Jazz

I'm a lightweight when it comes to jazz. BeBop, Hard Bop, Fusion, Free Jazz, Modal Jazz, they all chase me away with aggressive and/or chaotic music, loud and frenzied horns. I've heard lots of those styles, and I can appreciate even what I do not enjoy. But I'm more of a Cool Jazz, West Coast Jazz, Pop-Jazz type of guy. I like female jazz singers, classic trios from the fifties and sixties, and generally more mellow, less challenging fare. This isn't a list of the finest jazz, and I'm not qualified for that list. But I think these are all very good records, and they strike a chord with me. I went through the stacks looking for my favorites. All of these records get played frequently around here.

Karrin Allyson In Blue 2002 There's a theme, and it is done brilliantly. 

George Benson The Other Side of Abbey Road 1970 Odd choice, odd record. Fascinating reinterpretation.

Kenny Burrell Midnight Blue 1963 Bluesy jazz guitar from a master.

Eva Cassidy Live At Blues Alley 1996 An amazing voice. Jazz-pop of the highest order.

Nat King Cole After Midnight 1957/2006 The trio with soloists on most songs. Cole's voice and piano are smooth as silk. The reissued 2 LP version from 2006 is sonic nirvana, but it will be great however you get to hear it.

John Coltrane My Favorite Things 1961 Not many sax players on this list, but this is irresistible.

Bill Evans Sunday at the Village Vanguard 1961 One of the two greatest piano trios at the top of their game. All the praise of Scott Lafaro is well-deserved. 

Bill Frisell Good Dog, Happy Man 1999 There's plenty of great Frisell records, this is my pick.

Melody Gardot My One And Only Thrill 2009 Sensuous. 

Original Chico Hamilton Quartet Complete Studio Recordings 2006 West Coast jazz, mellow and distinctive. 

Milt Jackson and the Monty Alexander Trio Soul Fusion 1978 Fine jazz piano trio plus Jackson's vibes. Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton many years before they were Diana Krall's rhythm section.

John Handy Hard Work 1976 Funky jazz-blues.

Ahmad Jamal At The Pershing: But Not For Me 1958 The other of the two greatest piano trios. 

Norah Jones The Fall 2009 I'm not sure this is jazz, but it's my favorite of Jones' work.

Stacey Kent Breakfast On The Morning Tram 2007 Kazuo Ishiguro provides the lyrics for Jim Tomlinson's music on the four best tracks. The rest is well-chosen covers. Kent's singing is always the star. 

Diana Krall Live In Paris 2002 The voice, the piano chops, the amazing small combo. Wow.

Peggy Lee Ultimate Peggy Lee 2020 Great vinyl pressing that combines her Decca and Capitol recordings in one place.

Robin McKelle Mess Around 2010 The best singer you never heard in your life. 

Maceo Parker Roots and Grooves 2008 Maceo with the WRD Big Band Cologne do a tribute to Ray Charles and then give a master class in funk. Indispensable. 

Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours 1955 The concept album is invented. And Frank sings every song perfectly.

Frank Sinatra Classic Sinatra- His Great Performances 1953-1960 2000 A fine compilation of Frank's greatest fifties hits for Columbia, his peak period.

Frank Sinatra Moonlight Sinatra 1966 Nelson Riddle and Sinatra on Frank's most woefully neglected album. Strangers In The Night came out three months later.

Cal Tjader Soul Sauce 1964 I just love vibes.

Allen Toussaint The Bright Mississippi 2009 Toussaint's late career masterpiece, and an all-star supporting cast.

Cassandra Wilson Blue Skies 1988 Wilson takes on the great American songbook. Mulgrew Miller, Lonnie Plaxico and Terri Lyne Carrington provide trio support.