My first Jazz cd

Hi, Perfectimage. About 6-9 months ago, there were a number of threads about jazz recordings, and various members (me included) posted threads talking about what they thought were the "essential" jazz recordings. You might want to look in the A-gon archives for more on this topic.

Your idea to subscribe to the Time-Life series has merit, as it will acquaint you with a number of artists, as well as giving you samples of music you might otherwise not hear. You could also buy the CD's that were released earlier this year as part of Ken Burn's PBS documentary on jazz. Additionally, you might want to rent some or all of Ken Burn's documentary on jazz. Your public library may have this series, as well as Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.

My other suggestion is one that I have offered several times on this forum: buy a book called "Jazz Styles: History and Analysis", by Mark C. Gridley (published, as I recall, by Houghton Mifflin). His book is used widely as a text in college courses on jazz, and it is an excellent book. It is easy to read, not terribly technical, and will give you a real "jump start" on understanding and enjoying jazz, America's classical music. The book also contains a discography of recommended jazz recordings. The only downside is cost -- I think the book sells for about $60 (the price for college texts is obscene). Don't be put off by the idea the book is a text, because the book is neither dry nor particularly "academic" . Infact, I'll make you a "can't lose" proposition: if you buy the book and don't like it, I'll buy the book back from you and donate my earlier edition to the public library.

I have been a serious jazz buff for about 40 years, taught a course in jazz appreciation, and have about 3500 jazz recordings, so I'd be glad to play "mentor" if that would be helpful. If you'd like to drop me a personal E-mail, I'd be glad to talk more with you. You might also include your home phone number and I'll give you a call.

To close, the best recommendation I can make for your first jazz CD is Miles Davis' great recording, "Kind of Blue", which has been rated as the #1 jazz recording of all time in many jazz polls.

My personal favorite disk : Dexter Gordon "Our Man in Paris". Fabulous sultry tenor sax by my favorite sax player. Recorded in 1950s so quality is not the same as modern day, but still a very pleasing sound. Everyone I have played it for enjoys it.

Here is my wisdom:
Whoever sais that one album is recorded better than the other album you shouldn't pay attention for it. You should only pay attention on how you like this music first. Otherwise you might be in the situation when you will play a small part of fantastically recorded CD or record, realize that it sounds very good, but then you would switch it for something that turns you up for real and let it be not as good recorded.

And finally who knows -- maybe you won't like jazz at all?

BTW: what kind of music have you been listening always?
That can give me idea to tell you precisely what you might like since Jazz has lots of kinds as well.

About 10 yrs ago, I decided I wanted to start a jazz collection, and my guide was an article/list in Rolling Stone called "The 100 Essential Jazz Recordings" or something like that. I saved the article, because after buying about half the items on the list I had to agree that the recordings and artists were fantastic and that I was actually learning a lot about jazz and which styles/eras/artists I preferred. Send me your address (postal rather than email) and I will xerox you a copy of the list. It really provided a great starting point for me.