Jazz...........?

Anyone? Or just me?

Absolutely. Just about any and everything from Charlie Parker to Laura Fygi.

Yeah, I have wide tastes too. I think my absolute favourite is Dizzy Gillespie. But I like all the old blue note stuff, and plenty of modern stuff too - from Jean Luc Ponty to Clare Teal and Claire Martin. And I actually love MOR stuff like Swing out sister, too. Sorry - but it's true. I play a fair bit of jazz, both on my flute and in my recorder ensemble.

Currently listening mainly to Mo Kauffman, Claude Bolling, and Silje Nergaard.

sheringham wrote:Yeah, I have wide tastes too. I think my absolute favourite is Dizzy Gillespie. But I like all the old blue note stuff, and plenty of modern stuff too - from Jean Luc Ponty to Clare Teal and Claire Martin. And I actually love MOR stuff like Swing out sister, too. Sorry - but it's true. I play a fair bit of jazz, both on my flute and in my recorder ensemble.

Currently listening mainly to Mo Kauffman, Claude Bolling, and Silje Nergaard.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with a bit of Swing Out Sister every now and again. I'm currently listening to Laura Fygi Live at Ronnie Scott's - a wonderfully relaxing experience. But now you've mentioned him I really must delve into Dizzy again sometime during the week. Perhaps complimented by a touch of Oscar Peterson.

Sid Seadevil wrote:

sheringham wrote:Yeah, I have wide tastes too. I think my absolute favourite is Dizzy Gillespie. But I like all the old blue note stuff, and plenty of modern stuff too - from Jean Luc Ponty to Clare Teal and Claire Martin. And I actually love MOR stuff like Swing out sister, too. Sorry - but it's true. I play a fair bit of jazz, both on my flute and in my recorder ensemble.

Currently listening mainly to Mo Kauffman, Claude Bolling, and Silje Nergaard.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with a bit of Swing Out Sister every now and again. I'm currently listening to Laura Fygi Live at Ronnie Scott's - a wonderfully relaxing experience. But now you've mentioned him I really must delve into Dizzy again sometime during the week. Perhaps complimented by a touch of Oscar Peterson.

The new SOS album is brilliant.

As for Dizzy - I think my favourite track of all time has to be a tie between Manteca and Bang Bang 9for obvious Josh Donna reasons).

sheringham wrote:The new SOS album is brilliant.

As for Dizzy - I think my favourite track of all time has to be a tie between Manteca and Bang Bang 9for obvious Josh Donna reasons).

Hmmm..thanks for the SOS tip - I'll definitely check it out.

sheringham wrote:Anyone? Or just me?

Not just you, Gill. I'm quite a fan of the beebop era, especially Dave Brubeck. Time Out and Blue Rhondo a la Turk are masterpieces.

Patrick wrote:

sheringham wrote:Anyone? Or just me?

Not just you, Gill. I'm quite a fan of the beebop era, especially Dave Brubeck. Time Out and Blue Rhondo a la Turk are masterpieces.

I've been lucky enough to see Dave Brubeck live more than once (the old Capital Jazz festival used to be a wonderful institution).

Be Bop is great.

sheringham wrote:I've been lucky enough to see Dave Brubeck live more than once (the old Capital Jazz festival used to be a wonderful institution).

Be Bop is great.

Lucky, lucky you. Dave Burbeck had a totally unique sound that stays with you even decades after you last heard one of his sets.

I love jazz... being a clarinet player, I love the big band and swing sounds... Glenn Miller and George Gershwin, though I know it isn't strictly considered jazz...

Cutest thing happened the other day during Art, I asked my year 4's if they'd like to listen to some jazz and they all loved it - too gorgeous!

Jazz is location music for me.

On a stereo at home? Nope, it don't work.
In a smoky club at two in the morning after a long and basically debauched night out? Yes.
Being around musicians when suddenly jazz breaks out? Even more yes.

I am hugely intimidated by jazz.
I just can't seem to ever get a hook into it.
I like certain moods and pieces but I always struggle to identify or locate the artist or piece.

I have two classic Miles Davis albums, but thats about it so far.

Can anyone 'in the know' suggest a few albums to help me break in maybe?

Lee Mansfield wrote:I am hugely intimidated by jazz.
I just can't seem to ever get a hook into it.
I like certain moods and pieces but I always struggle to identify or locate the artist or piece.

I have two classic Miles Davis albums, but thats about it so far.

Can anyone 'in the know' suggest a few albums to help me break in maybe?

That goes for me too....where do I start?
Jazz kinda scares me.....Im totally uncultured when it comes to this genre and want to learn more....

It's such a massive field, though..............

I'd probably suggest getting some sampler CDs. I know compilations can be a bit annoying, but you're more likely to see the variety of styles which fall under the umbrella heading that way, and then be in a better position to delve deeper. itunes essentials are quite good, if you have itunes. WH Smiths used to do a good line in cheapo (under a fiver) jazz CDs in series like: Jazz Masterpieces, Jazz Piano, Jazz trumpet etc....they were all good. Jazz Masterpieces vol 2 is one of my favourite compilation albums ever! Or you could go for greatest hits - Dizzy Gillespie is my personal favourite, but you could also try Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck....the list is so long, you're honestly best off trying some compilations first.

As for vocalists - you can't go wrong with Clare Teal and Claire Martin. Two fabulous singers. Ian shaw is also good. Me, I adore Silje Nergaard but she's possibly more of an acquired taste. If you do give her a go her best album in my opinion is At first light.

Other jazz greats who I love include Jean Luc Ponty, Stephan Grapelli and George Shearing.

itunes is definitely a potential good friend for you both in this endeavour.

sheringham wrote:It's such a massive field, though..............

I'd probably suggest getting some sampler CDs. I know compilations can be a bit annoying, but you're more likely to see the variety of styles which fall under the umbrella heading that way, and then be in a better position to delve deeper. itunes essentials are quite good, if you have itunes. WH Smiths used to do a good line in cheapo (under a fiver) jazz CDs in series like: Jazz Masterpieces, Jazz Piano, Jazz trumpet etc....they were all good. Jazz Masterpieces vol 2 is one of my favourite compilation albums ever! Or you could go for greatest hits - Dizzy Gillespie is my personal favourite, but you could also try Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck....the list is so long, you're honestly best off trying some compilations first.

As for vocalists - you can't go wrong with Clare Teal and Claire Martin. Two fabulous singers. Ian shaw is also good. Me, I adore Silje Nergaard but she's possibly more of an acquired taste. If you do give her a go her best album in my opinion is At first light.

Other jazz greats who I love include Jean Luc Ponty, Stephan Grapelli and George Shearing.

itunes is definitely a potential good friend for you both in this endeavour.

May I add two names to this list? First, Vince Guaraldi, who emassed a ton of nice stuff scoring the Charlie Brown/Peanuts specials. And second, Ramsey Lewis, whose stuff is eminently listenable.

The first band I was ever in was a youth jazz quintet. I played trombone. I was very poor...