Need some input on Jazz artists

hibuckhobby · « **on:** 20 Jul 2011, 04:32 pm »

OK...I know very little about this topic. I know I like "older" jazz that is melodic as opposed to a kind that is (to me) more free form and almost atonal at times. So...I thought maybe Coltrane would be a good choice for me because so many speak highly of his work. Maybe it was just the album I bought, but the the direct to disc Basie and Coltrane didn't float my boat at all.

Can someone direct me toward laid back, melodic jazz?
TIA,
Hibuck.....

Wally King · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 05:39 pm »

My Favorite Things

http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Things-Deluxe-John-Coltrane/dp/B00000348A/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_14

Ballads

http://www.amazon.com/Ballads-Reis-Rstr-John-Coltrane/dp/B000W4KSVA/ref=sr_1_9?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311183185&sr=1-9

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane

http://www.amazon.com/Duke-Ellington-John-Coltrane-Reis/dp/B000W4KSWO/ref=pd_sim_m_4

The Gentle Side ... (a compilation)

http://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Side-John-Coltrane/dp/B000003N66/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_15

richidoo · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 05:47 pm »

Early Coltrane is more melodic. Monk pushed him out, and great art was the result, but it's not for everyone. When I was young I didn't care for it either. His playing in the last years doesn't do anything for me, but usually the band energy is nice.

Some of my favorites for melodic jazz:
Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker
Miles Davis Quintet/Sextet
Kenny Burrell, Wes Mongomery
Dave Brubeck with Paul Desmond
Clifford Brown Max Roach Quintet
Louis Armstrong small bands 1940s-50s
Bill Evans Trio
Sarah Vaughan
Count Basie Big Band (the real stuff, from 1950s w/Sonny Payne, drums)
Kenny Dorham

Also try Pandora's genre stations like Cool Jazz, Bebop, and Jazz Essentials. They will introduce you to many different artists which you can vote for and focus Pandora toward your taste over time, then you will find what you're looking for.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 06:43 pm »

Quote from: hibuckhobby on 20 Jul 2011, 04:32 pm

OK...I know very little about this topic. I know I like "older" jazz that is melodic as opposed to a kind that is (to me) more free form and almost atonal at times. So...I thought maybe Coltrane would be a good choice for me because so many speak highly of his work. Maybe it was just the album I bought, but the the direct to disc Basie and Coltrane didn't float my boat at all.

Can someone direct me toward laid back, melodic jazz?
TIA,
Hibuck.....

This was discussed in a different thread. Some good info in this link.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=92355.0

jjc1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 06:57 pm »

Quote from: hibuckhobby on 20 Jul 2011, 04:32 pm

OK...I know very little about this topic. I know I like "older" jazz that is melodic as opposed to a kind that is (to me) more free form and almost atonal at times. So...I thought maybe Coltrane would be a good choice for me because so many speak highly of his work. Maybe it was just the album I bought, but the the direct to disc Basie and Coltrane didn't float my boat at all.

Can someone direct me toward laid back, melodic jazz?
TIA,
Hibuck.....

Try any Paul Desmond albums and also Dave Brubeck and Desmond. Almost any Bill Evans Trio albums. Stan Getz, Early Miles Davis (like "Kind Of Blue"), Chet Baker,Red Garland,Barry Harris, Bill Charlap, Dave Hazeltine, Joe Pass. Any of these should give you the kind of jazz you seem to be looking for. I don't consider Coltrane to be melodic except for his early recordings with Miles Davis.
If you want names of albums, I'd be glad to give you all you want.

firedog · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 08:30 pm »

Add in:

Art Pepper

"Meets the Rhythm Section" 1957

"Straight Life" 1980

Not sure I'd call this "laid back", but definitely melodic and pretty.

ZLS · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 08:40 pm »

Anything with Johnny Hodges.
He is the very definition of Melodic Jazz.
Also Lester Young, especially the small groups.
Zoot Sims; look for Zoot Sims and Jimmy Rowles If I'm Lucky.
Ben Webster; along with Johnny Hodges, the best ballad player in Jazz.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Jul 2011, 05:51 am »

Quote

I know I like "older" jazz that is melodic...

Start here.....

Samples...

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 01:20 pm »

Thanks so much for the input. I do have Brubeck and know the other names...just haven't heard them. Now I know where to start. BTW... the Pandora suggestion is a good one...hadn't thought of it.
Hibuck....

eclein · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 01:32 pm »

Pat Metheny
The Pat Metheny Group

Fusion Jazz of today, I first saw them in 1979, changed my life.....

richidoo · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 01:47 pm »

More info on Pandora's Genre Stations:

Genre Stations select music by genre name, not by artist or track name. It is generally a wider take on that kind of music than a station based on one individual artist, so it's good for discovering new music without knowing anything about the artists. If you hear something on a genre station that you like, you can create a new station of that artist, which will specialize towards his particular style.

FAQ: http://blog.pandora.com/faq/contents/11002.html

Within the web player you can find the genre stations here: http://www.pandora.com/#/genres/

If you listen to Pandora with a Squeezbox or Sonos without a web browser, you must add the genre stations using the Pandora web app, then the stations will appear in your Squeezebox Pandora stations in a day or so. You can't select genre stations directly without the web app, not that I found.

Some genre stations (like Bebop) are "shared," which doesn't allow you to like or not tracks to refine the content to your taste. But most of the others do allow learning from your input.
Rich

coldfogey · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 02:07 pm »

Scott Hamilton "Nocturnes & Serenades"
Scott Hamilton "Blues Bop & Ballads
Eddie Higgins Quartet "My Funny Valentine"
Eddie Higgins Quartet "My Foolish Heart"
Harry Edison "Sweets" The last cut, Walken with Sweets is very nice.

jjc1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 06:31 pm »

Now this is Melodic

Devil Doc · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 06:37 pm »

The Three M's. Miles, Mingus, Monk. Anyone that's anybody has played with them, so they're a good place to start your journey.

Doc.

BrysTony · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 07:49 pm »

Here is one that fits what you are looking for:

Tony

lounge Audio · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 Jul 2011, 08:34 pm »

Try
Modern Jazz Performances Of Songs From My Fair Lady
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jazz-Performances-Songs-Fair/dp/B000000YIN/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312144418&sr=1-1

ArthurDent · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 Jul 2011, 11:41 pm »

a couple more suggestions........

Samples

The Modern Jazz Quartet, most of Milt Jacksons solo work. Lots of ground to cover, good hunting & happy listening.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Aug 2011, 12:47 am »

Quote from: lounge Audio on 31 Jul 2011, 08:34 pm

Try
Modern Jazz Performances Of Songs From My Fair Lady
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jazz-Performances-Songs-Fair/dp/B000000YIN/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312144418&sr=1-1

Boy, that one takes me back to jr high!

Jazzman53 · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Aug 2011, 01:02 am »

You can't go wrong with these selections:

lounge Audio · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Aug 2011, 02:20 am »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 1 Aug 2011, 12:47 am

Boy, that one takes me back to jr high!