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
Related Posts:
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (971-980)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (961-970)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (951-960)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (941-950)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (931-940)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (921-930)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (911-920)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die (901-910)
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die – The First 750
1,000 Jazz Albums You Should Hear Before You Die – The First 500
The most legendary album in jazz history easily takes the top spot on this list. The original album still sells 5,000 copies a week. A two-CD “Legacy Edition” version of this album was released celebrating the 50th anniversary, including alternate takes, false starts, and a 17-minute live version of So What.
The album that left the 4/4 time signature behind, was the first jazz album to have a single (Take Five) that sold one million copies. Sony will release its own 50th Anniversary edition of Time Out this Tuesday, featuring three discs. Disc one will feature a newly remastered edition of the original. Disc two is a 30-minute DVD interview with Dave Brubeck talking about the making of Time Out, with never before seen footage, and Disc three is a compilation of recently discovered tapes at the Newport Jazz Festival from 1961, 1963, and 1964.
Another great album where every song became a jazz standard. The album features two different trios, with bassist Paul Chambers being the only member to participate in both. Constant chord changes and wonderful improvisation made this a classic.
As mentioned earlier, the great Lester Young died in 1959, and Mingus Ah Um is highlighted with a wonderful tribute to Young called Good Bye Pork Pie Hat. Columbia has also released a two disc “Legacy Edition” of this album this year, featuring unedited versions of tunes that were shortened for the original version, as well as some great outtakes.
Released exactly 50 years ago last Friday, The Shape of Jazz to Come basically said “forget about the rules, just let me play”. That might sound sloppy (the description, not the music), but Coleman might have just looked at things differently than those before him. He always heard a melody, and managed to create great jazz with freedom that didn’t sound chaotic.