Old Wine, New Millenium:
Picking Jazz Recordings To Go

Jon "Bud" King

(Ed. Note: From time to time we receive requests from people who are discovering the joys of jazz and are in need of a list of recommended recordings. While there are many different ways to skin that cat, here is one JAM reader's take on some essential albums both novice and pro alike can enjoy.)


"Why don't you write a piece listing your indispensable jazz recordings?" my wife prompted me, as she observed my struggle with self-discovery.

And so I did.

I am a jazz fan. But not a jazz critic. That would be hypocritical, given my belief that reading about jazz is like reading about food. To me, so-and-so's rehash of xyz's rendition of "Body and Soul," in which the music is described as "devilishly virtuosic," makes no hay... even if the writer is, um, virtuosic. My reading about jazz kindles only two responses: 1) I wish I could play, and 2) jazz is a business, after all. So, that's why I prefer my innocence. And my fan status.

Picking my favorite offerings turned out to be no trifle. And I apologize if my methodology seems biased. Remember, I'm simply a guy who happens to love jazz. Also, my choices appear to underrate certain styles: Dixieland, swing, and free jazz in particular. Fans can be like that. Maybe I can explain it better by saying that my favorite recordings sport an ingredient of magical surprise -- original, pure, connect-with-the-listener surprise.

I highly recommend these works. You will hear magic.

• Louis Armstrong -- Ambassador Satch
  (1956), Columbia CL 840
  
• Shelly Manne & His Friends -- My Fair Lady
  (1956), Contemporary S-7527
  
• Stan Getz/J.J. Johnson -- Getz & J.J. at The Opera House
  (1957), Verve 831 272-2 ('86)
  
• Gerry Mulligan -- Paris Concert
  (1957), World Pacific WP-1210
  
• Bob Brookmeyer -- Kansas City Revisited
  (1958), United Artists UAS-5008 ('84)
  
• Louis Armstrong -- Louie & the Dukes of Dixieland
  (1960), Audio Fidelity AFSD 5924
  
• Art Farmer/Benny Golson -- Meet the Jazztet
  (1960), MCA/Chess CHD-91550 ('90)
  
• John Lewis -- The Golden Striker
  (1960), Atlantic SD-1334
  
• Gerry Mulligan -- Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band On Tour w/guest soloist: Zoot Sims
  (1960), Verve V/V6-8438
  
• Andre Previn -- West Side Story
  (1960), Contemporary S 7572
  
• Nina Simone -- Nina at Newport
  (1960), Colpix CP 412
  
• The Three Sounds -- Moods
  (1960), Blue Note 4044
  
• Pee Wee Russell/Coleman Hawkins -- Jazz Reunion
  (1961), Candid 8020
  
• George Shearing Quintet w/Nancy Wilson -- The Swingin's Mutual
  (1961), Capitol Jazz CDP 7 99190 2 ('92)
  
• Horace Silver -- Doin' the Thing
  (1961), Blue Note 4076
  
• Mel Torme' -- Comin' Home, Baby
  (1962), Atlantic 8069
  
• James Moody -- Great Day
  (1963), Argo LP-725
  
• Paul Winter -- New Jazz on Campus
  (1963), Columbia CS 8864
  
• J.J. Johnson -- Proof Positive
  (1964), Impulse A-68
  
• Oliver Nelson -- More Blues and the Abstract Truth
  (1964), Impulse A-75
  
• Shirley Scott -- Queen of the Organ
  (1964), Impulse GRD-123 ('93)
  
• John Coltrane -- The John Coltrane Quartet Plays
  (1965), Impulse A-85
  
• Eddie Harris -- The In Sound
  (1965), Atlantic SD 1448
  
• Jimmy Smith -- Organ Grinder Swing
  (1965), Verve V/V6-8628
  
• Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer -- Tonight
  (1965), Mainstream S/6043
  
• Gary McFarland -- Profiles
  (1966), Impulse A-9112
  
• Sonny Rollins -- Alfie
  (1966), Impulse A-9111
  
• Charles Lloyd -- Love-In
  (1967), Atlantic SD 1481
  
• Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland -- Fire, Heat, Soul & Guts
  (1968), Prestige PR 7634
  
• Buddy Rich -- Mercy, Mercy
  (1968), World Pacific ST-20133
  
• George Benson -- The Other Side of Abbey Road
  (1969), A&M SP 3028
  
• Thad Jones/Mel Lewis -- Central Park North
  (1969), Solid State SS 18058
  
• Quincy Jones -- Gula Matari
  (1970), A&M SP 3030
  
• Larry Coryell -- Larry Coryell at the Village Gate
  (1971), Vanguard VSD-6573
  
• Stan Getz -- Dynasty
  (1971), Verve 839117-2 ('89)
  
• Buddy Rich -- Very Live at Buddy's Place
  (1971), Groove Merchant GM 3301
  
• Gene Ammons -- Gene Ammons and Friends at Montreux
  (1973), Prestige P-10078
  
• Conte Candoli/Frank Rosolino -- Conversation
  (1973), RCA TPL1-1509
  
• Cedar Walton -- A Night at Boomer's, Vol. 2
  (1973), Muse MR 5022
  
• Stan Kenton -- Kenton '76
  (1976), Creative World ST 1076
  
• Phineas Newborn, Jr. -- Back Home
  (1976), Contemporary OJCCD-971-2 (C-7648) ('98)
  
• Cal Tjader -- At Grace Cathedral
  (1977), Fantasy F-9521
  
• John Klemmer -- Nexus
  (1979), Arista/Novus AN2 3500
  
• Weather Report -- 8:30
  (1979), Columbia PC2 36030
  
• Miles Davis -- We Want Miles
  (1982), Columbia C2 38005
  
• Freddie Hubbard/Oscar Peterson -- Face to Face
  (1982), Pablo 2310-876
  
• Maynard Ferguson -- Live From San Francisco
  (1983), PAJ PA 8077
  
• Shelly Manne -- In Zurich
  (1984), Contemporary C-14018
  
• Archie Shepp/Chet Baker -- In Memory Of
  (1988), Optimism, Inc. LR CD-5006
  
• Mose Allison -- My Backyard
  (1990), Blue Note CDP 7 938402
  
• Barry Harris -- Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 12
  (1991), Concord Jazz CCD-4476
  
• Gene Harris -- Like a Lover
  (1992), Concord Jazz CCD-4526
  
• Gerry Mulligan -- Rebirth of the Cool
  (1992), GRP Records GRD-9679
  
• Lou Rawls -- Portrait of the Blues
  (1992), Manhattan CDP 0777 7 99548 2 7
  
• Karrin Allyson -- Sweet Home Cookin'
  (1994), Concord Jazz CCD-4593
  
• Great Guitars (Byrd/Kessel/Ellis) -- Great Guitars at Charlie's Georgetown
  (1994), Concord Jazz CCD-4209
  
• Dave Brubeck -- Dave Brubeck Jazz Collection
  (1995), Legacy/Columbia C2K 64160
  
• Lonnie Smith -- Purple Haze
  (1995), Musicmasters 01612-65135-2
  
• McCoy Tyner -- Infinity
  (1995), Impulse IMPD-171
  
• Kevin Mahogany -- Kevin Mahogany
  (1996), Warner Brothers 9 46226-2
  
• Dizzy Gillespie -- Bird Songs, The Final Recordings
  (1997), Telarc CD-83421
  
• Eddie Harris -- The Last Concert
  (1997), ACT 9249-2
  
• Andy LaVerne Quartet -- Four Miles
  (1997), Worldly Triloka 314 536 186-2
  
• Michel Petrucciani -- Both Worlds
  (1997), Dreyfus Jazz FDM 36590-2
  
• Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette -- Tokyo '96
  (1998), ECM 1666 78118-21666-2
  
• Oscar Peterson/Benny Green -- Oscar & Benny
  (1998) -- Telarc CD-83406
  
• Etta James -- Heart Of a Woman
  (1998), Private Music 01005-82180-2
  
• Chuck Mangione -- The Feeling's Back
  (1999), Chesky JD 184
  

Bud King is a writer/promoter who resides in Kansas with his wife, three children, a cat, and a retired trombone. He can be reached at: gnik@gateway.net


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