I have to tell you, I was genuinely surprised at the number of responses my previous post Help out a non jazz fan out got. There were 14 comments here on the blog and another 12 or so on Facebook, so it has taken some time to process them all. I just want to say thank you to everyone who commented and I think it has help me choose the right artist to start with.
I did a little research on many of the bands mentioned, there were so many, and so I developed a short-list of what I picked up on as really influential artists to follow up on.
Django Reinhardt
Django must have quite some influence on the world – my friend named Dan named his dog after him and a team of web developers named their software Django because that’s who they listened to during the software’s development. I am actually interested in finding out more about him because I am guitarist myself and he was suggested by more then one of you.
Louis Armstrong
This is actually somewhat embarrassing, but when I was young I always thought Louis Armstrong was an Astronaut who sang that Blue Skies song. Turns out I’d confused him a little with poor Neil, but I also didn’t realize he was a trumpet player until I started working here at KCSM. Many of you suggested listening to Louis as a start and I will definitely check him out because he is such a legend.
Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny is someone from the Jazz world I am more familiar with. I have listened to The Way Up before and enjoyed it. I also heard his beautiful cover of “Don’t know why” by Norah Jones on Later with Jules Holland so I want to check out more from him.
I will be listening to Kind of Blue all of next week
Miles Davis
I think Miles was mentioned the most from the people who responded. I get the feeling Miles is an artist almost all Jazz fans love so have concluded that this is the best place to start, and truly represents the essence of Jazz.
Kind of Blue seems like a great start because it was the start for so many others. From there I will move on. Could somebody suggest or agree on an album by Django to check out?
Again, you all had great advice and I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.
I am going to listen to Kind of Blue this week and give you all an update this time next week. I have to say, I am very excited (as I always get with new music) and I hope you will enjoy sharing my experience next week in my update.
A few shout-outs
Wen Mew, I will say Clifford you say “hi” next time I see him.
All the people who mentioned taking classes – I think I would really enjoy a class so I will plan to take one sometime in 2010.
Thanks to Chris and Alisa for their help! Expect more blogs from them soon.
Everyone please comment and also please register for our brand spanking new jazz forum!
Hi Chris-
I think it’s important to take a look at the incredibly creative collaborations between Pat Metheny and many other first rate musicians. Two that I love are his work with Charlie Haden and his collaborations with Gary Burton the vibes player. Speaking of whom, if you can get any Burton with Stephan Grapelli collabs, those are marvelous. (And of course Grapelli ties in to Django…which ties into the contemporary Hot Club of San Francisco.) It’s great to see these inter-generational ties emerge as you explore and become more familiar with the jazz terrain….
Good hunting!!
John
What a great use of a blog! I like your shortlist, that’s a really good place to start.
If you find a good Django album that isn’t horribly scratchy, please let me know.
Thanks Jessica, I’ve been listening this week and I have summed up my thoughts here http://kcsm.org/interact/jazz91/2009/07/17/so-what-another-kind-of-blu/#more-81
Hi,
I agree with the album “Kind of Blue” , but you also need to hear John Coltrane, who is on this album. In fact, I think it is Coltrane’s presence that makes the album so great. The next must listen, I think, is “Ole” by John Coltrane. Thanks, Johnna