Listmania!
Endlessly Listenable - 40 Classic Jazz Recordings
By an Amazon.com customer
Ella and Louis AgainElla and Louis Again by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Buy new: $19.98 / Used from: $9.95
Not just two legends, but three, with Oscar Peterson (as part of his trio) providing sparkling accompaniment - music that radiates happiness. Underlying the good humour is equally radiant musicianship. Their other collaborations are equally memorable.
Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note: The Complete RecordingsKeith Jarrett at the Blue Note: The Complete Recordings by Keith Jarrett
Buy new: $107.98 / Used from: $83.29
Six sets over three nights, beautifully recorded in 1994. The trio at the height of their form, with tracks ranging from the concise to the hypnotically extended. A single set sampler exists.
Live at the Village Vanguard: The Master TakesLive at the Village Vanguard: The Master Takes by John Coltrane
Buy used from: $6.47
Coltrane exemplifies the musician who is searching, rather than playing by routine - this recording combines power and lyricism. Accessible, yet challenging.
John Coltrane & Johnny HartmanJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman by John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $3.80
Impossibly smooth vocals vie with Coltrane in seductive mode to create the perfect late night chill record.
Complete RecordingsComplete Recordings by Helen Merrill
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $48.11
Langorous interpretations from a great singer, with the added genius of Clifford Brown on trumpet. Sensitive, emotional, with great phrasing - turn the lights down low and savour.
Ahmad's BluesAhmad's Blues by Ahmad Jamal
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.00
Elegance, humour, understatement, and effortless virtuosity - Ahmad Jamal is endlessly listenable. Refined jazz at its best. Saw him live a few years ago - still amazing!
Night TrainNight Train by Oscar Peterson Trio
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $6.00
A great sense of swing, with the virtuoso Peterson in full control. His playing if full of surprises, and the interplay with his long-term trio a delight.
Kind of BlueKind of Blue by Miles Davis
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.18
You can play this forever. A truly magical session that deserves all its accolades. Davis, Evans, Coltrane - and the sum is even greater than the parts.
The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965 by Miles Davis
Buy used from: $149.99
A boiling sea of music, with intuition between the players bordering on the supernatural. The energy and imagination in these sets is astonishing. Emotionally and intellectually explosive. A remaster is on the way, so avoid inflated 'used' prices.
Jazz GiantJazz Giant by Bud Powell
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $7.86
A tornado sweeping across the keyboard, with a sense of rhythm that's invasive. Every track rings with the excitement of bebop.
Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie HallThelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall by Thelonious Monk
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $5.46
Stunning interplay between the leaders, having played together solidly for several months prior to this recording. Rescued from the vaults, this is genuine buried treasure.
Saxophone ColossusSaxophone Colossus by Sonny Rollins
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.32
Lots of groove and lots of invention. The chemistry is just right on this album, universally regarded as one of Sonny Rollins' best.
Somethin' ElseSomethin' Else by Cannonball Adderley
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $4.99
A premonition of Kind of Blue, with great interplay between Miles and Cannonball Adderley. Art Blakey's signature drive adds another element to the mix.
ConquistadorConquistador by Cecil Taylor
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $5.28
The mystique around Taylor can't disguise a certain craziness behind this music - it splinters, it thuds, it congeals and then bursts apart again. As an antidote to the saccharine it can't be beat.
Rarum, Vol. 11: Selected RecordingsRarum, Vol. 11: Selected Recordings by Egberto Gismonti
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.99
Playing twelve string guitar, as well as piano, Gismonti is a unique musician, influenced by South American traditions, Classical music and jazz.
Whistle StopWhistle Stop by Kenny Dorham
Buy new: $8.97 / Used from: $4.80
A terrific set of compositions, with atmospheric performances. Hank Mobley shines on sax.
Search for the New LandSearch for the New Land by Lee Morgan
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $5.99
The title track is lingering and explorative, each musician finding interesting moves - and what musicians! Morgan, Shorter, Hancock, Green, Higgins and Workman.
Cool Struttin'Cool Struttin' by Sonny Clark
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $4.88
Sonny Clark is a pianist with that magic that keeps you listening. And listening. This great record is equalled by his "Leapin' and Lopin'" and "Sonny Clark Trio".
Love ScenesLove Scenes by Diana Krall
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $1.49
Yes, the photos are a bit cheesy, but she's the real deal. Christian McBride on bass. Lively piano, distinctive vocals.
Night DreamerNight Dreamer by Wayne Shorter
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.81
Without Miles, Wayne Shorter's muse takes a slightly different kind of flight. Beautiful but unconventional melodies, and relaxed telepathy between the players.
A Night at Birdland, Vol. 2A Night at Birdland, Vol. 2 by Art Blakey
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $4.98
Clifford Brown's trumpet is on fire...and the blaze is stoked by Blakey and co. Imagination competes with adrenalin, in this, one of the greatest live jazz recordings.
HappeningsHappenings by Bobby Hutcherson
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $4.97
The liquid sound of Hutcherson's vibes creates the perfect synergy with Herbie Hancock's infinitely variable keyboard forms. All the experimentation respects both pulse and melody. A stunner.
Mosaic Select: Grachan Moncur IIIMosaic Select: Grachan Moncur III by Grachan Moncur III
Buy used from: $38.27
Includes remastered "One Step Beyond" by Jackie Mclean & Moncur's "Some Other Stuff" - superb jazz balanced on the edge of tonality. See more on the Mosaic website.
Breaking PointBreaking Point by Freddie Hubbard
Buy new: $8.97 / Used from: $6.94
Aside from the talent of Hubbard, there's James Spaulding's under-appreciated invention. The grooves verge on the funky. A fantastic adventurous jazz outing.
Inner UrgeInner Urge by Joe Henderson
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Thunderous runs, braying, howls, a glistening cascade of notes - and that's just the first track. Possibly Henderson's most intense record, with spectacular support from Tyner and Elvin Jones.
AstigmaticAstigmatic by Krzysztof Komeda
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $48.66
Revered as Komeda's masterwork, this angular set melds well with 60's jazz in the US. Komeda provided soundtracks to several Roman Polanski films. A great artist, sorely missed.
Blues in OrbitBlues in Orbit by Duke Ellington
Buy used from: $5.84
Hard to choose from the innumerable Ellington recordings, but this is loads of fun, and my most played.
Bitches BrewBitches Brew by Miles Davis
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $7.32
Threatening, incisive, and clouded with a true cauldron of emotions, this widely-lauded work broke new ground, while building on established jazz strengths.
Idle MomentsIdle Moments by Grant Green
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.89
The title track is superb - it's easy to immerse in the hypnotic mood. Extended solos by Green, Henderson and Hutcherson.
Feelin' the SpiritFeelin' the Spirit by Grant Green
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $5.95
Gospel tracks infused with Herbie Hancock's funk and Grant Green's blues. A fantastic extension of the jazz idiom.
Down with It!Down with It! by Blue Mitchell
Buy used from: $9.99
A rhytmic romp, with great contributions from a young Chick Corea on piano. Lyricism and groove combine for an album with an upbeat feel.
Live at Club MozambiqueLive at Club Mozambique by Lonnie Smith
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $7.90
Watch out! This is seriously funky. George Benson on guitar, and the infectious organ of Lonnie Smith. Includes a cover of a Sly Stone track, so that's a clue to what you're in for.
Suspended NightSuspended Night by Tomasz Stanko Quartet
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $11.90
The haunting broken tone of Stanko is counterbalanced by the finesse of his backing trio. Saw them live, and this record captures their spirit.
The Sermon!The Sermon! by Jimmy Smith
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.22
A huge jam session with Smith an orchestra in himself. Terrific summation of many of the Blue Note label's strengths.
Jam SessionJam Session by Charlie Parker
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Charlie Parker alongside a stellar line up - extended performances with a real sense of collective invention. Needless to say, other Parker recordings deserve attention too.
A Love SupremeA Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.93
A journey into darkness and light - Coltrane was leaving ordinary world of jazz for somewhere new. The challenge is there, but the music is open and accessible too.
Empyrean IslesEmpyrean Isles by Herbie Hancock
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.02
Herbie Hancock has a raft of excellent records, and this is one of the finest. The playing is virtuosic, but retains clarity. The impossibly catchy Canteloupe Island appears here.
Now He Sings Now He SobsNow He Sings Now He Sobs by Chick Corea
Buy new: $11.94 / Used from: $6.16
Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes join Corea for an engaging workout. Most of the tracks push traditional structures, but remain melodic and arresting.
Passing ShipsPassing Ships by Andrew Hill
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $34.69
Hill continues to follow his own path. His approach to the keyboard and arrangements is unique, and fascinating. This resurrected session showcases the extent of his talent.
MosaicMosaic by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $7.38
Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter, both young and full of fire, spur Blakey's messengers to the heights. Excellent compositions add to the insistent drive that propels this album.