Although this list leans heavily towards the straight-ahead style of the 1950’s and 60’s, it reflects one of the most influential eras in jazz. What you will not find on this list is the outlandish avant-garde stuff. Every list I have seen says you must have them, with no reason other than it sold well. I have attempted to make this list represent a variety of groups, instruments, and vocalists. I would encourage you to explore other albums by each of these artists, as most have numerous entries in their respected field.
Miles Davis-Birth of the Cool-Capitol Records: This represents Davis’ earliest recordings with far more jazz style then later records that seem to be so coveted.
Dave Brubeck-Time Out-Columbia Records: Outstanding piano quintet with various time signatures that are Brubeck's well-known style. Paul Desmond’s alto work is silky smooth.
Dorothy Ashby-Soft Winds-Jazzland Records: Hard to find but worth the search. Who else plays jazz on a harp? A masterpiece, as are many of her records.
Stacey Kent-Dreamsville-Candid Records: A singer's singer, she gels so well with the soloist and orchestra on many forgotten jazz standards. Think of Blossom Dearie's style.
Benny Goodman-Combos-Capitol Records: A later Goodman with numerous small groups from duo to octet. Many all-star jazz men add just the right amount of augmentation without becoming too swing oriented. Far better than his 40s big band work.
Vince Guaraldi-Oh Good Grief-Fantasy Records: The piano voice of almost all the Charlie Brown TV specials, his fluid piano is so relaxing, one can almost feel the stress of daily life melting away.
Stan Kenton-Artistry in Bossa Nova-Capitol Records: Kenton's large big band is far from swing, and much more melodic. He put an emphasis on his big hits and added a smooth bossa nova beat.
Etta Jones-Sings-Roulette Records: With a backing band including Frank Wess, Kenny Burrell, Junior Mance, and Joe Newman, Etta lays down some of the best blues and jazz one can imagine.
Dinah Shore/Red Norvo-Dinah Sings Some Blues with Red-Capitol Records: Some may question this entry. Just try it, you will be amazed how well she and Red work together. His xylophone is so subtle that it actually compliments her voice.
Charlie Ventura-Plays for the People-Craftsman Records: This is one of the most swinging records Charlie ever did! His solos on bass saxophone are epic. Be prepared for those low notes!
Supersax-Plays Bird with Strings-Capitol Records: A literal super band of west coast saxophone players; backed by a string section, playing original Charlie Parker solos as an ensemble. Impeccable!
Page Cavanaugh-Fats Sent Me-Capitol Records: A very obscure, hard to find album, but think of it as a high-fidelity tribute to the great Fats Waller. Page was one of those underrated pianists that never got the recognition deserved.
Howard Rumsey-Music for Light Housekeeping-Contemporary Records: Actually, any Howard Rumsey album is great, but this one is my favorite. Smooth west coast ensemble work with well-placed solos, but you are always able to recognize the melodies.
Art Pepper-Those Kenton Days-Capitol Records: Only available in the UK, but worth the shipping, as it features Art when he was soloing with the great Stan Kenton Band. It is one of the best Art Pepper records I have.
Dave Pell Octet-I Had the Craziest Dream-Capitol Records: With Dave Pell, you can buy any of his many LPs and be satisfied. As a free agent, he recorded on numerous labels. His Capitol and RCA records are the best in my opinion. This one is no exception with the entire octet in fine form front to back with Dave at the tenor saxophone as leader.
Gerry Mulligan-Meets Stan Getz-Verve Records: Baritone saxophone by Mulligan, tenor and alto by Getz. The duo backed by an expert rhythm section blows out some of the finest riffs in the west. Of course, Getz recorded dozens of fine jazz records, so you can pretty much take your pick.
Marian McPartland-After Dark-Capitol Records: Her style is straight ahead and refined but never boring. If you like smooth piano with an intimate club feel, you’ll love her style. A very ample rhythm section backs her nicely. She plays harp as well.
Herbie Mann-Big Band Mann-Verve Records: This was a hard choice as I have over 20 albums by Mann. This one stands out as he takes old swing standards and brings them into the sixties with his outstanding flute solos, never losing the familiarity of the original performance.
Gene Krupa-The Great New Gene Krupa Quartet Featuring Charlie Ventura-Verve Records: Yep, the forties master of drums. With the addition of Ventura blowing a mean baritone and alto saxophone, it is the perfect blend of swing and jazz. I wish they had done more with this group as it is well recorded, and I can tell there was a lot of energy in these tracks.
Barney Kessell-Music to Listen to Barney Kessel By-Contemporary Records: The finest jazz guitarist of the west, Barney lays down unforgettable solos with a stellar rhythm section.
The Five-The Five-RCA Records: With Pete Jolly on piano, Bill Perkins on tenor saxophone, Conte Candoli on trumpet, Buddy Clark on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums, it is west coast jazz at its finest! Recorded in the late 1950s at RCA studios, it sounds so far ahead of its time. While many RCA records lack good sound, their jazz selections are always first rate.
Johnny Hodges/Wild Bill Davis-Con-Soul and Sax-RCA Records: Any time you find a saxophone and Hammond organ recording you know it is going to be great! Davis masters the console and ex-Ellington alto man Hodges does what he does best, swing! Another outstanding RCA jazz recording.
Coleman Hawkins-The Hawk Flies High-Riverside Records: You will never go wrong with the Hawk! His heavy toned tenor saxophone hits just the right vibe for hard hitting bop!
Terry Gibbs-Vibes on Velvet-Mercury Emarcy Record: This album and its sequel, More Vibes on Velvet, are a double hitter and both are on my desert island list. A five-man saxophone section with Gibbs on vibraphone, the mix is masterful. Both albums are front to back perfect. Gibbs has a very large catalog of records, all of which are amazing.
Stan Getz-More West Coast-Norgran Records: Another hard-to-find album, but it puts Getz in the spotlight in a much different fashion than later bossa nova offerings. His tenor is smooth as silk. This album may have been reissued on Verve.
Don Elliott-The Don Elliott Quartet-RCA Records: This album could easily have been titled Don Does It All. He plays trumpet, mellophone, vibraphone and also does quite well as a vocalist on other albums. This one is straight ahead west coast jazz, smooth and precise.
Dick Collins-Horn A Plenty-RCA Records: Former Woody Herman trumpeter, Collins showed his leadership with a small group on another of the very well recorded RCA jazz records.
Al Cohn-Four Brass, One Tenor-RCA Records: We seem to be on an RCA kick here. This record and the two previous listings all came out about the same period. Cohn on tenor saxophone plus a small brass ensemble and rhythm section lay down some fine notes.
Serge Chaloff-Blue Serge-Capitol Records: Chaloff is like Charlie Ventura as he plays baritone, tenor, alto and on occasion bass saxophone. He hits on all four on this album, which is part of the Stan Kenton presents series from the very early 1960s.
Milt Buckner-Rockin’ Hammond-Capitol Records: Anything that has Hammond in the title piques my interest. Milt is a seasoned pianist that switched to Hammond Organ in the late 1940s while performing with Duke Ellington. He never looked back and recorded very prolifically throughout the 60s and 70s. His style hints to an R&B leaning but never stops swinging. His ballads are soul stirring and deep.
Pete Rugolo-Rugolo Plays Kenton-Mercury Records: One of the chief arrangers for the great Stan Kenton band, Rugolo spent a good portion of his life in the recording studio. He was a perfectionist. This album pays tribute to his Kenton days without just being a copy. It’s fresh and swinging big band jazz.
Gene Harris Big Band-A Tribute to Count Basie-Concord Jazz Records: Gene needs no introduction. This album features a good bunch of great Basie numbers in Gene’s own style, and the band is composed of top-notch musicians. Many had played with Basie at one time or another. As with all Concord Jazz Records, the fidelity is perfect.
Chet Baker-Chet Baker with Strings-Philips/Columbia Records: This was a hard choice as well because Chet has so many outstanding records. This one has always spoken to me. His trumpet is soft and intimate just like his vocals. Almost like a shy kid in front of the class, he carries the melody and never loses focus. The strings are very well recorded too.
Manny Albam-Steve’s Songs-Dot Records: Manny was better known as an arranger, but did record a few albums with a big band. This one is his very best, as he and Steve Allen teamed up to record a bunch of Allen’s compositions. The band swings, and although Dot did not release a lot of jazz records, when they did, it was done well. It sure beats their Pat Boone and Lawrence Welk offerings!
Cannonball Adderley-The Lush Side of Cannonball-Mercury Records: Julian Cannonball Adderley is no stranger to jazz. Both him and his brother Nat were jazz legends. This album put Cannonball in a more Charlie Parker like setting, backed with a beautiful string section. His alto is sweet and mellow.
This is by no means a complete listing. It just reflects what I feel is often overlooked. There is much more to jazz than Coltrane, Davis and Mingus.
Happy Listening!
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