Jazz Listening List

Suggested Jazz Listening

This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive listening list. Rather, it is offered as a place to begin for those students who want to start collecting credible jazz recordings that would improve their performance and enhance their enjoyment of the idiom.

For suggestions on how to locate and/or order CDs go to the HELP FILE.

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Last Update: November 3, 2003

Jamey Aebersold: Volume 1 - A New Approach To Jazz Improvisation, a play-a-long CD for the beginning to intermediate jazz student. This is the definitive resource for anyone who wants to gain jazz improvisational proficiency. The CD comes with a 40+ page book which contains the chord changes and plenty of information on how to get started. This is a self-contained audio course for the wind musician. Click here if you want to order the CD at the Aebersold web site. If you are a bassist or pianist you will also need to order the companion Bass Lines from Volumes 1 and 3 or Piano Voicing for the Vol. 1 Play-A-Long booklet. Jamey Aebresold's home page is located at http://www.JazzBooks.com/ Good Starter CD

29th Street Saxophone Quartet: Underground (1991) Antilles 422-848 415-2
Features Bobby Watson, Ed Jackson, Rich Rothenberg, Jim Hartog & others.
Includes In Case You Missed It, The Nasty Old Devil Moon, It's Your Thing/Jackson's Thing and others.

Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabakin: Desert Lady-Fantasy (1994) Columbia CK 57856
Features pianist/leader Toshiko Akiyoshi & Lew Tabakin on tenor.
Includes Harlequin Tears, Desert Lady - Fantasy, Hangin' Loose, Hiroko's Delight, Broken Dreams, Bebop. Big Band Jazz

Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabakin Big Band: Road Time (1976) RCA Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Louis Armstrong: Satch Plays Fats (1986) Columbia CK 40378
Features Armstrong on trumpet and vocals, and his "All-Stars", Young, Bigard, Kyle, Shaw, Deems, & Middleton.
Includes Honeysuckle Rose, Blue Turning Grey Over You, I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby, Ain't Misbehavin', others.
Armstrong plays the music of Fats Waller. Good Starter CD

Louis Armstrong: Ken Burns JAZZ (issued 2000) Columbia Legacy CK61440
Features Armstrong on trumpet and vocals in twenty-five of his most historic recordings from 1927 onward.
Includes Shadrack, I Double Dare You, When The Saints Go Marching In, Marie, Blueberry Hill, St. Louis Blues, Heebie Jeebies, Potato Head Blues, Star Dust, Mack the Knife, Hello Dolly, What A Wonderful World, others.
If you can only get one, this is the one to get! Good Starter CD

Gordon Goodwin: Big Phat Band: Swingin' for the Fences (issued 2000) Silverline 82002-2
Features Goodwin on piano and special guests Arturo Sandoval on trumpet and Eddie Daniels on clarinet.
Includes Sing, Sang, Sung, Count Bubba, Samba de Gringo, Bach Two Part Invention, There's the Rub, A Few Good Men, others.
Great contemporary Big Band! Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Chet Baker: Chet Baker Verve Jazz Masters 32
Features Baker on trumpet & vocals, Paul Desmond, Kenny Burrell, Hank Jones, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, others.
Includes There's A Small Hotel, Oh You Crazy Moon, How Deep Is the Ocean, How About You?, I'll Remember April, Summertime, Everything Happens To Me, others.

Chet Baker: Chet (1959) Riverside OJCCD-087
Features Baker on trumpet, Pepper Adams, Herbie Mann, Kenny Burrell, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, Connie Kay, Philly Joe Jones.
Includes Alone Together, How High the Moon, It Never Entered My Mind, September Song, You And the Night And the Music, others.

Chet Baker: My Funny Valentine (1954-64) Pacific Jazz 724382826224
Baker on trumpet & vocals with a variety of sidemen.
Includes title track, Someone To Watch Over Me, Moonlight Becomes You, Time After Time, Isn't It Romantic, others.

Chet Baker: My Favourite Songs (1988) Enja R2 79600
Baker on trumpet & vocals. This CD was recorded at a live gig in Hanover, West Germany two weeks before Baker's tragic death.
Includes All Blues, My Funny Valentine, Well You Needn't, Summertime, Django, others.

Chet Baker: Chet Baker In New York (1985) Riverside OJCCD-207-2
Features Baker on trumpet & vocals with Johnny Griffin, Al Haig, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones.
Includes Fair Weather, Polka Dots And Moonbeams, Hotel 49, Soft Winds, others.

Count Basie and His Orchestra: April In Paris (1955) Verve 314 521 402-2
Featuring the great Basie band with Marshall Royal, Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Freddie Green, Ed Jones and others in a remastered release of his 1956 LP.
Includes April In Paris, Shiny Stockings, Corner Pocket, Mambo Inn and several previously unissued recordings. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Count Basie and His Orchestra: On The Road (1979) Pablo 3112-1
Featuring the Basie band with Pete Minger, Mitchell Wood, Charlie Fowlkes, Bobby Plater, John Clayton, Butch Miles, Dennis Rowland and others.
Includes Wind Machine, John The III, Bootie's Blues, Splanky, Watch What Happens, In A Mellow Tone, others. Big Band Jazz

The Count Basie Orchestra: Long Live The Chief (1986) Denon 33CY-1018
One of the first CDs recorded after Basie's death in 1984 features Frank Foster as leader.
Includes April In Paris, Autumn Leaves, Lil' Darlin', Shiny Stockings, Corner Pocket, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

The Count Basie Orchestra: The Best of the Count Basie Orchestra / Denon DC-8590
Features selections from the Long Live The Chief CD & The Legend, The Legacy CD both with Frank Foster as leader.
Includes April In Paris, Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me, Autumn Leaves, The Count Basie Remembrance Suite, One O'Clock Jump and others. Big Band Jazz

Count Basie and His Orchestra: Basie's Beatle Bag (1966) Verve 314-557-455-2
Features the Basie band with Al Aarons, Sonny Cohn, Al Grey, Grover Mitchell, Marshall Royal, Bobby Plater, Eddie Davis and others.
Includes Help!, Can't Buy Me Love, Yesterday, Hold Me Tight, Michelle, others. Big Band Jazz

Count Basie and His Orchestra: 88 Basie Street (1983) Pablo PACD 2310 901 2
Features the great Basie Band with Turner, Dixon, Summers, Mitchell, Eaton, Mackrel and others including Joe Pass in a combo track entitled Sunday At The Savoy.
Includes the title track, Bluesville, The Blues Machine, Katy, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Count Basie: Ken Burns JAZZ (issued 2000) Verve 314 549 090-2
Features pianist Basie in a compilation of his most historic recordings.
Includes Toby, John's Idea, Topsy, Swingin' The Blues, Doggin' Around, Cherokee, 9:20 Special, others. Big Band Jazz

Count Basie and His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra: Sinatra At The Sands (1966) Reprise
Features Sinatra as vocalist recorded live with the great Basie band. This is an excellent CD for Sinatra fans.
Includes Come Fly With Me, I've Got A Crush On You, I've Got You Under My Skin, Fly Me To the Moon, One O'Clock Jump, All Of Me, It Was A Very Good Year, Angel Eyes, others. Big Band Vocal

Count Basie and His Orchestra: Live At The Sands, Before Frank (1966, released 1998) Reprise 9 45946-2
Features Basie's fantastic band in a recording of their warm-up set prior to their performance with Frank Sinatra (see CD listed above). Features some great Al Grey plunger trombone solos as well as Sonny Cohn, Marshall Royal, Lockjaw Davis, Norman Keenan, Sonny Payne, and others.
Includes Splanky, I Can't Stop Lovin' You, Flight Of The Foo Birds, Makin' Whoopee!, Corner Pocket, Jumpin' At The Woodside, I Needs To Be Bee'd With, One O'Clock Jump, others.
To learn more on how Al Grey produces those wonderful plunger sounds on his trombone check out his $6.95 book. Go to the J.W. Pepper Search site and key in "Plunger Techniques" in the Search By Title window for more information on how to get his book . . . or email Mr. Gill.
This is a great recording! Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Count Basie & Frank Sinatra: Sinatra-Basie (1962) Reprise 1008-2
Features Sinatra with Basie and his orchestra in their first collaboration.
Includes Pennies From Heaven, Please Be Kind, (Love Is) The Tender Trap, I Won't Dance, others. Big Band Vocal

Count Basie and His Orchestra: Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (1956) Verve 314 519 852-2
Featuring the great jazz vocalist Joe Williams with the Basie band.
Includes Every Day I Have the Blues, Alright, OK, You Win, Teach Me Tonight, Too Close For Comfort and others. Big Band Vocal

Count Basie and His Orchestra: Count Basie and Sarah Vaughn (1960-61) Roulette Jazz D 112401
Features vocalist Vaughn with the great Basie band.
Includes Peridio, Lover Man, I Cried For You, Until I Met You, Teach Me Tonight, others. Big Band Vocal

Louie Bellson and His Jazz Orchestra: Hot (1987) MusicMasters CIJD 60160X
Features drummer Bellson and his big band with Don Menza on tenor and special guest Clark Terry on flugelhorn.
Includes Caravan, Together We Rise, Hot, Hookin' It, Walkin' with Buddy, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Michael Brecker: Michael Brecker (1987) MCA Impulse! MCAD-5980
Features Michael on tenor and EWI with Kenny Kirkland, Pat Matheny & others.
Includes Sea Glass, Syzygy, Original Rays, My One And Only Love, others.

Clifford Brown: Ultimate Clifford Brown (1954-56) Verve 314 539 776-2
Features Brown on trumpet with a compilation of his greatest recordings as selected by Nicholas Payton.
Includes Gertrude's Bounce, Star Dust, I Get A Kick Out Of You, I've Got You Under My Skin, Stompin' At the Savoy, others.

Clifford Brown and Max Roach: Alone Together The Best Of the Mercury Years (1954-60) Verve 314 526 373-2 (2 CD set)
Features trumpeter Brown & drummer Roach with Sonny Rollins, Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley, Stanley Terrentine, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Mann and many others.
Includes Cherokee, Joy Spring, September Song, Gertrude's Bounce, Yardbird Suite, A Night In Tunisia, Lotus Blossom, The Left Bank, others.

Andre Previn, Joe Pass, Ray Brown: After Hours (1989) Telarc CD-83302
Great trio recording featuring the masters!
Includes There'll Never Be Another You, I Only Have Eyes For You, Limehouse Blues, Cottontail, Laura, others.

Dave Brubeck: Quiet As the Moon (1991) MusicMasters 01614-65067-2
Featuring Dave Brubeck on piano and his sons.
Includes Linus And Lucy, Cast Your Fate To the Wind Benjamin, Travelin' Blues, When You Wish Upon A Star, others.

Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out (circa 1962) Columbia CK 40585
Featuring Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto, Joe Morrello on drums & Eugene Wright on bass.
Includes Take Five, Blue Rondo A La Turk, Kathy's Waltz, others.

Dave Brubeck: One Alone (2000) Telarc CD-83510
Features Brubeck on solo piano.
In cludes That Old Feeling, I'll Never Smile Again, One Alone, Someone To Watch Over Me, Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Over The Rainbow, others.

John Coltrane: Giant Steps (1959) Atlantic 1311-2
Features Coltrane on tenor, Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Jim Cob, Lex Humphries and Art Taylor.
Includes Giant Steps, Cousin Mary, Countdown, Spiral and several previously unissued alternate takes.

John Coltrane: My Favorite Things (1960) Atlantic 1361-2
Features Coltrane on tenor & sop sax, McXoy Tyner, Steve Davis and Elvin Jones.
Includes title track, Summertime, Everytime We Say Goodbye, But Not For Me.

John Coltrane: Blue Train (remastered in 1985) Blue Note CDP7 46095 2
Features Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, "Philly" Joe Jones.
Includes Blue Train, Moment's Notice, Locomotion, I'm Old Fashioned, Lazy Bird.

Harry Connick, Jr.: 20 (1988) Columbia CK 44369
Features vocalist/pianist Connick with Carmen McRae, Dr. John & Robert Leslie Hurst III.
Includes Avalon, Blue Skies, Imagination, Basin Street Blues, If I Only Had A Brain, others.

Harry Connick, Jr.: Blue Light, Red Light (1991) Columbia CK 48685
Features Connick as vocalist & pianist recorded with his 16-piece big band.
Includes title track, A Blessing And A Curse, You Didn't Know Me When, Jill, Just Kiss Me, others. Big Band Vocal

Chick Corea: Expressions (1994) GRP Records GRD-9774
Features Corea as solo pianist.
Includes Lush Life, This Nearly Was Mine, It Could Happen To You, My Ship, others.

Chick Corea Akoustic Band: Akoustic Band (1989) GRP Records GRD-9582
Features pianist Cores with John Patitucci on bass & Dave Weckl on drums.
Includes Bessie's Blues, My One And Only Love, So In Love, Spain, others.

Chick Corea Akoustic Band: Alive (1991) GRP Records GRD-9627
Features pianist Cores with John Patitucci on bass & Dave Weckl on drums.
Includes On Green Dolphin Street, How Deep Is the Ocean, Humpty Dumpty, 'Round Midnight, others.

Paquito D'Rivera: Portraits Of Cuba (1996) Chesky JD145 (BMG D 112805)
Features Paquito on alto, soprano and clarinet.
Includes La Bella Cubana, The Peanut Vendor, Song To My Son, Theme From 'I Love Lucy" and others.

Miles Davis: Milestones (1958) Columbia Jazz Masterpieces CK 40837
Features trumpeter Davis with Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones in a re-release of his classic album.
Includes Dr. Jekyll, Sid's Ahead, Two Bass Hit, Miles, Billy Boy, Straight No Chaser.

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (1959) Columbia/Legacy CK 64935 (BMG D121858)
Features trumpeter Davis with Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Paul Chambers, James Cobb, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly in a 1997 re-release of an incredibly rare work of art. Unlike the original, all tracks are reproduced at the correct speed and key.
Includes So What, Freddie Freeloader, Blue In Green, All Blues, Flamenco Sketches & a previously unissued alternate take.

Miles Davis: 'Round About Midnight (1955-6) Columbia CK 40610
Features Davis on trumpet with Coltrane, Garland, Chambers & Jones.
Includes "Round Midnight, Ah-Leu-Cha, All Of You, Bye Bye Blackbird, Tadd's Delight, Dear Old Stockholm.
A great recording!

Duke Ellington: Ellington at Newport 1956 (Complete) Columbia Legacy C2K 64932 (BMG D 233252)
Features the great Ellington band with Ray Nance, Snooky Young, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges, Sam Woodyard and others recorded live at the Newport Jazz Festival on Saturday night, July 7, 1956 and into early morning July 8th. The two disk set include the voice of Ellington making introductions throughout the sets.
Includes Star Spangled Banner, A Train, Sophisticated Lady, Diminuendo In Blue, Skin Deep, I Got It Bad, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Duke Ellington Orchestra: Digital Duke (1987) GRP Records GRD-9548
Featuring Branford Marsalis on tenor, Eddie Daniels on clarinet, Clark Terry on trumpet, Louis Bellson on drums & conducted by Mercer Ellington.
Includes Perdido, Satin Doll, Cottontail, Take the A Train, In A Mellotone, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: In A Mellotone (1940) RCA 51364-2
Featuring an early recording of Duke's full orchestra with Cootie Williams, Juan Tizol, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster and others.
Includes Take the A Train, I Got It Bad, Blue Serge, In A Mellotone, Cottontail, Rocks In My Bed, others. Big Band Jazz

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: Three Suites (circa 1960) Columbia CK 46825
Featuring the Ellington Orchestra with Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Ray Nance, Juan Tizol, Aaron Bell, Sam Woodyard and others.
Includes the Duke's arrangements of Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite and Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 and 2, and Suite Thursday by the Duke & Strayhorn. A very unique CD. Big Band Jazz

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: Such Sweet Thunder (1957) Columbia Legacy CK 65568
Features the great Ellington orchestra with Cat Anderson, Ray Nance, Clark Terry, Britt Woodman, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Sam Woodyard & others in the Ellington-Strayhorn suite which was inspired by Othello.
Includes all twelve movements as well as 10 bonus tracks of master, alternate and out takes. Includes Such Sweet Thunder, Sonnet To Hank Cinq, Sonnet For Sister Kate, Madness in Great Ones and three recordings of The Star-Crossed Lovers (aka Pretty Girl). Big Band Jazz

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: Black, Brown And Beige featuring Mahalia Jackson (1958) Columbia Legacy CK 65566
Features the Ellington Orchestra in their third recording of Duke's 1943 suite.
Includes the original six parts as well as 8 alternate takes and 2 bonus tracks, Track 360 (aka Trains) & Blues in Orbit. Jackson's vocal on Come Sunday & the 23rd Psalm will blow you away! Big Band Jazz Big Band Vocal

Bill Evans: You're Gonna Hear From Me (1969) Milestone MD 9164
Features Evans on piano with Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell live at the Jazzhus Montmarte in Copenhagen, Denmark, Nov. 24, 1969 (also, see CD titled "Jazzhouse").
Includes title track, 'Round Midnight, Waltz for Debby, Who Can I Turn To, Emily, Our Love Is Here To Stay, Someday My Prince Will Come, others.

Bill Evans: Jazzhouse (1969) Milestone MD 9151
Features Evans on piano with Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell live at the Jazzhus Montmarte in Copenhagen, Denmark, Nov. 24, 1969 (also, see CD titled "You're Gonna Hear From Me").
Includes How Deep Is the Ocean, How My Heart Sings, Autumn Leaves, Polka Dots And Moonbeams, Stella By Starlight, others.

Bill Evans: Conversations With Myself (1963) Verve 821 984-2
Pianist Evans overdubs to create a piano trio with himself.
Includes 'Round Midnight, How About You, Blue Monk, Stella By Starlight, A Sleeping Bee, others.

Bill Evans: We Will Meet Again (1979) Warner Brothers 3411-2
Features Evans on piano, Marc Johnson, Joe LaBarbera, Larry Schneider, Tom Harrell.
Includes Comrade Conrad, Laurie, Bill's Hit Tune, Five, Only Child, others.

Ella Fitzgerald: The Best of the Song Books
Features legendary vocalist Fitzgerald with the Riddle, Bergman, May & Weston orchestras.
Includes Something's Gotta Give, Love Is Here To Stay, Bewitched, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, 'S Wonderful, Cotton Tail, others.
One of the best Ella compilations. Big Band Vocal

Ella Fitzgerald: The Best of the Song Books, The Ballads (1956-64) Verve 314 521 867-2
Features Ella with the Riddle, Ellington, May, Weston, and Bergman orchestras.
Includes Oh, Lady Be Good!, I'm Old Fashioned, Laura, Day-Dream, Small Hotel, others. Big Band Vocal

Maynard Ferguson: Brass Attitude (1998) Concord Jazz CCD-4848-2
Features trumpeter Ferguson with his 9-piece Big Bop Nouveau band & special guest Denis DiBlasio on bari.
Includes Just Friends, Waltz For Nicole, I Love You, Milk of the Moon, The Lip, others. Big Band

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: Left Of Cool ---Warner Brothers
Features Fleck on an assortment of acoustic and electronic banjos & guitars.
Okay, this is a stretch, but many of these tracks have a strong jazz influence. I found Bela's ability to improvise and swing on these unorthodox instruments refreshing. Yet, you might want to borrow this CD from a friend before you make your purchase.

Stan Getz: The Best Of the Verve Years, Vol. 1 (1952-1967) Verve 314 511 468-2
Features Getz on tenor with Max Roach, Shelly Manne, Lou Levy, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Gerry Mulligan & others in a great compilation of his most significant recorded work.
Includes Stella By Starlight, It Don't Mean A Thing, Nobody Else But Me, Summertime, My Funny Valentine, Early Autumn, Desafinado, Girl From Ipanema, Rainy Day, others.

Dizzy Gillespie: The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (1946- ) Bluebird/RCA 66528-2
Features Gillespie on trumpet in a two disk set of over 40 of his most historic recordings.
Includes Manteca, Anthropology, King Porter Stomp, Hot Mallets, 52nd Street Theme, Night In Tunisia, Ow!, Oop-Pop-A-Da, I'm Be Boppin' Too, St. Louis Blues, That Old Black Magic, Dizzier And Dizzier, In The Land Of Oo-Bla-Dee, others.

Dizzy Gillespie: Ken Burns JAZZ (issued 2000) Verve 314 549 086-2
Features be-bop giant Gillespie with Parker, Coltrane, Hawkins, Stitt, Monk, Schifrin, Milt Jackson, Wynton Kelly and others in 16 superb recordings.
Includes Pickin' The Cabbage, Disorder At The Border, Salt Peanuts, I Can' Get Started, Groovin' High, Swing Low Sweet Cadillac, others.

Gordon Goodwin: Big Phat Band, Swingin' for the Fences (issued 2000) Silverline 82002-2
Features Goodwin on piano and special guests Arturo Sandoval on trumpet and Eddie Daniels on clarinet.
Includes Sing, Sang, Sung, Count Bubba, Samba de Gringo, Bach Two Part InventionThere's the Rub, A Few Good Men, others.
Great contemporary Big Band! Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Dexter Gordon: Ballads (1978) Blue Note CDP 7 96579 2
Features tenor player Gordon with Donald Byrd, Kenny Drew, Freddie Hubbard, Paul Chambers, Joe Jones, Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen, others in sessions recorded from 1961 to 1978.
Includes Darn That Dream, Don't Explain, I'm A Fool To Want You, Ernie's Tune, Willow Weep For Me, Body And Soul, others.

Dexter Gordon: The Best Of Dexter Gordon (1961-64) Blue Note CDP 7 91139 2
Features Gordon on tenor with Freddie Hubbard, Horace Parlan, Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark, Art Taylor, others.
Includes It's You Or No One, Society Red, Smile, Cheese Cake, Tanya, others.

Wycliffe Gordon: The Search (1999) Nagel Heyer 2007
Features Trombonist Gordon on 13 traditional & original compositions. Wycliffe is a relatively young artist, but after attending a jazz workshop that included him & his quartet, I'm sure that we will all be hearing his name much more often in the future.
Includes Cheeky, What Is This Thing Called Love, Danny Boy, Frantic Flight, Sweet Georgia Brown, Georgia On My Mind, Star Dust, others. Good Starter CD

J.J. Johnson & Al Grey: Things Are Getting Better All the Time (1984, 1992) Pablo OJCCD-745-2(2312-141)
Featuring J.J. & Al on trombone, Ray Brown on bass.
Includes Soft Winds, Let Me See, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Things Ain't What They Used To Be, others.
To learn more on how Al Grey produces those wonderful plunger sounds on his trombone check out his $6.95 book. Go to the J.W. Pepper Search site and key in "Plunger Techniques" in the Search By Title window for more information on how to get his book . . . or email Mr. Gill.

Lionel Hampton and the Golden Men of Jazz: Just Jazz (1991) Telarc CD-83313
Features Hampton on vibes, Clark Terry, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Al Grey, Hank Jones & others.
Includes Corner Pocket, Just Jazz, Body and Soul, God Bless the Child, others.

Herbie Hancock: Maiden Voyage (1965) Blue Note CDP 7 46339 2
Feature pianist Hancock with Freddie Hubbard, George Coleman, Ron Carter & Tony Williams.
Includes Maiden Voyage, The Eye Of the Hurricane, Little One, Survival Of the Fitest, Dolphin Dance.

The Joe Henderson Big Band: Joe Henderson Big Band (1992 & 1996) Verve 314 533 451-2 (BMG D116125)
Features tenor player Henderson with his big band & several of his own compositions.
Features Jon Faddis, Freddie Hubbard, Nicholas Payne, Lew Soloff, Chick Corea & others.
Includes Without A Song, Isotope, Inner Urge, Chelsea Bridge, others. Big Band Jazz

Joe Henderson: Lush Life, the Music Of Billy Strayhorn (1991) Verve 314-511-779-2
Features Henderson on tenor with Wynton Marsalis and others in a quintet setting.
Includes the title track, Isfahan, Johnny Come Lately, Blood Count, Rain Check, others.

Woody Herman: Woody Herman Memorial, The 40th Anniversary Carnegie Hall Concert (1976) BMG 6878-RB
Features Woody on alto, clarinet & vocals and his big band featuring Pete & Conte Candoli, Alan Vizutti, Danny Styles, Phil Wilson, Jim Pugh, Stan Getz, Jimmy Giuffre, others.
Includes Woody's Theme (Blue Flame), Apple Honey, Sweet and Lovely, Four Brothers, Early Autumn, Bijou, Caldonia and others.
This is a re-release of the original LP and does not include all of the double album recordings. This is a worthwhile recording simply because of the diverse talent on stage. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Johnny Hodges: Johnny Hodges - Jazz Masters 35 (1951-67) Verve 314 521 857-2
Features Ellington's lead alto, Hodges in 15 recordings with Ellington sidemen as well as Gillespie, Parker, Benny Carter, Mulligan and others.
Includes Jeep's Blues, Castle Rock, Passion Flower, Little Rabbit Blues, Honey Hill, The Gal from Joe's, Don't Sleep in the Subway, others.
This is a great CD for studying style!

Bill Holman: The Bill Holman Band (1987) JVC 6004-2
Features the compositions/arrangements and big band of conductor-tenor player Holman in a very typical recording of his work.
Includes Front Runner, Isn't She Lovely, St. Thomas, Just Friends, others. Big Band Jazz

J.J. Johnson: The Brass Orchestra (1997) Verve 314 537 321-2
BIG Brass Band with a jazz flavor features trombonist J.J. & his original compositions.
Includes Why Indianapolis, Why Not Indianapolis?, If I Hit the Lottery, others.

Stan Kenton: Adventures In Jazz (1961) Capitol Jazz 7243 5 21222 2 6
Features Kenton's 23-piece big band with mellophoniums and the arrangements of Dee Barton, Holman, Donahue and Niehaus. Barton plays jazz trombone on this recording.
Click here to read about how Kenton and Johnny Richards went about developing the mellophonium and the instrument's role in the Kenton Orchestra.
Includes Turtle Talk, Stairway to the Stars, Limehouse Blues, Malaquena, Misty, Waltz of the Prophets, Body and Soul, as well as the previously unreleased It Might As Well Be Spring, and alternate takes of Prophets and Body and Soul.
Very typical Kenton recording just prior to the "Creative World" era. Big Band Jazz

The Stan Kenton Orchestra: The Peanut Vendor (1961) CSL Ltd. JTM 8112
Features Kenton on piano and his 22-piece orchestra with mellophoniums; also Bob Fitzpatrick, Dee Barton, Marvin Stamm, Pat Senatore, Jerry McKenzie and others.
Click here to read about how Kenton and Johnny Richards went about developing the mellophonium and the instrument's role in the Kenton Orchestra.
Includes Artistry In Rhythm, Limehouse Blues, The Peanut Vendor, Mellophobia, others. Big Band Jazz

The Stan Kenton Orchestra: Giants of the Big Band Era (circa 1960) Pilz 442048-2
Features Kenton's 22-piece orchestra with mellophoniums.
Click here to read about how Kenton and Johnny Richards went about developing the mellophonium and the instrument's role in the Kenton Orchestra.
Includes Peanut Vendor, I'm Glad There Is You, Artistry In Rhythm, I Understand, Tonight, All the Things You Are, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

The Stan Kenton Orchestra: The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton (1958) Capitol Jazz CDP 7243 8 56688 2 1
Features Kenton's standard 17-piece orchestra with Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins, Bob Fitzpatrick, Mel Lewis and others.
Includes Then I'll Be Tired Of You, The End Of A Love Affair, Moon Song, Early Autumn, The Things We Did Last Summer, How Deep Is the Ocean, others. Big Band Jazz

The Stan Kenton Orchestra: Adventures In Time, A Concerto For Orchestra (1962) Capitol Jazz CDP 7243 8 55454 2 9
Features Kenton's 22-piece orchestra with Dalton Smith, Marvin Stamm, Bob Fitzpatrick, Ray Starling, Babe Baltazar, Don Menza, Dee Barton and others.
Click here to read about how Kenton and Johnny Richards went about developing the mellophonium and the instrument's role in the Kenton Orchestra.
Includes Commencement, Quintile, 3 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 + 72, March To Polaris, and others all composed, arranged and conducted by Johnny Richards. Big Band Jazz

The Stan Kenton Orchestra: The Best of Stan Kenton(1943-61) Capitol Jazz CDP 7243 8 31504 2 7
Features Art Pepper, Lee Konitz, Bud Shank, Sam Donahue, Kai Winding, Frank Rosolino, Maynard Furgeson and others.
Includes Artistry In Rhythm, Eager Beaver, Artistry Jumps, Intermission Riff, Lover, Love For Sale, Waltz of the Prophets, Malaguena and others. Big Band Jazz

From the Creative World of Stan Kenton: A Merry Christmas! (1961) Capitol CDP 7 94451 2
Features an all brass jazz orchestra with mellophoniums assembled specifically for this recording date. A one of a kind CD!
Click here to read about how Kenton and Johnny Richards went about developing the mellophonium and the instrument's role in the Kenton Orchestra.
Includes O Tannenbaum, The Holly And the Ivy, In Royal David's City, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Angels We Have Heard On High, What Is A Santa Claus (narrated by Kenton) and others. Big Band Jazz

Diana Krall: When I Look In Your Eyes (1999) Verve IMPD-304 (BMG D128963)
Features vocalist/pianist Krall and her trio/quartet & strings. A really nice collection of standards performed by an artist who gets better with each new release.
Includes Let's Face the Music and Dance, Devil May Care, Let's Fall In Love, I've Got You Under My Skin, I Can't Give You Anything but Love, others. Good Starter CD

Diana Krall: All For You (1995) Impulse IMPD-182
Features vocalist/pianist Krall in a tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio.
Includes I'm An Errand Girl For Rhythm, Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, Frim Fram Sauce, Hit That Jive Jack, Deed I Do, others.

Gene Krupa & Buddy Rich: Krupa and Rich (1955) Verve 314521 643-2
Features drummers Rich & Krupa in their hey day! Beside the brilliant exhibition of percussion prowess, this CD also features great trumpet solos by Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge and Thad Jones as well as Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster on tenor.
Includes Buddy's Blues, Bernie's Tune, Gene's Blues, The Monster, others.

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross: Everybody's Boppin' (1959-61) Columbia CK 45020
Features jazz vocal trio of Dave, Jon & Annie in a remaster of their classic recordings.
Includes Charleston Alley, Moanin', Twisted, Bijou, Gimme That Wine, Sermonette, Summertime, Cottontail, others.

The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra: Soft Lights and Hot Music (1988) MusicMasters CIJD 60172F
Features drummer/leader Mel Lewis with his big band recorded live at the Village Vanguard in NY Feb. 11-15, 1988.
Includes Soft Lights and Sweet Music, Love Is Here To Stay, Lester Left Town, It Could Happen To You, How Long Has This Been Going On?, others. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra: Live in Swing City/Swingin' With Duke (1999) Columbia CK 69898
Features Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Warmbody Anderson & others.
Includes Happy Go Lucky Local, Main Stem, C Jam Blues, Black & Tan Fantasy, Bli Blip, Mood Indigo, Cottontail, Portrait of Louis Armstrong, others.

Mel Lewis and Thad Jones Jazz Orchestra: Dedication (circa 1970) LaserLight 17 093
Features drummer Lewis & Flugelhornist Jones and their big band with Snooky Young, Jerome Richardson, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, Marvin Stamm and others.
Includes title track, The Groove Merchant, Central Park North, Tiptoe, Quietude, It Only Happens Every Time, A Child Is Born, others. Big Band Jazz

The Manhattan Transfer: Vocalese (1985) Atlantic A2-81266 [Vocal Jazz]
Featuring Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Dizzy Gillespie & the Count Basie Orchestra.
Includes Killer Joe, Rambo, Airegin, To You, Meet Bill Bailey, Another Night in Tunisia, Ray's Rockhouse, others. Big Band Vocal

The Manhattan Transfer: Mantra, Live in Toyko (1996) Rhino R2 72403 [Vocal Jazz]
Includes Birdland, Route 66, Jeanine, Trickle Trickle, Boy From New York City, Body & Soul, Tuxedo Junction, Four Brothers, How High the Moon, Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone, others.

The Manhattan Transfer have produced a large volume of recordings including the following which you may find interesting:
Swing (1997) Atlantic 83012-2 (BMG D120072) includes what the title implies.
Tonin' (1994) Atlantic82661-2 (BMG D 106175) [Vocal Do-Wop] featuring Frankie Valli, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, Phil Collins, BB King, James Taylor, others.

Branford Marsalis: Renaissance (1987) Columbia CK 40711
Features Branford on tenor & sop with Kenny Kirkland, Bob Hurst, and Tony Williams.
Includes Just One Of Those Things, Lament, Citadel, St. Thomas, others.

Branford Marsalis: Trio Jeepy (1988) Columbia CK 44199
Features Branford on tenor with Kenny Kirkland, Milton Hinton, Jeff Watts.
Includes Housed From Edward, The Nearness Of You, Three Little Words, Makin' Whoopee, others.

Ellis Marsalis: Heart Of Gold (1991) Columbia CK 47509
Features Ellis on piano, Ray Brown, Billy Higgins, others.
Includes Have You Met Miss Jones, Never Let Me Go, This Can't Be Love, Surry With the Fringe On Top, Love For Sale, Sweet Georgia Brown, others.

Wynton Marsalis Quartet: Live At Blues Alley (1986) Columbia C2K 40675
Features trumpeter Marsalis with Marcus Roberts, Robert Leslie Hurst III, and Jeff "Tain" Watts on a 2 disk set.
Includes Knozz-Moe-King, Just Friends, Juan, Cherokee, Autumn Leaves, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans? and others.

Wynton Marsalis: Crescent City Christmas Card (1989) Columbia CK 45287
Features Wynton with special guests Kathleen Battle & Jon Hendricks and others.
Includes Carol of the Bells, Little Drummer Boy, We Three Kings, Sleigh Ride, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (narrated by Wynton) and other irreverent arrangements.

Wynton Marsalis: Standard Time Vol. 3, The Resolution of Romance (1990) Columbia CK 46143
Features trumpeter/vocalist Marsalis with his dad Ellis on piano and Reginald Veal & Herlin Riley.
Includes In the Court of King Oliver, Never Let Me Go, The Very Thought of You, Flamingo, Skylark, Taking A Chance On Love, others.

Wynton Marsalis: Marsalis Standard Time (1986) Columbia CK 40461
Features Marsalis on trumpet, Marcus Roberts, Robert Leslie Hurst and Jeff "Rain" Watts.
Includes Caravan, April In Paris Cherokee, Foggy Day, The Song Is You, Autumn Leaves, others.

Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass: Boss Brass & Woods (1985) MCA Impulse! MCAD 5982
Features valve trombonist McConnell with his 22-piece big band & Phil Woods as special guest.
Includes Out Of Nowhere, Green house, Quintessence, Just One Of Those Things, Jive At Five, others. Big Band Jazz

Marian McPartland: Live At Maybeck Recital Hall Vol. 9 (1991) Concord Jazz CCD-4460
Features a live recording of Marian as solo pianist.
Includes This Time the Dream's On Me, A Fine Romance, Twilight World, Prelude To A Kiss, Love You Madly, Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Turn Around, others. Good Starter CD
**A companion book of several transcriptions from this CD is available from CPP Belwin, Inc. (1993) & is titled "Marian McPartland Piano Jazz: Volume 1" (TPF0160). Go to the J.W. Pepper site and enter "McPartland" as the artist for information on the availability of this book.

Marian McPartland: Willow Creek and Other Ballads (1985) Concord Jazz CCD-4272
Features Marian as solo pianist.
Includes Without You, The Things We Did Last Summer, Willow Creek, I've Got A Crush On You, Summer Song, others.
** A companion book of several transcriptions from this CD is available from CPP Belwin, Inc. & is titled "Marian McPartland Willow Creek and other ballads" transcriptions by Ellen Rowe (TPF0156). Go to the J.W. Pepper site and enter "McPartland" as the artist for information on the availability of this book.

Bob Mintzer Big Band: Big Band Trane (1996) DMP CD-515
Features tenor player Mintzer and several of his original compositions with his big band.
Includes My Favorite Things, A Love Supreme-Acknowledgement, Run For Your Life, Prayer For Peace, Trane's Blues, others. Big Band Jazz

Blue Mitchell: Blues On My Mind (1958-59) Riverside OJCCD-6009-2
Features trumpeter Mitchell with Art Blakey, Paul Chambers, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Wynton Kelly, others.
Includes Brother 'Ball, There Will Never Be Another You, title track, Sweet-Cakes, others.

Thelonious Monk: Monk Alone - The Complete Columbia Solo Studio Recordings Of Thelonious Monk (1962-1968) Columbia Legacy C2K 65495 (2 disk set)
Pianist Monk is features on 20 reissued tracks and 17 previously unissued retakes.
Includes Body & Soul, Just A Gigolo Don't Blame Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Everything Happens To Me, Monk's Point, Ask Me Now, Ruby My Dear, 'Round Midnight, others.

Gerry Mulligan: The Art of Gerry Mulligan, The Final Recordings - Telarc CD-83517
Features baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan in a compilation of his 1993-95 recordings.
Includes Paraiso, Dragonfly, Dream A Little Dream, Wave, My Funny Valentine, others.
A wonderful collection of Mulligan's most noteworthy recordings before his death in 1996.

Gerry Mulligan: Paraiso - Jazz Brazil (1993) Telarc CD-83361
Features bari player Mulligan with Jane Duboc as vocalist.
Includes Paraiso, No Rio, Sob a Estrela, Wave, North Atlantic Run, others.
This is a very good example of Brazilian jazz featuring Mulligan's impeccable sensitivity and taste.
This CD was engineered and mixed by P.H.S. jazz band member Braden's (class of '02) uncle, Michael Bishop.

Gerry Mulligan: Dream A Little Dream - Telarc CD-83364
Features baritone saxophonist Mulligan with Rosenthal, Johnson and Vincent.
Includes Nobody Else But Me, Home (When Shadows Fall), title track, Here's That Rainy Day, Georgia On My Mind, My Funny Valentine, others.

Charlie Parker: Now's The Time (1952-3) Verve 825 671-2
An excellent remaster featuring Bird on alto, Hank Jones, Al Haig, Teddy Kotick, Al Haig, Percy Heath, and Max Roach.
Includes title track, The Song Is You, Kim, Cosmic Rays, I Remember You, and several previously unissued alternate takes.

Charlie Parker: Bird's Best Bop On Verve (1949-53) Verve 314 527 452-2
Features Bird with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, John Lewis, Buddy Rich, and others.
Includes Passport, Bloomdido, Leap Frog, K.C. Blues, Blues For Alic, The Song Is You, Now's The Time, others.

Tito Puente: Mambo of the Times (1991) Concord Picante CCD-4499
Features latin percussionist Puente with his 11-piece big band.
Includes Things To Come, Jitterbug Waltz, Mambo King, Japan Mambo, title track, others.

Tito Puente and India: Jazzin' (1996) RMM Records RMD 82032
Featuring Tito on Latin percussion, India as vocalist, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
Includes Jazzin', Fever, Love For Sale, Crazy He Calls Me, Wave, Going Out Of My Head, others. Big Band Vocal

Tito Puente: Out Of This World (1991) Concord Picante CCD-4448
Featuring Tito and his 12 piece Latin Orchestra.
Includes Descarga, In Walked Bud, Sweet Georgia Brown, Lucky Dog, Latin Percussion Summit, others.

Buddy Rich: Swingin' New Big Band (1966) Pacific Jazz CDP 7243 8 35232 2 1
Features Drummer Rich's big band recorded live at the Chez Club in Hollywood with arrangements by Phil Wilson, Bill Holman, Oliver Nelson, Bill Reddie and others.
Includes Readymix, Basically Blues Sister Sadie, More Soul, West Side Story medley, In A Mellotone, and several previously unissued releases. Good Starter CD Big Band Jazz

Buddy Rich & Gene Krupa: Krupa and Rich (1955) Verve 314521 643-2
Features drummers Rich & Krupa in their hey day! Beside the brilliant exhibition of percussion prowess, this CD also features great trumpet solos by Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge and Thad Jones as well as Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster on tenor.
Includes Buddy's Blues, Bernie's Tune, Gene's Blues, The Monster, others.

Max Roach and Clifford Brown: Alone Together The Best Of the Mercury Years (1954-60) Verve 314 526 373-2 (2 CD set)
Features trumpeter Brown & drummer Roach with Sonny Rollins, Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley, Stanley Terrentine, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Mann and many others.
Includes Cherokee, Joy Spring, September Song, Gertrude's Bounce, Yardbird Suite, A Night In Tunisia, Lotus Blossom, The Left Bank, others.

Arturo Sandoval: Tumbaito (1986) Messidor 15974-2
Features Cuban trumpeter Sandoval in an early European recordingof some of his best Latin/jazz/funk performances.
Includes A Night In Tunisia, Tunisia's Blues, Nuestro Blues, Relax, Los Elefantes and Tumbaito.

Artuto Sandoval: I Remember Clifford (1992) GRP GRD-9668
Features trumpeter Sandoval in a tribute recording to the great Clifford Brown.
Includes Daahoud, Joy Spring, I Remember Clifford, Cherokee, Caravan, I Left This Space For You, others.

Woody Shaw: Solid (1986, 1992) Muse Records 5329
Features jazz trumpeter Shaw
Includes There Will Never Be Another You, You Stepped Out of a Dream, Speak Low, Solid, It Might As Well Be Spring, Woody Woodpecker Song.

Frank Sinatra with Count Basie and His Orchestra: Sinatra At The Sands (1966) Reprise
Features Sinatra as vocalist recorded live with the great Basie band.
Includes come Fly With Me, I've Got A Crush On You, I've Got You Under My Skin, Fly Me To the Moon, One O'Clock Jump, All Of Me, It Was A Very Good Year, Angel Eyes, others. Big Band Vocal

Frank Sinatra & Count Basie: Sinatra-Basie (1962) Reprise 1008-2
Features Sinatra with Basie and his orchestra in their first collaboration.
Includes Pennies From Heaven, Please Be Kind, (Love Is) The Tender Trap, I Won't Dance, others. Big Band Vocal

Sonny Stitt: Sonny Stitt - Jazz Masters 50 (1956-62) Verve
Features Stitt on alto in combo recordings of some great classic jazz.
Includes I Got Rhythm, Mean To Me, Sonny's Tune, Time After Time, Just Friends, Laura, others.
A must for all alto players. Good Starter CD

Billy Taylor: Dr. T (1992) GRP Records GRD-9692
Pianist Taylor teams up with Gerry Mulligan.
Includes I'll Remember April, 'Round Midnight, Line For Lyons, Lush Life, Rico Apollo, others. Good Starter CD

Steve Turre: Right There (1991) Antilles 12 10040
Features jazz artist Turre on trombone and shells.
Includes Ginseng People, Woody & Bu, Unfinished Rooms, Echos of Harlem, Descarga de Turre, others.

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Last Update: November 3, 2003