by King Oliver and His Orchestra
Buy used from: $29.99 More King Oliver here--past his prime--but these are still energetic and enjoyable sides recorded by Victor in the late 1920s and remastered with care. Excellent!
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 | The New York Sessions 1926-1935 by Eddie Lang & Joe Venuti
Buy new: $28.98 / Used from: $22.15 Eddie Lang and Joe Ventui were two of the best string jazz men of the 1920s, and were the inspiration for Django and Stephane Grappelli.
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 | Classic Ragtime: Roots and Offshoots by Various Artists
Buy used from: $5.99 Excellent sampler of period ragtime recordings and early jazz sides from 1907-1938
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 | Scott Joplin: Piano Rags by Joshua Rifkin
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.72 The definitive recording of some of Joplin's rags. Excellent!
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 | Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $7.99 Excellent budget-priced set of Joplin's complete piano works (not including his songs). Arpin plays them well, and the album is well-recorded.
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 | James Scott: The Complete Works 1903-1922 by Guido Nielsen
Buy new: $24.98 / Used from: $74.21 Lively, acrobatic ragtime played by a master of the form, Guido Nielsen. Not to be missed!
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 | Fingerbreaker by Morten Gunnar Larsen
Buy used from: $4.71 Brilliant collection of ragtime and early jazz piano pieces, played with exceptional skill.
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 | American Beauties: The Rags of Joseph Lamb by Virginia Eskin
Buy new: $10.98 Hauntingly beautiful rags by Joseph Lamb, well-played by Virginia Eskin (if at times a bit fast)
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 | Knockout Drops
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $13.99 Excellent ensemble ragtime, played by one of the best bands in the business. Thrilling!
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 | Ragtime Women by Max Morath and the Ragtime Quintet
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $8.38 Wome composed ragtime too, and this album brings together some of the best.
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 | Zez Confrey Piano Rolls and Scores
Buy used from: $6.87 The master of "novelty" ragtime plays his own pieces from piano rolls, restored and "realized" by Artis Wodehouse (who adds dynamics, smoothes out tempos, etc.)
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 | Ragtime, Vol. 1: 1897-1919
Buy used from: $20.00 Rare period recordings of ragtime are collected here. The sound, while not perfect, is very good.
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 | Joplin: The Red Back Book, Elite Syncopations / Schuller, Grierson, New England Ragtime Conservatory, Southland Stingers
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $5.94 This influential band ragtime album is still one of the best, 30 years later.
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 | A Century of Ragtime 1897-1997 by Various Artists
Buy new: $23.98 / Used from: $9.75 Nice ragtime overview. Disc One features piano performances of old and new rags, Disc Two features ragtime band performances.
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