Where do I start with the whole genre of Jazz?

Electrophonic Tonic · 08-04-2011, 09:16 PM

For me, getting into Jazz was like being that guy who takes 10 minutes to get into a swimming pool.

Prog rock led me to the Canterbury sound. That lead me to more of the rock-based fusion bands (Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago). They led me to the more jazz influenced fusions bands (Mahavishnu Orchestra) They led me to Miles Davis' 'In a Silent Way'. I then took a jazz history class at college and my horizons opened completely from there.

Sneer · 08-04-2011, 10:36 PM

I started with Black Saint & Sinner Lady, mostly because Radiohead mentioned Charles Mingus as an influence. From there I started exploring Miles Davis, Albert Ayler, Lee Morgan, David Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Parker, Mulatu Astatke, Thelonius Monk and my favourite, John Coltrane.

I'm still far from knowledgeable on jazz, but I'm enjoying the voyage of discovery. I'd say listening to any one of those musicians would be a good start.

Burning Down · 08-05-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

I started with Black Saint & Sinner Lady, mostly because Radiohead mentioned Charles Mingus as an influence. From there I started exploring Miles Davis, Albert Ayler, Lee Morgan, David Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Parker, Mulatu Astatke, Thelonius Monk and my favourite, John Coltrane.

I'm still far from knowledgeable on jazz, but I'm enjoying the voyage of discovery. I'd say listening to any one of those musicians would be a good start.

That's a really good selection of artists to start with. I love them all!

Howard the Duck · 08-05-2011, 06:33 AM

i dunno, i always thought the ideal place would be the less technical, poppier stuff like Manhattan Transfer

Lord Dweedle · 08-06-2011, 04:29 PM

Try Fats Domino & BB King, they are brilliant, and their music also helped pioneer early Rock & Roll

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 08-08-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Dweedle

Try Fats Domino & BB King, they are brilliant, and their music also helped pioneer early Rock & Roll

BB King is Jazz?

**Janszoon** · 08-08-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

i dunno, i always thought the ideal place would be the less technical, poppier stuff like Manhattan Transfer

That would definitely not have been a good place for me to start but that certainly underscores the fact that the answer really depends on the person.

Badlittlekitten · 08-10-2011, 06:37 AM

I've started to deeply get into jazz this year. It's exciting getting into a whole new genre of music, especially one so wide.

Coltrane's Giant Steps is where I started and it's still one of me faves. I recommend it as a starting point as it is completly accessible. And bloody brilliant.

Howard the Duck · 08-10-2011, 07:13 AM

i just got Black Saint and Giant Steps

haven't listened to them yet, though

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 08-10-2011, 11:51 PM

'Symphony for Improvisors' by Don Cherry is an incredible listen if you can stomach the song lengths.

08-04-2011, 10:36 PM	#42 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	I started with Black Saint & Sinner Lady, mostly because Radiohead mentioned Charles Mingus as an influence. From there I started exploring Miles Davis, Albert Ayler, Lee Morgan, David Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Parker, Mulatu Astatke, Thelonius Monk and my favourite, John Coltrane. I'm still far from knowledgeable on jazz, but I'm enjoying the voyage of discovery. I'd say listening to any one of those musicians would be a good start. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

08-10-2011, 06:37 AM	#48 (permalink)
Badlittlekitten And then there was music Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Near Wild Heaven Posts: 287	I've started to deeply get into jazz this year. It's exciting getting into a whole new genre of music, especially one so wide. Coltrane's Giant Steps is where I started and it's still one of me faves. I recommend it as a starting point as it is completly accessible. And bloody brilliant. __________________ 'Said do you feel it? Do you feel it when you TOUCH ME?. THERE'S A FIRE! THERE'S A FIRE!' The Stooges. Dirt. https://soundcloud.com/bad-little-kittens My Top 100 LPs My Top 52 Indie Tracks Of The 21st Century (incomplete)

08-04-2011, 09:16 PM	#41 (permalink)
Electrophonic Tonic Your Ad Here Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 876	For me, getting into Jazz was like being that guy who takes 10 minutes to get into a swimming pool. Prog rock led me to the Canterbury sound. That lead me to more of the rock-based fusion bands (Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago). They led me to the more jazz influenced fusions bands (Mahavishnu Orchestra) They led me to Miles Davis' 'In a Silent Way'. I then took a jazz history class at college and my horizons opened completely from there.

08-06-2011, 04:29 PM	#45 (permalink)
Lord Dweedle Music Addict Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 127	Try Fats Domino & BB King, they are brilliant, and their music also helped pioneer early Rock & Roll

08-10-2011, 11:51 PM	#50 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	'Symphony for Improvisors' by Don Cherry is an incredible listen if you can stomach the song lengths.