what is considered the greatest jazz album of all time

What are the best jazz albums ever?

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What is the best selling jazz album?

The 50 Best Jazz Albums of All Time (Essential Listening Guide)

1. Miles Davis: Kind of Blue. Kind of Blue (1959) is the top jazz album on most ‘best-of’ lists and is cited as jazz’s biggest-seller.
2. John Coltrane: A Love Supreme. This 1964 classic takes the form of a four-part suite: ‘Acknowledgement’, ‘Resolution’, ‘Pursuance’ and ‘Psalm’.
3. Charles Mingus: Mingus Ah Um. ...
4. Ornette Coleman: The Shape of Jazz to Come. ...

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Who are the most popular jazz artists?

Owens Jr. is a drummer and percussionist who has played on two Grammy winning albums. From the floor to the balcony, Murry’s was rocked Sunday night by Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, playing original pieces and contemporary jazz compositions to a packed house. The quintet is comprised of five artists from across the United States.

Who is the best jazz singer of all time?

Who were the original performers of jazz music?

• of 10. Scott Joplin (1868–1917) S Limbert/Flickr/Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic.
• of 10. Buddy Bolden (1877–1931)
• of 10. King Oliver (1885–1938)
• of 10. Nick LaRocca (1889–1961)
• of 10. Jelly Roll Morton (1890–1941)
• of 10. James P.
• of 10. Sidney Bechet (1897–1959)
• of 10. Louis Armstrong (1901–1971)

What is regarded as the best jazz album of all time?

Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis While it is one of the top selling jazz albums of all time, many consider this to be THE best jazz album of all time. This may be because this unrehearsed recording session from 1959 marks a great turning point in jazz history as well as showcasing the top form of some legendary musicians.

Who is considered the best jazz?

Miles Davis, the trumpeter whose lyrical playing and ever-changing style made him a touchstone of 20th Century music, has been voted the greatest jazz artist of all time.The musician beat the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday - all of whom made the top 10.More items...•

Who is the artist of the best selling jazz album of all time?

Saxophonist Kenny GSaxophonist Kenny G (USA) is the world's best-selling jazz musician, with 15 gold, 11 platinum and 8 multi-platinum albums to his name, as well as total sales of over 75 million as of February 2011.

Why is a love supreme the best jazz album of all time?

“A Love Supreme” has a lyrical, emotional quality. The suite swells ecstatically and hushes dramatically. It has the conversational cadences of a prayer, and the transcendent quality of a dream. The final movement, “Psalm,” was conceptualized as a musical recitation of a devotional poem included in the liner notes.

Who is considered the king of jazz?

Paul WhitemanPaul Whiteman, (born March 28, 1890, Denver, Colorado, U.S.—died December 29, 1967, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S.), American bandleader, called the “King of Jazz” for popularizing a musical style that helped to introduce jazz to mainstream audiences during the 1920s and 1930s.

Who is the most famous jazz band?

10 of the greatest jazz groups, bands, orchestrasMiles Davis Quintet (1965–1968) ... Miles Davis Quintet (1955–1957) ... Art Ensemble of Chicago. ... Duke Ellington's Jazz Orchestra. ... The Count Basie Orchestra. ... The Jazz Messengers. ... The Cab Calloway Orchestra. ... Dizzy Gillespie.

What was the first jazz album to go platinum?

HeadhuntersHerbie Hancock's 1973 album "Headhunters" was was the first jazz album to go platinum, and the best-selling jazz record of all time to that point. It brought the sound of rock in the jazz world and in the process, angered many purists.

Which music album sold the most?

Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album.

Who plays the first sax solo on so what?

The piece is made up of a jazz sextet, with Miles Davis on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Cannonball Adderly on Alto Saxophone, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on Drums. The piece follows a 32 bar AABA structure, both during the melodic line and during the solos.

Is kind of blue the best jazz album?

It remains the best-selling jazz album of all time. Its unforgettable solos by Davis, tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, and pianist Bill Evans create an ethereal atmosphere; the album continues to be one of the most beloved records in jazz.

Is A Love Supreme a good album?

Coltrane's playing; A Love Supreme is a fine jazz album, and more. It reaches a depth of emotional power rarely sounded in jazz. Coltrane's playing is powerful, as it is elsewhere, and lyrical, as it is elsewhere, but nowhere else does the man reach such a fullness of both these qualities at the same time.

What kind of jazz is A Love Supreme?

Modal jazz avant-garde jazzA Love SupremeRecordedDecember 9, 1964StudioVan Gelder Studio (Englewood Cliffs)GenreModal jazz avant-garde jazz free jazz hard bop post-bopLength33:027 more rows

Where did jazz originate?

After all, when we talk about jazz, we’re really talking about a 100-year movement. Starting from the roots in New Orleans Jazz, through swing, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, fusion, and so many more styles.

How many songs are in Billie Holiday's album?

Though originally released as an eight song 10” record, the album was expanded to 12 tracks and retitled Solitude in 1956. Billie Holiday remains a legendary jazz singer, much like her main influence and sometimes collaborator, Louis Armstrong.

Why is Charles Mingus called the angry man of jazz?

Charles Mingus was sometimes known as the Angry Man of Jazz due to his loud and aggressive temperament. But it might just be that he was a hardworking perfectionist who wanted everything in its place. That certainly happened on 1959’s Mingus Ah Um, an album of much-deserved admiration.

How many songs are there in the album "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"?

The nine tracks on this much-loved album are all highly thematic and evocative. Many are even specific tributes to jazz greats, like “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” for saxophonist Lester Young and “Jelly Roll” for pianist Jelly Roll Morton. As a bass player and composer extraordinaire, Mingus shines on this record while at the same time letting his talented band get some too.

When was Satchmo's first album?

So we chose Satchmo at Symphony Hall, a live concert he recorded in 1947 and which was released as an album in 1951 . For good reason.

What was Duke Ellington's style of music?

Duke Ellington’s swing style had long gone out of style by 1956, and his career was flagging.

Who was the greatest jazz singer of all time?

Louis Armstrong (1901 – 1971). teamed up with Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) arguably the greatest jazz singer of all time. Fitzgerald’s voice is smooth and fluid, and Armstrong’s is earthy and deep. Even so, their personalities complimented each other well, and they had success on this first record. Ella and Louis Again and Porgy and Bess. a selection of songs from the opera.

What year did Louis Armstrong release his greatest hits?

The All-Time Greatest Hits of Louis Armstrong is one of the most jazz records sold that was released in the year 1994.

Who was the jazz pianist who sang the piano starts here?

Arthur Tatum Jr. (1909-1956) was widely regarded as jazz great. He included a few live tracks from 1949 on his Piano Starts Here compilation, including 1930s classics such as ‘Tea for Two,’ ‘Sophisticated Lady’, and ‘Tiger Rag’. The album is fresh, swinging, and incredibly impressive technically, making it a must-listen for every jazz pianist as well as non-jazz fans.

Who was the composer of the swing era?

William James “Count” Basie (1904-1984) was a jazz organist, pianist, bandleader, and composer. In the minds of many, the swing era of the 1940s and 1950s embodied the excitement and power of jazz music. Count Basie composed numerous classics during this time period. On his 1958 album, Count Basie and the Second Testament Orchestra perform arrangements and compositions by Neal Hefti.

What is the spiritual jazz of John Coltrane?

A disciple of John Coltrane, in whose band he played between 1965 and 1967, this Arkansas saxophonist and astral traveler was a key architect of what became known as spiritual jazz, an explorative blend of cosmic otherworldliness, eastern mysticism, and Afrocentrism, which flourished in the late 60s and early 70s. Arguably his greatest album, Karma was Sanders’ second long-player for Impulse! and contained only two tracks; an epic 33-minute meditation called “The Creator Has A Master Plan,” featuring a mantra-like refrain sung by avant-garde singer Leon Thomas, whose resonant tones also reverberate on “Colors,” a slow, shimmering tone poem garnished with waves of sibilant percussion.#N#Key track: “The Creator Has A Master Plan”

When was Dave Brubeck's Time Out album released?

Released in 1959 – the year that Ornette Coleman produced his game-changing free jazz manifesto, The Shape Of Jazz To Come – California pianist Dave Brubeck proved that jazz didn’t have to be wild and way out to be revolutionary and innovative. Time Out album finds Brubeck’s classic quartet (featuring the eloquent Paul Desmond on alto sax) experimenting with a range of unorthodox time signatures but still managing to balance sonic exploration with an accessible selection of tunes. The album spawned an unlikely hit single in 5/4 time (the jaunty, Desmond-written “Take Five”) and went on to sell over a million copies.#N#Key track: “Take Five”

What is the name of the band that played with Miles Davis?

After rising to fame with Miles Davis at the end of the 60s (on the proto jazz-rock/fusion albums In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew ), Doncaster-born guitar magus John McLaughlin formed The Mahavishnu Orchestra, a quintet that married the virtuosity of jazz improv with the high-decibel power of heavy rock to create a hybrid that was then infused with Eastern mysticism. This, their debut album, was an incendiary confection of searing guitar and violin lines jousting over churning rhythm tracks played in unusual time signatures. The group’s harshest detractors damned them as pretentious and self-indulgent, but, amazingly, they achieved mainstream success, particularly in America, where they were wholeheartedly embraced. Recorded by the first of several incarnations of the band, The Inner Mounting Flame is undoubtedly The Mahavishnu Orchestra’s best album and still astonishes today.#N#Key track: “The Dance Of Maya”

What era was jazz music?

The jazz albums listed below are among the greatest ever recorded. Mostly selected from the golden "modern" jazz music era of 1940's to the 1970's, these recordings captured the great passion and emotion that these musicians spent a lifetime developing.

Who was the first jazz superstar?

Louis Armstrong is jazz's first superstar and this album showcases him at his best. Recorded in 1957, this album was Coltrane's first album as a leader. It's very interesting to hear how Coltrane was playing before he started heading to the freer, passionate playing that he later developed in the mid 60's.

Who was the first jazz artist to record at Columbia Records?

Charles Mingus is one of the more interesting characters to grace the jazz scene, and Mingus Ah Um marked a huge milestone in his incredible career. This record was the first that Mingus would record at Columbia Records, and was his greatest work.

What is it like to listen to jazz?

Listening to a jazz record is like being taken on a journey, with the musicians as your guide. Sometimes you know exactly where the journey’s headed, but most of the time your guide takes you through tons of twists and turns you never expected, leaving you pleasantly surprised when you get back home.

What style of jazz did Davis use?

Davis broke the mold, opting for a more relaxed style that would pave the way for an entire subgenre of modal jazz. Many have argued that this album is the most influential in the history of jazz. Dozens of artists that came after would model themselves after Davis’ smooth, laid-back grooves on this record.

What is Hancock's most pure song?

Some would argue for Head Hunters as his best, a fusion of funk, rock, and jazz, but Maiden Voyage is Hancock at his most pure, and that’s why we included it on this list.

Who is the conductor on the improvised jazz record?

On this record, Dolphy plays the conductor, coordinating a group of top-notch musicians (Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis, and Tony Williams) and guiding them through the improvisation process. The result is a masterpiece in improvised jazz and an excellent final bout for a career ended too short.

Who is the shape of jazz to come?

Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come. This wasn’t Ornette Coleman’ s first effort. Early in his career, he made two records (Something Else!!!! and Tomorrow Is The Question) for Contemporary, a California label run by Lester Koenig.

Who was the singer that played with Jimmy Knepper?

Accompanied by Jimmy Knepper, John Handy, Booker Ervin, and others, Mingus crafted a distinctive sound, mixing elements of bop, gospel, and blues to create something all his own.

Who was the first jazz singer to play with Horace Silver?

Blakey was in on the ground floor when it came to the evolution of hard bop into soul jazz, having co-led the first Jazz Messengers with Horace Silver back in 1956. By 1958 he’d gone through a number of versions of the band, with this becoming the blueprint version for the next half a decade. With Benny Golson and Bobby Timmons supplying hard bop anthems such as the title tune, ‘Along Came Betty’ and ‘Blues March’, and the front line soloists refining their long, elaborate post-bop lines into the shorter and more pithy soul-based hard bop lines of the late 1950s, this Blakey band, and this Blakey album, defined soul jazz. (KS)

Who invented the jazz organ?

It’s that simple: Jimmy Smith invented modern jazz organ and this is the album (in fact, volume one of two quickly-released volumes recorded at the same February 1956 sessions) where he announced his arrival. From the off, Blue Note was looking for commercial success and his version of ‘The Champ’, though not the first Jimmy Smith Blue Note single (on Volume two rather than Volume one), delivered big time. By then the first album had delivered a blues-plus-bebop blueprint for the jazz organ trio that Smith would subsequently develop, refine and occasionally revise, but that stayed remarkably consistent in content and quality over the next decade. (KS)

What is the best selling album of Stanko?

It could have been Stanko masterpieces Litania or Leosia that made this list, but Soul of Things, with a trio of young Polish musicians he mentored since their early teens, is his best selling album for ECM and more than any other brought him to the attention of international audiences. It also contributed to the growing awareness outside Europe, particularly in the United States, that important music was coming out of the old world. An album of precisely focused moods, fragments of melody are crafted into masterful compositions shaped by the timeless elegance of Stanko’s trumpet and the copacetic playing of his young protégés. (SN)

What label did Ra make his music on?

Ra had been making albums for his own label Saturn for a decade by the time this one slipped out via ESP-Disk, but this was the first to make a wide impact due not only to the unprecedented nature of the music (some tracks sound closer to Tibetan Buddhist music than anything being played in the America at the time) but also to the fact that ESP-Disk, a tiny label making a big noise at the time, actually got distributed outside of Chicago and New York and even made a splash internationally. Ra was on the vinyl map and never looked back. Next stop, Jupiter. (KS)

What is the Nordic blues?

A key recording that more than any other defined the Nordic Tone in jazz, a Scandinavian kind of blues that places intensity, tone, space and meaning ahead of virtuosic athleticism. Taking ages old Swedish folk melodies from Svenska Låtar and then interpreting them from a jazz perspective, Johansson’s carefully nuanced sound, the gradation of his touch, the exquisite detail of every note revealed by the meticulous recording quality captured a unique approach to jazz that has become widely influential. Players such as Mike Brecker, Tommy Smith, Jan Garbarek, Esbjörn Svensson, Tord Gustavsen all were to come under the spell of the Nordic Tone. (SN)

What was the name of the jazz group that Jarrett joined?

Jarrett burst onto the international jazz scene as part of the ground-breaking Charles Lloyd Quartet of the latter 1960s, moved on to running his own trio, briefly joined in with the Miles Davis electronic voodoo soups of the early 1970s, then retreated to acoustic music and a re-examination of what he was attempting to achieve in his music. This led to something of a temporary eclipse in his profile in the first half of the 1970s, although his creativity continued to diversify and deepen. An adept at solo recitals (his Facing You for ECM in 1970 was a strong harbinger), he began a series of in-concert recitals for Manfred Eicher’s label that attracted acclaim and increasing public interest, but no-one was prepared for what happened to The Köln Concert when it appeared. A long series of intensely rhythmical improvisations that became hypnotic and endlessly repeatable on turntables throughout the world, the album became a runaway bestseller by word of mouth, rapidly escaping the confines of the jazz listeners’ community and spreading into the living rooms of people who never ever listened to, let alone owned, another jazz album. This remains the case with Jarrett and with the record, which is not only a jazz turning-point in its own right but one of the biggest-selling discs in the genre. (KS)

Is Hill a jazz pianist?

Hill’s is of course a multi-faced talent – a brilliant pianist and improviser, he is also one of jazz’s outstanding composer-arrangers. This album emphasises the latter talents: he uses his highly personal sense of composition and instrumental colour much as Jelly Roll Morton did back in the late 1920s, bringing out sensational new sonorities and ideas between the select group of musicians he is using here and goading them to some of their most eloquent playing, individually and collectively. When those musicians include the front line we have here, that makes for some very special music indeed. Depending on which CD version you come across this can be a straight version of the vinyl original or contain two extra alternative takes. (KS)