1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (981-990)

Here is another 10 to add to the list.

We are getting close! Just a handful of albums left to add. Remember that there is no ranking system here. Hopefully these lists will inspire you to seek some of these albums out that perhaps you haven’t heard before, or revisit an old favorite. And as always, we want your thoughts on any or all of these albums. Here, in no particular order, are albums 981 through 990.

981. Caravan – Art Blakey (OJC/Riverside, 1962) CLICK HERE TO BUY

982. Nothing Is – Sun Ra (ESP-Disk, 1966) CLICK HERE TO BUY

983. The Art of the Improvisers – Ornette Coleman (Water Music Records, 1961) CLICK HERE TO BUY

984. Blues Singers and Hot Bands on Okey: 1924-1929 – King Oliver (Frog, 1924-1929 recording dates, 2008 compilation date) CLICK HERE TO BUY

985. Portraiture – Bill Evans (Fuel 2000, 1969 recording date, 2003 release date) CLICK HERE TO BUY

986. Jazz Advance – Cecil Taylor (Blue Note, 1956) CLICK HERE TO BUY

987. God is in the House – Art Tatum (Highnote Records, Inc./High Note, 1940-1941 recording dates, 1973 release date) CLICK HERE TO BUY

988. Rip, Rig and Panic – Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Japanese Import, 1965) CLICK HERE TO BUY

989. In Stockholm 1959 – Benny Goodman (Phontastic, 1959) CLICK HERE TO BUY

990. Jazz Goes to College – Dave Brubeck (Legacy/Sony BMG, 1954) CLICK HERE TO BUY

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1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (791-800)

Here is another 10 to add to the list.

Remember that there is no ranking system here, and if you don’t see your favorite jazz album yet, it doesn’t mean it won’t show up.

Hopefully these lists will inspire you to seek some of these albums out that perhaps you haven’t heard before, or revisit an old favorite. And as always, we want your thoughts on any or all of these albums. Either way, let’s get started with this week, and in no particular order, albums 791 through 800.

791. Indestructible – Art Blakey (Blue Note, 1965) CLICK HERE TO BUY

792. The Stratus Seekers – George Russell (Original Jazz Classics, 1962) CLICK HERE TO BUY

793. The Complete Last Concert – Modern Jazz Quartet (Rhino, 1974) CLICK HERE TO BUY

794. Conte Candoli Quartet – Conte Candoli (VSOP, 1957) CLICK HERE TO BUY

795. Virtuoso – Joe Pass (Pablo, 1973) CLICK HERE TO BUY

796. My Goal’s Beyond – John McLaughlin (Knitting Factory Works) CLICK HERE TO BUY

797. At The Village Gate – Herbie Mann (Atlantic, 1961) CLICK HERE TO BUY

798. Take Ten – Paul Desmond (Bluebird RCA, 1963) CLICK HERE TO BUY

799. Live at the New School – Earl Hines (Chiaroscuro, 1973) CLICK HERE TO BUY

800. Live at Basin Street East – Charlie Barnet (Hep, 1966 recording date, 2006 release date) CLICK HERE TO BUY

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Blue Note Records Turns 70…and My Top 10 Blue Note Jazz Recordings

blue-note-resizedThis year blue Note Records turned 70 years old. While many other record labels have come and gone over 70 years, Blue Note has not only managed to stay in business, but to continue to turn a profit and avoid having to cut down on their artist roster. In recent years, this is due in large part to their online download sales and some successful crossover artists including Norah Jones and Al Green.

Below is my list of my top 10 favorite Blue Note jazz recordings. As with all of my lists, this list simply offers my own personal favorites, and I truly encourage you to mention yours as well! Enjoy.

10. Birth of the Cool – Miles Davis – 1949

birth-of-cool The oldest recording on the list, but a great chance to hear Miles in the early stages of what would lead to super stardom.

9. Moanin’ – Art Blakey – 1958

moanin One of the finest examples of why Blakey was not only a great musician, but a great band leader and mentor to those who he recorded with.

8. Consummation – Thad Jones – 1970

consummation This album is not only one of the greatest big band albums ever, but features what might be the sweetest, most beautiful ballads ever with A Child is Born.

7. Song For My Father – Horace Silver – 1964

song-for-my-father I played in a small group once where our director made our pianist listen to this album over and over until our pianist “finally got it”. Silver was one of the best at playing with his group, rather than just playing.

6. Maiden Voyage – Herbie Hancock – 1965

maiden-voyage When you listen to the title track, it might seem simple in structure. But only Herbie and his hand-picked group could make it sound so perfect.

5. The Sidewinder – Lee Morgan – 1963

sidewinder There is not likely a musician who I wish could have had more time to produce more recordings than Lee Morgan. Losing him at age 33 was a tragedy, but what he did produce withstands the test of time.

4. In Pursuit of the 27th Man – Horace Silver – 1970

in-pursuit-of-27th1 An album that brought energy into the 70’s, as well as the young Brecker Brothers. Enjoyable the whole way through.

3. Empyrean Isles – Herbie Hancock – 1964

empyrian-isles This album hosts what is probably one of the most recognizable jazz tunes, even if you aren’t a jazz fan. Once again, Hancock gets together the perfect cast for these memorable recordings.

2. Ready For Freddie – Freddie Hubbard – 1961

ready-for-freddie I could listen to Freddie solo on Birdlike for hours. Whether playing fast or slow, high or low, Hubbard could always keep his solos imaginative and interesting.

1. Blue Train – John Coltrane – 1957

blue-train The first Coltrane album I ever owned, and years later it still gets heavy rotation on my personal playlist. One of the finest recordings in the history of jazz.