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Request for Recommendations

67.187.219.9
Posted on February 3, 2021 at 09:43:05
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 I've recently been listening to what I assume is a well known jazz recording, Night Lights by Gerry Mulligan. It contain pieces by the Gerry Mulligan sextet and the quintet as well. This is truly mellow jazz but tuneful and interesting unlike the scads of "smooth jazz" that's out there. So what I'm requesting from you jazz experts is recommendations for other music of this style, quality and calibre. (Of course I'm already a fan of Kind of Blue.)

Thanks,
Laszlo

 

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A few more...., posted on February 11, 2021 at 16:04:44
Vegman70
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Location: N.E. Ohio
Joined: February 20, 2016
 A couple more that I like are "The Paul Desmond Quartet Live" and "Concierto" with Jim Hall, Paul Desmond, and Chet Baker. And if you are still into DVD video, I highly recommend "Jazz on a Summer's Day" with many jazz greats in a live concert recording.

Unless your library still has it in DVD, it seems "Summer's day" is now only available in Blue ray or Streaming formats:

https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Summers-Day-Louis-Armstrong/dp/B08MBHB1CP/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=jazz+on+a+summer%27s+day&qid=1613087510&s=movies-tv&sr=1-2

 

Lots of good recs here ... I need to do some exploring, posted on February 6, 2021 at 07:50:05
SamA
Audiophile

Posts: 2902
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: February 12, 2004
 and check out some of these recommendations.

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 5, 2021 at 11:22:10
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8475
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Stan Getz, Albums - Serenity and Anniversary - Really well done.
Gsquared

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 6, 2021 at 04:45:06
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 +1. Excellent

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 5, 2021 at 05:59:59
suretyguy
Audiophile

Posts: 3022
Location: western Missouri
Joined: October 9, 2001
 All kinds of great suggestions here...should keep you busy for a while!

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 4, 2021 at 06:38:41
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 Ike Quebec - It Might As Well Be Spring
Lucky Thompson -Tricotism
Chet Baker - Chet
Sonny Rollins - The Bridge
Tadd Dameron - The Magic Touch
Modern Jazz Quartet - Django
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage
Oliver Nelson - Stolen Moments
Gigi Gryce - The Rat Race Blues
Miles Davis - Lift To The Scaffold (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud)

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 4, 2021 at 10:11:32
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thanks for all the recommendations. I've placed several orders already, including Chet Baker - Chet. But I'm going to wait until these arrive before I proceed further.

 

Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall 1961 and Birth of the Cool, posted on February 4, 2021 at 01:40:04
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4378
Joined: October 20, 2000
 Since you like Kind of Blue, you should also like Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall 1961. Some of the same musicians like Jimmy Cobb, Paul Chambers and Wynton Kelly, plus some gorgeous arrangements from Gil Evans. It's great album. And if you like this one, try Quiet Nights with mostly the same personnel and Gil Evans arrangements. 1963.

But how about Birth of the Cool? Another great and groundbreaking album featuring the likes of Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis, J J Johnson and Lee Konitz. Jazz history! Amazing that these tracks were recorded in 1949-50. Way, way ahead of their time.

 

RE: Have a listen, posted on February 3, 2021 at 19:33:26
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 Chet


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Have a listen, posted on February 3, 2021 at 20:54:01
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 ordered. Thanks!

 

RE: Chet Baker's Chet is another must have, posted on February 3, 2021 at 19:18:13
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 Check out the reviews. As to Paul Desmond and as I am pickier than most I would recommend you start out with Polka Dots and Moonbeams and Take 10. His best work IMO.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Chet Baker's Chet is another must have, posted on February 4, 2021 at 07:51:48
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 I included that on my list. It's just what the guy is looking for...beautiful album.

 

RE: Chet Baker's Chet is another must have, posted on February 3, 2021 at 21:10:52
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Just ordered. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

RE: Chet In New York for $8.50 on ebay, posted on February 3, 2021 at 19:05:50
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 nt
So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Chet In New York for $8.50 on ebay, posted on February 3, 2021 at 20:57:00
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Ordered. Thanks!

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 18:49:23
Ozzie
Audiophile

Posts: 3814
Joined: August 1, 2002
 Smooth jazz is just that. Smooth. It also is lacking to some people, myself included. Once you get bit by the old school cats, '49 to '59, there ain't no looking back. Many are listed here.

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 20:58:16
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 I agree. I get all the smooth jazz I can use for background music on FM radio. When I buy I'd like to buy something I can live with for a long time.

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 17:34:32
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13973
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 Anything by MJQ (Modern Jazz Quartet) and Paul Desmond (not with Brubeck).

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 20:59:52
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 When I was in Junior High School I became quite a Brubeck fan. I would buy each record as it came out. But during my college years I fell out of love with Brubeck and gave away my entire collection. If I never hear Take Five or Blue Rondo A la Turk again it will be too soon.

 

See below: RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 17:05:37
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 See below...posted to wrong spot

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 14:47:39
rivervalley817
 I have one more suggestion

go to the link:

good luck!

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 21:01:17
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thanks. I've bookmarked it. Looks interesting.

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 14:40:06
Flatwound
Audiophile

Posts: 58
Location: Georgia
Joined: January 27, 2011
 Joe Lovano is an accomplished saxophonist you might enjoy. 2 recent releases feature Joe with pianist Marilyn Crispell- you can stream them to see what you think.

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 4, 2021 at 05:12:21
Flatwound
Audiophile

Posts: 58
Location: Georgia
Joined: January 27, 2011
 Here's a youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8oTGnkk3JA

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 21:04:37
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thanks. Could not find him with Marily Crispell on Youtube. Do you happen to have a link?

 

JazzWax, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:26:49
belyin
Audiophile

Posts: 1285
Location: New Orleans
Joined: November 1, 2003
 I suggest you keep an eye out for the jazzwax blog. Marc Myers posts daily about classic jazz (and sometime too much mid 50's pop for my taste) that almost always includes extended clips. This week he has covered classic ballads by Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, and Dexter Gordon, and I am guessing each of these players would be right up your alley.

 

Here you go! Some cool tracks and ballades, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:26:44
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4378
Joined: October 20, 2000
 I'd strongly suggest you sample some of these on Youtube or elsewhere. They're all classic albums.

John Coltrane - Ballads.... One of the ultimate pleasures in cool listening.
Herbie Hancock - Speak Like A Child.... A masterpiece and a must-have
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Stone Flower.... I can't recommend this highly enough. Gorgeous.
Freddy Hubbard - Ballads.... some very nice cool tracks
Getz + Gilberto.... the classic bossa nova tracks, a huge hit since it came out
Stan Getz - The Lost Sessions, Bossa and Ballads.... Mr Cool Saxophone. Nice tracks.
Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil.... classic album and still one of his absolute best
George Benson - Breezin.... classic tracks like Nature Boy and This Masquerade

Videos
Diana Krall - Live in Paris .... some gorgeous ballades and string arrangements by Claus Ogerman

Left Field Choices
Archie Shepp + Horace Parlan - Goin' Home, and Trouble in Mind....very soulful blues + spirituals
Dr John - Afterglow.... Some wonderful cool tracks with jazz arrangements. New Orleans magic.
Baden Powell - Os Afro Sambas.... wonderful cool sambas, a classic from 1966

 

RE: Here you go! Some cool tracks and ballades, posted on February 3, 2021 at 17:04:46
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 Ike Quebec - It Might As Well Be Spring
Lucky Thompson -Tricotism
Chet Baker - Chet
Sonny Rollins - The Bridge
Tadd Dameron - The Magic Touch
Modern Jazz Quartet - Django
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage
Oliver Nelson - Stolen Moments
Gigi Gryce - The Rat Race Blues
Miles Davis - Lift To The Scaffold (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud)

 

Ivan Lins - the ultimate cool bossas, posted on February 3, 2021 at 12:01:35
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4378
Joined: October 20, 2000
 I'm a huge fan of Ivan Lins - cool bossa nova sounds in beautiful arrangements. Very jazz influenced. Try these:

Depois dos temporais https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rdaVBBEltA
The Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RinGB2Gf9pM
Lembra De Mim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch2pKqCm988
Amor Assim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJZ-n0bhB84
Madelena https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rOg0jkP65A&list=RDLIMBzqZoma4&index=2 (With Big Band)

 

RE: Here you go! Some cool tracks and ballades, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:53:02
dean_martin
Audiophile

Posts: 1747
Location: lower alabama
Joined: January 26, 2006
 If you find you like the bossa albums (Getz/Gilberto; Stone Flower) recommended by andy, then check out Ike Quebec's Soul Samba, too.

 

RE: Here you go! Some cool tracks and ballades, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:36:31
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thank you. The people on this site are incredibly helpful. I will explore your suggestions.

 

RE: Here you go! Some cool tracks and ballades, posted on February 3, 2021 at 14:17:06
rivervalley817
 yeah, we'll spend your $$ for you in a hurry!

regards,

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 10:10:56
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 The unique mystical nature of Night Lights will be hard to come by if not impossible but there is a good deal of very deep, lyrical music put out by Bill Evans, Art Farmer and Chet Baker that you may well like. To begin with I would recommend two by Art Farmer, Gentle Eyes and The Summer Knows, the impeccable You Must Believe in Spring by Bill Evans and Chet in New York.






So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

+1, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:46:52
rivervalley817
 +1 ... very nice reco!

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 10:31:02
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thanks. I ordered the Art Farmer but your other recommendations appear to be rare collector items at very high prices so I'm afraid I have to pass on those.

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 10:50:00
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 The Bill Evans disk is a must and can be had for $6.11 used plus shipping. Below is Dmitri Matheny playing one of Art Farmer's fluglehorns. He has a jazz noir cd out that I haven't heard yet. Art Farmer is on Night Lights. Dmtri was one of Art's students. He would probably be a great person to ask this question to. Very nice person. I got to hold this fluglehorn one evening a couple of years ago. It was a moving experience for me as I feel that Art Farmer was one of the greats. I have heard Dmtri play like three times in the last 4 years or so and he has always played this horn.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:02:14
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Would you be kind enough to send me a link to where I can purchase the bill Evans, You Must Believe in Spring for $6.11. The lowest price I find on Amazon is for $27. Thanks!

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:24:54
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 It is an outrage that this Evan's cd is not in print. This is one of the finest pieces of music the human race has ever put out. The recording below by Frank Morgan of the same title is a bit out of the real of what you were asking for but it is another desert island recording and well worth picking up at this price. The last few times I looked people were asking like $40 for it. If you don't snap it up let me know cause I will either get it myself or tell someone else to buy it. I have seen these crazy prices on cd before and eventually found things at a normal price.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:15:09
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7715
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 Dam, I could have sworn I saw it at $6.11. Here's one for near $20. Still well worth is for this desert island recording. You can hear at least the title song on Youtube.




So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 11:31:54
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Ordered it. Thanks!

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 09:59:19
rivervalley817
 I'll suggest Stanley Turrentine as an artist, and the linked disc as introduction ... also recommend that if you go to Discogs, or Amazon and type in Gerry Mulligan, or any artist / style that you're interested in you'll get several suggestions returned for other works

be well,

 

RE: Request for Recommendations, posted on February 3, 2021 at 10:23:05
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thanks so much for your suggestions. I have ordered the Turpentine CD and also Gerry Mulligan meets Ben Webster.

 

Verve Meets series and Jazz Masters..., posted on February 3, 2021 at 12:18:28
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31872
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004



Webster Meets Mulligan Meets Hodges Meets Getz Meets Giuffre Meets Chet Meets...

Verve (which encapsulated Norman Granz' Clef, Norgran and material from Mercury Records labels
while becoming a powerhouse source of new recordings as well) is a great label to pursue for
pre and post bop "straight ahead" jazz combos playing well arranged, tuneful songs and versions
of The Great American Songbook canon.

You have the creme de creme of the finest players in jazz, period.

Avoid the 1940's JATP releases for now maybe.

The Jazz Masters series are good intros.

Much of these players "cross over" into the West Coast Jazz of the Pacific Jazz Label too
and that is a label Mulligan recorded much for.

Check them out.

For a bit more bounce to the modal, check out the Prestige subsidies Swingville and Moodsville.

There is a whole Galaxy (another record label) of fantastic, satisfying TRUE jazz (check out the Fantasy
label too) that will ring your bell if you dig that Mulligan LP that has NOTHING to do with the sad handle
and pigeonhole of the"smooth Jazz" stamp of slow death.

I envy your journey and Discovery (ANOTHER label to check out) into this rich, plentiful world of recordings.


"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure




 

RE: Verve Meets series and Jazz Masters..., posted on February 3, 2021 at 21:07:40
LaszloPhoto
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Location: Central California
Joined: June 15, 2004
 Thanks for this helpful information. At this point I'm reaching saturation point with recommendations but at least I do have a path to follow. Much appreciate your concern.

 

Baby steps..., posted on February 3, 2021 at 23:02:58
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31872
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 it IS overwhelming what is available.

It should be an enjoyable journey, so take your time to do so.

The music will be waiting for you when you arrive!

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

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