Starter Kit

Finding your way to jazz can seem like a daunting task. Whether you are just beginning your journey or looking to add some choice recordings to your collection, the Jazz Online Starter Kit can set you on the right path. Each recording represents the lasting contribution of some of the most influential forces in jazz. Though this list only scratches the jazz surface, there is no better place to start.

Louis Armstrong & Oscar Peterson
“Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson”
Louis blows and sings and Oscar swings all the way – two legends at their best.
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Chet Baker
“My Funny Valentine”
Classic Chet – stylish and romantic trumpet and vocals.
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Count Basie
“April in Paris”
Brilliant Basie – say no more.
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George Benson
“Breezin'”
Contemporary crossover milestone and still going strong.
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Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
“The Big Beat”
The premier school of Blakey.
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Clifford Brown & Max Roach
“Study in Brown”
Stellar showcase of two of the finest in jazz.
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Dave Brubeck
“Time Out
Turned an entire generation onto jazz.
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Betty Carter
“The Audience with Betty Carter”
Her voice is her instrument – fearless and fabulous.
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Ornette Coleman
“The Shape of Jazz To Come”
Profound and intense improvisational bliss.
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John Coltrane
“A Love Supreme”
Quintessential Coltrane – More than a must.
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Chick Corea/Return To Forever
“Light As A Feather”
Powerhouse fusion with originality.
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Miles Davis
“Kind of Blue”
The greatest of all time – if you can only own one CD…
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Miles Davis
“Four and More”
A brilliant band just burnin’ – unforgettable.
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Miles Davis
“In A Silent Way”
Moody Miles embarking upon electric funk.
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Duke Ellington
“Uptown”
Duke is King and elegance swings,
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Bill Evans Trio
“At the Village Vanguard”
The bible for the majority of modern jazz pianists.
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Ella Fitzgerald
“Pure Ella”
The First Lady of Song at her finest.
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Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto
“Getz/Gilberto”
Jazz and Bossa Nova soul mates.
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Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt
“Sonny Side Up”
Diz and two Sonnys blow up a storm.
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Benny Goodman
“Live at Carnegie Hall 1939”
“Sing, Sing, Sing” says it all.
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Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny
“Beyond The Missouri Sky”
Two modern day masters in an intimate duo setting – a can’t miss pick.
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Herbie Hancock
“Headhunters”
One Word: F-U-N-K
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Johnny Hartman & John Coltrane
“Johnny Hartman & John Coltrane”
A musical marriage made in heaven.
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Billie Holiday
“All or Nothing At All”
Lady Day swings on the classic songbook.
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Al Jarreau
“Look To The Rainbow”
The real deal that set the bar for contemporary jazz vocalists.
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Keith Jarrett Trio
“Tribute”
Better than brilliant.
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John Klemmer
“Touch”
Groovy and moody contemporary tenor.
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Charles Lloyd At Monterey
“Forest Flower”
One of the greatest live performances EVER recorded in jazz.
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Mahavishnu Orchestra
“Inner Mounting Flame”
World Fusion – Wow!
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Brad Mehldau Trio
“Brad Mehldau Trio Live”
A trifecta.
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Pat Metheny Group
“Pat Metheny Group”
Vintage PMG set the standard.
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Charles Mingus
“Mingus Ah Um”
Rich feel, grit, humor and originality.
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Charlie Parker
“Charlie Parker”
Bird is the improv master.
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Tito Puente
“Dance Mania”
Hot, sensational and down right fun.
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Joshua Redman
“Moodswing”
The new guard speaks – are you listening?
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David Sanborn
“Heart To Heart”
Contemporary jazz’s founding father still rules.
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Pharoah Sanders
“Karma”
Free jazz for one and for all.
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Mongo Santamaria
“Watermelon Man”
Influential and impressive latin percussion.
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Carmen McRae
“The Great American Songbook”
A soulful and stylish vocal treasure.
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Sun Ra
“Space is the Place”
Innovative, controversial and adventurous – are you up for it?
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Cal Tjader
“Soul Sauce”
Distinctive grooves and very tasty!
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Weather Report
“Heavy Weather”
Bar none – fusion at its finest.
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Cassandra Wilson
“New Moon Daughter”
A Diva for the millenium.
Purchase: Amazon | iTunes