 | Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $3.99 This is one of the most essential jazz albums ever...not going to repeat all the cliches, so..just get it if you don't have it! [I'm not sure about this "Dualdisc" thing...and the other copies are listed under Coltrane for some reason...It should be easy to find a cheap copy of this though]
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 | Giant Steps by John Coltrane
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $3.09 Another great album...This album has become "standard" material in the jazz realm...meaning that all of these songs are so revered, that they are considered to be a standard part of the jazz repertoire, much like "Kind of Blue." Trane at his most powerful, along with some amazing musicians to back him.
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 | Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert by Benny Goodman
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $4.88 This expanded, remastered edition is fantastic! Listen to this and you'll realize why he was "King of Swing."
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 | Free Jazz (A Collective Improvisation) by Ornette Coleman Double Quartet
Buy new: $13.96 / Used from: $4.43 The beginnings of free jazz (avant-garde). There are only two tracks (long tracks)...the musicians on this album make it happen, it's almost as if there's a psychic bond between them...
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 | Allegresse by Maria Schneider Orchestra
Buy used from: $19.85 The new sound in jazz big band music. It's almost classical in nature, very tight musicianship and very well written music. Highly recommended!
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 | The Infinite by Dave Douglas
Buy used from: $1.84 This is the first album I heard of Dave Douglas, and it completely blew my mind in terms of where modern jazz was headed. It has a Miles Davis electric feel to it at times, while retaining it's originality and modern jazz sound.
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 | Jaco Pastorius by Jaco Pastorius
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $4.43 This is some amazing jazz fusion! This album is worth it alone for the Donna Lee Opener into Come on, Come Over. Some amazing bass work! If you play bass and/or like jazz, this album is for you.
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 | Blue Train by John Coltrane
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.99 What can I say, this album is simply amazing. Trane at his very best with, along with Lee Morgan, Paul Chambers, Kenny Drew, Philly Jo Jones, and Curtis Fuller on trombone, the often left-out jazz combo instrument. This album offers some amazing solos by every artist, and is a cornerstone of jazz.
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 | Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $6.34 What a great album! This album is fun to listen to. This is another cornerstone of jazz...featuring classics like "Better Git It In Your Soul" "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" "Boogie Stop Shuffle" and "Fables of Faubus," just to mention a few, all the tracks are excellent. Mingus borders on almost sloppy at times, greasy is the right word to describe it. This album is a must.
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 | Miles Smiles by Miles Davis
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $3.98 This is one of Miles' albums that I listen to the most. It comes right after "ESP" and continues the forward march of Hard Bop towards Fusion. This is the Second Great Quintet playing at their strongest! Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams all set the standard for those following in their footsteps.
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 | Live at the Blue Note by Duke Ellington
Buy new: $23.98 / Used from: $9.69 This Double-CD album features the Ellington band in full-throttle swing! Featuring classics like "Take the A Train," "C Jam Blues," and others...these live takes are incredible. Clark Terry, Shorty Baker, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, all have memorable solos. One of my favorite tracks is "El Gato," which features some incredible trumpet solos.
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 | Directions in Music: Live at Massey Hall by Herbie Hancock
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $3.65 I can't think of a better way to celebrate Miles Davis & John Coltrane than with these amazing musicians! Hancock, Brecker, and Hargrove are accompanied by John Patitucci and Brian Blade. the soloing is out of this world. Very cohesive, tight sounding group!
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 | The Complete Machine Gun Sessions (1968) by Peter, Quartet Brotzmann
Buy new: $16.95 / Used from: $12.04 While Ornette Coleman was creating his free-jazz in the United States, Peter Brotzmann was advancing the subject across the seas in Germany. This is a full-frontal assault of noise; not recommended for the faint-at-heart.
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 | Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall by Thelonious Monk
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.70 This album features many of Monk's major songs such as "Monk's Mood," "Blue Monk," and "Off Minor." it is great to hear an 'orchestra' backing it up. The orchestra includes Donald Byrd, Pepper Adams, Charlie Rouse, Phil Woods, and Art Taylor, to name a few.
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 | A Go Go by John Scofield
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $3.00 This album features Scofield backed by the Jazz-funk trio Medeski, Martin and Wood. From start to finish, this album is in the groove with stylish funk-tinged riffs. John Medeski plays the organ like a pro, and is backed by Billy Martin on drums and Chris Wood on bass. This is a relaxing listen.
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 | Money Jungle by Duke Ellington
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.94 What a triumvirate! Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus, and Max Roach! This session from 1962 is a great jam (gem?)!
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 | Lou Takes Off by Lou Donaldson
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $5.83 This is a great session from 1957 featuring the lesser known alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson with an all-star cast of Donald Byrd on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Sonny Clark on Piano, Art Taylor on drums, and Jamil Nasser on bass. Great Bop, this really cooks!
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 | Goldberg Variations: Aria and 70 Variations Adapted, Arranged and Composed by Uri Caine by Uri Caine Ensemble
Buy new: $34.98 / Used from: $20.99 This music on this album is based on Bach's Goldberg Variations. Uri Caine takes each variation and plays it in a different style: jazz, r&b, soul, hip-hop, neo-classical, etc...fun and interesting...
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