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 Jimmy Smith--The Sermon 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 Cassandra Wilson--Blue Light 'til Dawn Cassandra Wilson--New Moon Daughter 2000-present Brian Bromberg: Downright Upright
