Building a jazz music library has to do with personal tastes while keeping an eye on history. On the one hand, jazz is about tradition. Being aware of who has done what and learning to appreciate the different eras of jazz is a worthwhile endeavor. Understanding the stories behind certain key albums can give keen insight into our country and culture. That being said, find out what you like and obtain a lot of it…ultimately it’s about enjoyment. I’ll maintain this page with a bias toward the connoisseur, though I, at best need to be viewed as a novice who is learning as I go. That is why I have left the comments section open for your suggestions as to what you like and what albums & artists you think need to be included. (I’ll update this page periodically, so check back often)
It’s been said that when building a jazz music collection, start with Kind of Blue and then buy anything connected with the cats who play on the awesome album. That’s some pretty good advice. Here’s some more…
Click here for a basic summary of jazz styles.
1800’s-early 1900’s: The Blues
1900-1920
1921-1940
Billy Holiday: The Ultimate Collection
Louis Armstrong
Ella Fitzgerald
Duke Ellington–The Best of the Complete RCA Victor Mid-forties Recordings
Duke Ellington–16 Most Requested Songs
Jelly Roll Morton
King oliver
Bix Beiderbecke
Sidney Bichet
Count Basie
Benny Goodman
Lester Young
Chick Webb
1941-1960
Brother Jack McDuff–The Best of the Concord Years
Charles Mingus–Blues and Roots
Charles Mingus–Thirteen Pictures: The Charles Mingus Anthology
Dizzy Gillespie
Charlie Parker
Nat King Cole
Dexter Gordon
Glenn Miller
Max Roach
Sara Vaughn
Miles Davis
Dave Brubeck
Quincy Jones
Oscar peterson
Sonny Rollins
1961-1980
Thelonious Monk–Live at the IT Club
Ornette Coleman
John coltrane
Cannonball Adderly–The Definitive Cannonball Adderly Collection
Ron Carter
Stan Getz
Elvin Jones
Jaco Pastorious–Punk Jazz: The Jaco Pastorious Anthology
Herbie Hancock
1980-1990: Smooth Jazz & Neo-traditionalist
Wynton Marsalis
1991 to 2000
Christian McBride–Live at Tonic
Dizzy Gillespie–To Diz with Love
E. S. T.–Seven Days of Falling
Regina Carter
2000-present
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