 | Straight, No Chaser by Thelonious Monk
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $4.28 One of the best jazz albums ever recorded in my opinion. Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales, and Ben Riley. This was Monk's quartet throughout the 60s.
|
 | Complete Prestige Recordings by Thelonious Monk
Buy new: $29.98 / Used from: $55.27 Monk only recorded for Prestige for a short period, but during that time he really made some great records. Instead of hunting all the individual albums, buy this box set instead...you'll be glad you did.
|
 | Underground by Thelonious Monk
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $3.97 One of the last Monk albums ever recorded. This album features a few new Monk compositions, which have ended up being some of my favorites---"Ugly Beauty" and "Boo Boo's Birthday." Essential album for anyone's Monk collection.
|
 | The Hawk Relaxes by Coleman Hawkins
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $13.49 Amazing recording by tenor saxophone giant Coleman Hawkins. It's not very often we get to hear the Hawk play ballads and what a beautiful tone he gets.
|
 | At Ease with Coleman Hawkins by Coleman Hawkins
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $3.92 Another all ballad album, but don't let the notion of ballads scare you away from this beautiful recording. The Hawk plays with full bodied, warm, lyrical style.
|
 | Beyond Expectations by John Hicks
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $10.19 Criminally underrated jazz pianist, John Hicks is remarkable musician. "Beyond Expectations" is one his best.
|
 | Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook by John Hicks
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.99 Never have I heard Billy Strayhorn compositions treated with such delicate beauty and swinging intensity. Hicks was certainly one of the best jazz pianists of his generation.
|
 | Trio and Quintet by Elmo Hope
Buy used from: $10.40 Another criminally underrated jazz pianist. Elmo Hope could burn like Bud Powell, but with the harmonic creativity of Thelonious Monk or Tommy Flanagan. This is the best album to start with new fans.
|
 | New Beginnings by Terell Stafford
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $6.99 One of the best jazz trumpeters out there right now. Stafford is showing a very promising career.
|
 | Inception by McCoy Tyner
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $6.31 This McCoy Tyner the way I like to him: swinging. This is one of his early recordings and it shows what an great bebop pianist he truly was.
|
 | Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Recordings by The Modern Jazz Quartet
Buy new: $28.47 / Used from: $34.49 Excellent box set that documents their history with Prestige and Pablo Records. There is some really great stuff here.
|
 | For Sentimental Reasons by Bobby Hutcherson
Buy new: $18.99 / Used from: $49.78 I've been listening to this album a good bit. You really can't go wrong with Bobby Hutcherson, but I have to say this is his best in years. The wonderful Renee Rosnes is on piano.
|
 | The Dreamers by John Zorn
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $10.16 John Zorn is somebody you have to watch because he will occasionally put out beautiful recordings like this one.
|
 | Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.99 A true jazz masterpiece in every way. I always try to listen to this album at least once a month.
|
Listmania!
