How can I learn more about jazz music?

Question

I recently started to listen to jazz on the radio, and I find myself enjoying it a lot. It is the perfect mix between easy listening and sensory stimulation. The thing is, all the songs just blend into one for me, because I have no idea what I am hearing. So:

-Where can I learn more about jazz?
-What bands should I listen to?
-What types of things should I be listening for in the music?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You can listen to WKCR(.org/89.9fm). It's a station operated by the jazz department at Columbia University in NYC. They play jazz and teach you about it too. A great show is Bird flight, it's on every weekday morning starting at 8:20. Phil Schapp is the host. He is an amazing source of knowledge regarding Charlie "Bird" Parker, He has first hand info and he presents it very well.

Here are some album suggestions to get you started. It's my answer from a similiar question (scroll down to the 4th answer-http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av4ruO67MPHNeGmcG._5ePLsy6IX?qid=20070205185348AAue0NM&show=7#profile-info-a88c7ce0ae93e3c161f54fdbec330759aa

Answer 2

There is a lot of different Jazz around the United States.
I'd start with the Glenn Miller orchestra and Dave Breubeck for big band.
The Buena Vista Social club is a great collection of Cuban Jazz and is just and awesome movie.
The Yellowjackets are a good band too.

If you are a horns guy, check out the jazz clubs in the Deep south like New Orleans and Miami.
If you like Piano, Harry Connick Jr. is about as good as it gets.
Sax must start with Grover Washington Jr. Seems how everyone copies his original songs.
As far as where to study jazz, many of the bigger towns like L.A. Chicago, New York all have nice jazz clubs you can check out.

Answer 3

Start with the classics (Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane) then try out some of the new folks (Harry Connick Jr., the Marsalis bros.) Look into sub-genres like Acid Jazz (jazz music over trance beats). If you like something you hear on the radio try to find out who it is (very easy if you have XM or Sirius since they give you the artist and song title). Go to the music stores and buy a couple of compilations and use those to branch out and buy Greatest Hits of artists you like.

Answer 4

This is also new to me because I grew up listening to rock n roll from my two older brothers back in the mid-'60s threw the early '1970s. Here is a list from my Jazz CD collection,
Dave Weckl: Multiplicity, Live
Billy Cobham: Power-play
Herbie handcock: Dis is the drum
Al Di Meola: Kiss my Axk
Paul Taylor: Steppin' out
Mindi Abair: It just happens that way
Praful: One Day Deep
Spyro Gyra: Collection
Omar Hakim: Rhythm Deep
Chick Corea: Beneath the Mask
Rippingtons:Weekend in Monaco
Buddy Rich: Mercy, Mercy

Check some of the used Cd stores because they should allow you to listen to some CDs before buying. I hope this helps you out and good luck. (77)

Answer 5

Get the DVDs of the PBS series "Jazz" by Ken Burns. Very good about the roots and evolution of jazz but a little weak on the more modern music. The stories are amazing.

Answer 6

Liston to Jack Bruce from the Cream and their albums that were released in the late 60's. Bruce is considered one of the greatest bass players alive. Seeing how their music is sort of a jazz, rock you might enjoy their songs. In my opinion, "Disraeli Gears" is their best Album.

Answer 7

wynton marsalis is not only a superb musician, he also has spent much time teaching people about different types of music, especially jazz. do some research on him and you will learn alot about the history of jazz,contemporary jazz, and everything in between.

Answer 8

go out and buy some ella fitzgerald, i recommend her songbook series.............cole porter, irving berlin, harold arlen, gershwin, etc. ella is the queen!