I'm starting to take an interest in jazz, who should I look up?

Question

Both classic and contemporary, what songs/artists should I seek out?

Answer 1

Here are some of my suggestions from similar questions about various styles of jazz...

The albums that got me started, and I still like
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhRAOr02i.NPymYOKzmx5Sbty6IX?qid=20061122221822AAcKrpP&show=7#profile-info-37a48d519d8263f512567ac6c91dd2a9aa

Soft (but not smooth jazz)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AisaFMcytzjuEqjZu3pretXty6IX?qid=20060911113148AAhFlAN&show=7#profile-info-f5c8f6a853be281dcc9c0ca698dac383aa

To fall asleep to
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsYCjkZSogcXmU9fc62fbqjty6IX?qid=20070204074115AArXGtS&show=7#profile-info-a3Wxqkbnaa

Composres
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av4ruO67MPHNeGmcG._5ePLty6IX?qid=20061127190827AAalEYH&show=7#profile-info-ac76885f73a3eafc0903670668f43caeaa

"Out there" kind of jazz
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Al2UNPya98xJ7podLxxwfN_ty6IX?qid=20070117171851AAQDVUN&show=7#profile-info-72e82625a950a5a944223b5fd7f3de0daa

Soft/ballad (not smooth)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AisaFMcytzjuEqjZu3pretXty6IX?qid=20060911113148AAhFlAN&show=7#profile-info-f5c8f6a853be281dcc9c0ca698dac383aa

I hope you trust my suggestions. I wouldn't BS you about jazz. Someone helped me get started and I'm happy to help spread the good info. Enjoy.

Answer 2

There are many artists to look up. For the classics, I would suggests the "cool" period. This is where you're gonna come in contact with Miles Davis. He's a great bridge to connect you with Bebob, meaning, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, and Max Roach on one end and Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter on the other side. Of course these will lead you to othere places as well. Including the age old question " What is Jazz"? My answer is that it is liberation and freedom. Which is probably why it isn't heavily promoted in the mainstream. Beyond this, You just have to listen to Jazz and have fun doing it.

Answer 3

As others have already mentioned, you should definitely listen to some Miles and Coltrane. For specific Coltrane song titles, I would recommend "Giant Steps, "Equinox," and "Central Park West." For Miles, I suggest the entire CD called "Kind of Blue." It is really incredible.

For some more contemporary artists, check out Diana Krall and John Scofield.

And while it's not technically jazz, I would also suggest John Mayer's latest CD Continuum, if you haven't heard it. It has a very nice bluesy, jazzy feel to it that I love oh, so much.

Answer 4

There are so many, its hard to say. I think you should start with finding something you like, finding out who the artist is, and then find out who they've played with, then who they've played with, etc. That's one of the cool things about jazz - artists like to play with a variety of people, and in various styles. A great guy to listen to is Herbie Hancock, because besides being an incredible player, he has done some of almost everything throughout his career. George Benson also is like that to a lesser extent.

Answer 5

Vocalists are wonderful, but instrumental can be just as powerful. John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Early Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Dinah Washington....the list can go on and on...

Answer 6

Well theres the standards, Boney James, Ramsey Louis, Ella Fitzgerald. Chris Botti, Fourplay (my fave). Do a search on Yahoo and see what you get.

Answer 7

Superlative instrumentalists:

Jaco Pastorius (bass)
Stanley Clarke (bass)
Al DiMeola (gtr)
Chick Corea (keys)
John Coltrane (sax)
Miles Davis (horn)

Answer 8

I like Bony James

Answer 9

Miles Davis is a must !

Answer 10

charlie parker