My first Jazz cd

I can't quibble (much) with most of the items listed, but all of the CDs I've listed below will give you great jazz without scaring the bejesus out of you, especially if you digest them more or less in the order shown:

1) Bill Evans-Waltz for Debby-or Sunday at the Village Vanguard
2) Miles Davis-Kind of Blue
3) Chico Freeman-Spirit Sensitive
4) Tommy Flanagan-Sea Changes
5) Modern Jazz Quartet-The Last Concert (It wasn't, but get it anyway!)
6) Clifford Brown/Max Roach-Any of the EmArcy reissues
7) Duke Ellington-Newport '58: The fairly recent 2CD reissue on Columbia where they actually blended separate mono tapes into a convincing stereo mix
8) John Coltrane-Giant Steps
9) Thelonious Monk: Brilliant Corners
10) Miles Davis/Gil Evans-The Columbia sampler CD of the big band sessions compiled from the boxed set
11) Charles Mingus: Tijuana Moods
12) Ornette Coleman-The Shape of Jazz To Come
13) Dave Douglas-Stargazer

Well, that's a lot more than one, but it is a pretty good Baker's Dozen that will give you an overview of jazz in the past half century.

Please consider buying a good tuner(if you don't already have one) and listen to as many Jazz programs as you can. Most public broadcasting and local college stations will have a Jazz program or two...or more, that will open new worlds for you. Also take in live Jazz in your area.

By listening to FM programs..and live events, your Jazz CD and album purchasing will be more accurate.

Best, Jim

I second the Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" album as well as the John Coltrane "Blue Train". I also recommend Duke Ellington : "Live at Newport". Even though it's a live recording it's a great album. If your looking for more modern jazz, look into Joshua Redmond's "Beyond" album. I think this is his newest one and it's also a great album. I could go on and on about other jazz artists, just start listening and have fun.

Thanks for all the great replies!

I had an interesting coincidence today in that Time Life called my house trying to sell their music series. How could I saw no. I ordered the Jazz series.

SdCampbell. Thanks for the tip. It will have to wait to after christmas but I have no problem spending 60 bucks for a book. I find college text books some of the best books I have read. Sometimes I wish my music and movie library. were as good as my book library. Give me a time to listen to the new cd's and I will then take you up on that offer of further discusion.

Marakanetz: Instead of giving my music prefrences of what I currently own I want to keep an especially open mind. I am a little tired of the same old music all the time and I really want to try something completely new.

Many of the artist that were recommended are on that cd series so I think it was a smart start.

Thanks again and I will let you all know how it is.

I've huge jazz collection that I've started 7 years ago.
I knew pretty much about Chet Baker, Charlie Parker, Jerry Mulligan etc... But I could listen to them on the radio and that was good enough for me.

My first jazz records were Chick Corea's -- Mad Hatter, Lary Corryel -- 11 House, Carla Bley -- European tour 1977.

This jazz is different from traditional jazz of Charlie Parker and has some "rock flavours" once in a while.

I've been motivated for jazz by listening Frank Zappa that always had "jazz flavours" in his rock.