| This list of recordings contains my personal favorites, so it will change from time to time. |
| Miles Davis: The Complete Concert 1964: My Funny Valentine + Four and More Miles Davis’ career honed and launched many others. The sensitivity of this famous rhythm section (Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams and Ron Carter) following, leading, and prodding Davis and saxophonist George Coleman is a hallmark of a “real group” and post-bop jazz at its finest. It is unbelievable that this compilation is actually one concert. Eventually, you may want to check out the “Live at the Plugged Nickel” sessions, which is even further evolved but you must also listen to Kind of Blue, which is the most famous jazz recording of all time. Understand that Miles is the Picasso of Jazz; his many different styles seeded many other artists mentioned below, and he served as a bridge from Charlie Parker to everyone after. Sonny Rollins: Saxophone Colossus Perhaps no other jazz artist has reached this level of mastery over the elements. Newk’s penetrating sound, his ability to play with time – race ahead and lay back, his command of post bird vocabulary – innovating his own, all while infusing great energy into every performance, is phenomenal. Another incredible recording is The Bridge. John Coltrane: Love Supreme Coltrane stands as the next major innovator after Charlie Parker. His harmonic advancements and improvisational approach altered jazz from his day forward. Perhaps more importantly, his lyricism, tone and compositions feature a passion and spiritual quality unsurpassed by any jazz artist. Coltrane’s recordings encompass a wide variety of styles, and you will end up with more. Wayne Shorter: Speak No Evil To follow Shorter’s career from his days with Art Blakey, through Miles, through Weather Report, and to his present group, is to track the development of Jazz since Coltrane. His compositional legacy forms a foundation for all jazz artists during their formation and after. This recording features an all-star group at their very best. Another great recording is Night Dreamer. Charles Mingus: Dynasty Jazz is not a technical music – meaning that technique is not what is important but rather the means to an end. Mingus’ music is as complex as any but the technique is not what strikes you. His music captures the soul, humor and simplicity that make the music unpretentious, exciting, and great fun. I also love his Changes 1 & 2 recordings from the 1970s. Gil Evans: Svengali His collaboration with Miles Davis – Sketches of Spain is most often found on these lists, but I want to point to some music he created later on with a unique band featuring the great saxophonist Billy Harper. You hear all the stuff that gave his arranging legendary status, but you will also hear about his ability to captain a group of handpicked musicians and turn the “boat” over to them. This talent is probably one of the main reasons he and Davis were such great collaborators. Herbie Hancock: Maiden Voyage Impressionistic jazz at its finest performed by the very innovators who created it. This is the Miles Davis group with the great Freddie Hubbard taking the trumpet chair. This recording persuaded me, and many others, to take up music. Charlie Parker: Massey Hall Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Bud Powell and Bird. Need I say more! These are the founding fathers of Bebop reunited under some unusual circumstances and what ensues is fantastic. There are all kinds of stories surrounding this recording which could fill a trivial pursuit game. You should also listen to Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve so you have exposure to the full genius and language of bebop that he developed. Weather Report: Forecast: Tomorrow To clear the con-fusion regarding “fusion”, this recording is a compilation of some of WR’s finest material and clearly establishes the group’s importance in the evolution of jazz. This is not the easy “smooth jazz” often associated with fusion. Truly a fusion of world musics from folk melodies, funk foundations and grooves, to jazz intricacies and craftsmanship, and musique electronique. Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul, the founders, drummer Peter Erskine, and electric bass innovator Jaco Pastorius came together for several years and perfected the blend of Jazz and Rock/Funk/etc are featured in a DVD within the set. 8:30 stands as one my favorite recordings of the group. Herbie Hancock: Thrust This album set the direction for what some call acid jazz. Whatever you call it, it is the funkiest jazz has ever been. Drummer Mike Clark and bassist Paul Jackson are on fire, and saxophonist Bennie Maupin, who has always had one of the greatest saxophone sounds, is just killing it. Chick Corea: Light as a Feather He took over Herbie Hancock’s chair in Miles’ band and then started his own Return to Forever (RTF) group, which recorded fusion that captivated a huge audience during the 70’s and 80’s. Chick was originally a drummer, and his rhythmic approach to his music shows it. His original Spain spread like a virus across the jazz world – everyone was playing it. Chick also had other projects which are too numerous to list here. RTF paired him with great musicians, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White, who participated in many of his recordings. I am also a huge fan of the Griffith Park projects, which featured Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Chaka Khan in some great arrangements of classic tunes. Joe Henderson: Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn Wayne Shorter claimed much fame, for good reason, as “the” post Rollins/Trane voice. However, Joe Henderson was eventually given proper due for his equally distinctive voice. This recording features Joe in a variety of settings and displays his incredible prowess and sensitivity. I believe this recording even won a Grammy. A year later, he recorded So Near, So Far, a series of tunes recorded by Miles Davis. He also recorded some of my favorite saxophone trio records called State of the Tenor. Woody Shaw : Love Dance I would argue that the late Woody Shaw is the last truly unique trumpet innovator to date. While his cubist compositions help forge what I call the second wave of impressionism of modern jazz during the 70s (including McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter) his trumpet style had an innovative harmonic approach combined with an aggressive rhythmic attack, gorgeous sound, and sensitive lyricism. Art Blakey: Roots and Herbs The University of Art Blakey has many, many famous graduates; quite a few went on to graduate studies with Miles Davis. In some respects, it is ridiculous to try to pick a “best” for any of these artists so I just have to say I love this one. Lee Morgan, the fire-breathing trumpeter, is in rare form and again, a “real group” sound. Art Blakey’s drumming is integral to all post-bop drummers, and his approach to the band has set the pace for everyone since. Moanin also makes these lists. Kenny Garrett: Seeds from the Underground Kenny is probably the greatest alto saxophonist on the scene. Having cut his teeth with Miles Davis and Woody Shaw among others, he’s developed into one of the most distinct and original voices in modern music. Whatever genre he enters from burning Giant Steps to gut bucket funk, he plays with absolute authority, ownership, and creativity. Pick up any of his recordings. Two of my favorites are his recordings Standard of Language and Black Hope featuring the late Joe Henderson. Horace Silver: The Cape Verdean Blues The other “University” was led by former Messenger founder, Horace Silver, whose compositional skills defined post-bop. His “graduates” are a who’s who of greats including Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw, who are featured on this recording alongside legendary trombonist J.J. Johnson and bassist Bob Cranshaw. Song for My Father is another great recording. John McLaughlin: Que Alegria Most famous and historically important for his band, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, this recording highlights McLaughlin in another context, one of many he has explored. This quartet format exposes his soulful and raw musicianship in a semi “unplugged” fashion and justifies his standing as one of our generation’s greatest musicians. Another recording he has is To the One. He founded Mahavishnu Orchestra after being with Miles Davis. One could say there were 3 distinct versions of the group. The last one recorded Mahavishnu in 1984, featuring Billy Cobham and saxophonist Bill Evans. Lee Morgan: Live at the Lighthouse This is some “sh*t” here! Not for the faint-hearted. While jazz was highly eclipsed during the seventies, it certainly didn’t stop folks from doing it or even advancing it. Lee was notoriously cocky – perhaps due to his fame, which came at 16 with Dizzy – and the music has an edge that really displays this direction of Post-Bop music. Also, you literally could pick up any Blue Note recording with Lee Morgan and be treated. Thad Jones/Mel Lewis: Consummation (out of print). Thad Jones is perhaps the most important post-bop composer/arranger in the big band idiom. This band was his workshop for pushing the envelope of modern jazz composition. Thad always kept sight of the groove and his tunes, no matter how complex, always swing. Many composers have one main line/melody that gets subordinate treatment from accompanying parts, and shout chorus material that sounds like a drummer whose legs and hands can only play one rhythm at a time. Not Thad Jones; his lines – all melodies – beautifully weave every direction with unsurpassed harmonic invention. But wait there’s more! If Thad never wrote a note, he would be remembered as a great trumpeter whose improvisations are as good as it gets. A series of great recordings came from Blue Note and the defunct label Horizon. Mosaic issued a box set as well, but I don’t think it is available anymore. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra At Newport Forget it! Founding father Duke has so much music, so many great recordings, so much to offer. Just reach down in the Bins marked Ellington and grab one! Be prepared to hang out for a few hours if you mention Duke to any musician. Wynton Marsalis: Black Codes (From the Underground) The group had been performing as a unit for a long time; the musicians were in top form individually. They were all young, full of P & V and eager to make their mark. They were steeped in the post-bop tradition of the music of Miles, Shorter, Blakey, Trane, Rollins and more. After this recording, they all went on to be leaders and develop their own units – they certainly have been major contributors to the idiom. Drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts brought this band back together for some excellent recording. Geri Allen: Gathering There are not many musicians that become innovators, but Ms. Allen is definitely one of them. Her style is at the forefront of many of the exploratory trails present in jazz today. She left us all too soon but her legacy lives on. Another release which just furthers my case: Timeless Portraits and Dreams Dave Douglas: Magic Triangle He has been getting quite a bit of attention lately but it is for good reason. Like Geri Allen and other seekers, he is pushing the boundaries of the tradition to find something else. This recording also features saxophonist Chris Potter. Roy Haynes: Birds of a Feather Roy’s career goes from Charlie Parker, Coltrane, Monk, Miles, Sarah Vaughn, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Dizzy, Roland Kirk, to Pat Metheny, Danilo Perez and John Patitucci, there is no end to his scope! This recording brings together Roy Hargrove, Kenny Garrett, Dave Holland, David Kikoski and Haynes to perform Bird tunes. It is straight up, no frills, and tastes great. Wayne Shorter: Footprints So this is where jazz is headed and it figures Wayne is the one to takes us there. Finally breaking away from the rut jazz development seems to have gotten stuck in – at least where the music industry has been stuck – we now hear multiple planes of time and harmony existing at the same time. This may be hard to follow for many but hang in there and you will glimpse some real inspiring music. More: Helen Sung: Anthem for a New Day She has a fresh take on the music, very creative arranger, hangs with great players, and is a regular in the Mingus Big Band. This recording features Seamus Blake on saxophone, who is one of the very best around today, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and violinist Regina Carter. Branford Marsalis: Four MFs Playin’ Tunes I love this record because it sounds great, has really great playing, and Branford’s playing is soaked in everything incredible about Sonny Rollins but with an unmistakable style all his own – what more needs to be said? Rick Margitza: Bohemia This is truly a wonderful pastiche of global sounds channeled by one of the top saxophonists on the planet. There is a playful undercurrent throughout this recording which keeps all the incredible craftsmanship – for which Rick is legendary – hidden while delivering a musical journey that makes you feel like you’ve just had one of the best moments in your life. Rick gained fame for recording and concerts with Miles Davis, but his unique approach has made him the study of all saxophonists post-Brecker. Regina Carter: Reverse Thread Ms. Carter is what I call a pure musician. Her sensitivities are such that she could be dropped into any musical situation and soon she would be right at home adding her own voice. Freefall is a wonderful duet with Kenny Barron, and she also released a wonderfully intimate recording featuring clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera: I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey. Mike Stern: Who Let the Cats Out Mike Stern is a guitar phenomenon who gained fame with Miles Davis’ return in the 80s with a band that also featured saxophonist Bill Evans, bassist Marcus Miller, and drummer Al Foster. His continued perfecting of fusing bebop to Hendrix puts his music front and center in an evolutionary branch of modern jazz. Drummer Dennis Chambers, along with high-octane saxophonists Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Bob Franceschini, and various electric bass monsters, give his band a particular energy and style that make it the heir apparent to John McLaughlin and Weather Report. He released Big Neighborhood in 2009. Chris Potter: Alive with Ghosts Potter may have more chops than any other saxophonist of our time but his creativity and tasteful application of those chops make him one of the most amazing players today. You can hear Wayne and Newk in his playing, but he definitely has his own style. He keeps some very fast company and his music is energetic. Another recording is Lift, Live at the Village Vanguard. Robert Hurst: Bob Ya Head Bob Hurst was practically an innovator when he was still in his teens. The ability to set the groove with the strength and reliability of the great bassists from Paul Chambers to Ray Brown while constructing gravity-defying lines like Jaco Pastorius or Ron Carter makes him a phenomenon. Were he to be a sideman alone, he would have gained prominence in the jazz world from his many collaborations with the majors, but he is a composer with great imagination as evidenced by this recording and the production. Ravi Coltrane: Mad 6 Ravi is John Coltrane’s son. Picking up his father’s exact instrument was never going to be a modest undertaking — but Ravi has made himself one of the most distinctive saxophonists working today, with the same commitment to honest, engaging music. |