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I need some Jazz advice

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My music taste is very varied and I do like to listen to one type and then move onto another. At the moment I would like to start listening to some jazz.
My experience in this genre is rather lacking but I really do like what I have heard in the past. I've just bought a couple of oldie Louis Armstrong CDs to wet my appetite but I would really like the advice of you peeps who know what you like and why. Any favourites you have? Any particular group that you think stand out? Any beginner music that you think would suit everybody? All opinions are wanted.
I'm thinking something to listen to while I tap away at this keyboard doing my work. Nice easy music with a bit of a beat or rhythm to get me motivated.
Thanks,
Mattmoleman.
I'm not a great fan of jazz but you can't beat Ella Fitzgerald. I HATE the unformed free-flow stuff, it really really grates on my nerves so I'm not best placed to comment.
"In the still of the night....."
lol
Quote by Jags
I HATE the unformed free-flow stuff, it really really grates on my nerves so I'm not best placed to comment.

Yeah, I thought I wouldn't like it either. Sometimes it just doesn't sound right but then you get times when it is spot on and leaves you in awe.
I will check the late Ella Fitzgerald out. Thanks for your advice Jags.
I listen to all types of music, I recently bought 'salt' by Liz Wright, she is more contemporary, and it's not to bad, it chilled out. I bought it as there were positive review stickers all over her album, you should check it out!
My jazz experience is very limited too. Every now and then I'll buy a CD at random, and sometimes get lucky. Alan Pasqua "Milagro" was good. Easy to listen to, but not boring or shallow.
Ive heard two particular comments regarding jazz that struck home and made alot of sense to me .
the first was in one of my favourite movies The Commitments
" Jazz is just musical wanking......."
The second and most accurate was from the great Otis Lee Crenshaw
" Jazz aint nuthin but the sound of a decent blues quartet fallin down a flight of stairs "
Check out Jazz by Ry Cooder... it aint so much Jazz but it is Ry Cooder.... and so is good... I have it on LP CD and cassette.... but then I love Ry cooder...
otherwise listen to some jazz FM or even Parkie on a Sunday morning on R2
Jazz is so varied so much to enjoy as with so much other music
Mirth
I always said I didn't like jazz-until I actually began to listen to it (when my daughter began to sing it in a band). Admittedly, I don't like the 'pure' stuff, although I admire the skills, but love the blues/ folk/world crossover stuff. Robert Cray is excellent, Ry Cooder-as Mirth says-is brilliant, Cuban stuff (eg Beuna Vista Social Club) is good, some of the contempoary singers are good-Diana Krull, Norah Jones, Michael Buble et al. I'm only just beginning to discover just how broad a church it is.
But, if you want something to accompany you at the keyboard, I steel vote Ludovico Einaudi way out in front...
WOW, thankyou everybody for this contribution. Lots of names and variations too.
I'll have a few words with my friends and see what they can recommend from the list given. After that my keyboard typing should improve. Hopefully mood too. sad
Cheers.
Matt.
Some suggestions (slightly piano-biased); I would suggest starting with the first couple of names:
Oscar Peterson
Dave Brubeck (try his 'Time Out' album)
Duke Ellington
Thelonious Monk
Bill Evans
Charles Mingus
Charlier Parker
Keith Jarrett
Art Blakey
John Coltrane
Chick Corea
Dizzie Gillespie
Miles Davis
Jack Dupree
Jelly Roll Morton
Art Tatum
Count Basie
Fats Waller
Charlie Byrd
Bobby McFerrin
Quote by artificer
Robert Cray is excellent, Ry Cooder-as Mirth says-is brilliant, Cuban stuff (eg Beuna Vista Social Club) is good, some of the contempoary singers are good-Diana Krull, ( suspect you mean Diana Krall .... mrs Elvis costello Arti )Norah Jones, Michael Buble et al. I'm only just beginning to discover just how broad a church it is.
.

Get the buena vista social club rorm the video shop.... it is a must...the music is so sexy....
and I do not say that readily... those cubans know how to move even I can see the wicked glint in their aged eyes
Re jazz
just about anything Ry Cooder has been involved in... not always Jazz but always musically interesting.. Not least his North african stuff...
Mirth
Jowzer.... :shock:
I don't think I'll have any time to do my work. I'll be too busy listening to all this music. rolleyes
I'll see what I can find in the shops tommorrow and I'm sure I'll report a big thank you to all who have given me these names. If there is anything I can do for you just shout. Or mail me, either way is good.
I too might think about this kind of music, MrFC likes Blues, but I have listened to Alexandra Saffina....... compaired to what I usually listen too, and I do like his music.......
I Love Latin singing whether it is the church or CD .
I used to sing in Latin as a young thing and I don't think you can beat it, its just so original..... but that is my opinion!!!
Quote by MrsFC
I Love Latin singing whether it is the church or CD .
I used to sing in Latin as a young thing and I don't think you can beat it, its just so original..... but that is my opinion!!!

Mrs FC,
I so know what you mean... memories of a boy soprano singing in latin in the Manchester Free Trade Hall, altho have to admit it did sound so much better at Stand church just next to the old school....
Voice has gone downhill over past 30+ years due to lack odf practise!!!
Mirth
Just a big Thank You All for the advice of the various artists. I can confirm I have only bought the three albums/collections but what I have bought has been through your suggestions.
biggrin Ella Fitzgerald - Gold
Thank you. Silly me didn't realise this album doesn't have the "In the still of the night..." Jags mentioned. Still haven't heard all of the songs though as there are 39 of them. :shock:
cool Buena Vista Social Club - Ry Cooder et al
I recognised a few of these but I wouldn't have guessed who they were by. Very good music, listening to it now actually. Sham I don't understand what they say but hey that’s not the point....
worship Diana Krall - Girl In The Other Room
I have to admit this was my favourite. Such a silky voice and some real catchy music. Temptation is out of this world. A Huge Recommendation on this.
HANG ON :!: HANG ON :!: I haven't had my go yet - Shit another one I've missed - I'm never going out again Bollocks :!:
I like the more melodic end of jazz or jazz close to blues. Two of my favourites are Billie Holiday (her interpretation is just exquisite - the equal - dare I say better of Ella?) and a 1970's classic album 'Breezin'' by George Benson. It's not musical wanking but it is almost orgasmic - Aaaaah :!:
John Coltrane is my favourite jazz musician... Try :