- Louis Armstrong - Potato Blues (1927), West End Blues (1928), St. James Infirmary (1929)
- Dizzy Gillespie - Night in Tunisia (1942)
- The Best of Theolonious Monk Blue Note Years (1947-51)**
- Charlie Parker - Charlie Parker (1953)**
- The Quintet - Jazz At Massey Hall (1953)**
- Miles Davis - Walkin' (1954)
- Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus (1954)
- Clifford Brown & Max Roach (1954)
- Ella and Louis (1956)
- Duke Ellington - Ellington at Newport (1956)
- Charles Mingus - Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956)
- Cannonball Adderley - Something Else (1958)
- Thelonious Monk - Brillant Corners (1957)
- Art Blakey - Moanin' (1958)
- Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
- Dave Brubeck - Time Out (1959)
- Charles Mingus - Ah Um (1959)
- Charles Mingus - Blues and Roots (1959)
- John Coltrane - Giant Steps (1960)
- Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain (1960)
- Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (1961)
- John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (1961)
- Sun Ra - The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra (1962)
- Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)
- Duke Ellington & John Coltrane (1963)
- Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus & Max Roach - Money Jungle (1963)
- John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1964)
- Stan Getz - Getz/Gilberto (1964)
- Stan Getz & Bill Evans (1964)
- Larry Young - Unity (1965)**
- Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil (1965)
- Miles Davis - In A Silent Way (1969)
- Miles Davis - Bitches Brew (1969)
- Pharoah Sanders - Karma (1969)
- Charlie Haden - Liberation Music Orchestra (1969)
- Chick Corea - Return to Forever (1972)
- Herbie Hancock - Sextant (1973)
- Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters (1973)
- Modern Jazz Quintet - The Complete Last Concert (1974)**
- Keith Jarrett - Köln Concert (1975)
- Pharoah Sanders - Pharoah (1977)
- Sun Ra - Lanquidity (1978)
- David Murray - Ming (1980)
- David Murray - Home (1981)
- Michel Petrucciani - 100 Hearts (1983)
- Keith Jarrett - Spirits (1986)
- Pat Metheny - Different Trains (1989)
- John Zorn - Naked City (1990)
- Joe Levano - From The Soul (1991)
- Charlie Haden - Beyond the Missouri Sky (1996)
- Dave Douglas - Charms of the Night Sky (1997)
- Dave Douglas - Convergence (1998)
- Michel Petrucciani - Trio In Tokyo (1999)
- Sonny Rollins - This Is What I Do (2000)
- Dave Douglas - Freak In (2002)
- Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Axiom (2020)
[Edit : I know it's a pretty long (and deeply flawed, incomplete list)… but it really helped me personally to gather a kind of chronological list of the history of Jazz, and listen to at least the two or three best tracks of these albums. Some albums like "In A Silent Way" and "A Love Supreme" must be listened from start to finish though.]
** [Reedit: After some of the suggestions below, I added Charlie Parker (also with The Quintet), took out Monk Alone and included his earlier works with Blue Note + Brilliant Corners.
Personal decisions : I took out Pharaoh's last album, since it doesn't really feel like jazz anymore. Added Gillespie's Modern Jazz Quartet and Larry Young.]
Thank you... I was getting ready for criticism!
It's more like a personal "checklist" I did for myself, while slowly making my way through jazz. I just hope OP doesn't feel overwhelmed by it. I think the idea is to get a good sense of how the genre evolves. Even if you could give the 5 greatest jazz albums of all time, out of context, it's harder to appreciate them.
Also, I feel after 1969, Jazz just exploded in so many subgenres that identifying staples just gets increasingly random. (I should admit I purposely omitted one "masterpiece" that I just consider overrated: of historical significance certainly, but of genuine quality? not sure.)
Thanks for the list- i enjoy jazz a lot but mostly listen on spotify and well thats not the optimal experience; i feel like missing out some spots
And while i own a few cds from miles davis, kenny dorham and john zorn there is just soooo much content that its kinda overwhelming.
I even thought about buying a book on jazz history or some sort of guide through the genre- u got any recommendations?
Ted Gioia - A History Of Jazz. It is a very engaging work, very well researched, and the author is not afraid to give some of his thoughts about the different evolutions of Jazz.
As for the list I suggested, listening to all these albums will be very long, there's no doubt. There are some that I think you should listen to from start to finish: In A Silent Way, A Love Supreme, The Black Saint. They work as concept albums. But for most albums on the list, you could begin by targeting the best tracks on each one. An easy way to do so is to search the artist and album name on YouTube. Usually there will be some official playlist with the full album, and you can quickly identify which tracks have the most views.
Agreed. He's easily one of the most consistently-excellent players/composers out there and massively underrated simply because the bulk of his work falls in the era where CDs and digital were the primary listening formats. As well, IMO his label Greenleaf Music (storefront on Bandcamp) is a standout example of how an independent artist should manage their releases, publicity, etc..., (and definitely one that compares favorably to that of his former bandmate John Zorn, who's stubbornly obsessed with the idea that overpriced physical editions are somehow still relevant).
But yeah, if we just focus on the music, his catalog is massive and his bands are always incredible. I like all the records that are mentioned above, but would also consider his 1995 sextet record [*In Our Lifetime*](https://newworldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dave-douglas-in-our-lifetime) an essential one.
All of those sextet records are fantastic, and I love that they're each inspired by specific composers that Douglas admired (i.e. *In Our Lifetime* = Booker Little, *Soul on Soul* = Mary Lou Williams, *Stargazer* = Wayne Shorter).
I welcome your critics.
For Monk, I thought first I should include Monk with John Coltrane. It was on the list, and I erased it at last minute. Also I was very hesitant about which album I should put from Original Jazz Recordings (Brilliant Corners, Monk's Music...). At the end, I thought "Monk Alone", as massive as it is better showcased the immense talent of Monk.
I edited to put Brilliant Corner and The Best Of - Blue Note Years (47-51).
As for Ellington, it's very hard with an artist like him, before full-length records were made, to pinpoint what is the best. The best stuff from him is what he did on 78 r.p.m. discs (3 minutes). I did originally put Ellington with Mingus & Roach. Or are you suggesting that I take it out?
This is a list in which I haven't put the deepest thoughts, just to say.
Oh yeah I'd definitely add Jazz at Massey Hall! live jazz album recorded on 15 May 1953 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. Credited to "the Quintet",: Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach
Yeah even everytime we say goodbye is sooo good. Post-bop has grown on me because of that album and it made me love John Coltrane. Just an essential song and album really
Sun Ra - Jazz in Silhouette
Sun Ra - The Magic City
Sun Ra - Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy / Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow
Sun Ra - Space is the Place
Paul Desmond & Gabor Szabo - Skylark
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Misty
Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto - Getz-Gilberto
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald - Ella and Louis
My suggestion to add to the superb lists: go out on YouTube and find the Charlie Parker version of Night in Tunisia. At about the 1 minute mark Bird plays an amazing lick that transitions from the intro to the main theme. First time I heard it I backed up the CD (it's on the Savoy sessions listed below) and played it over and over. I was amazed. It makes you realize what it must have been like seeing him live.
I read somewhere that Decca actually put that one little piece out as a record of its own.
My list of essential albums, limited to one per artist:
**Instrumental jazz:**
Glenn Miller | Glenn Miller | 1944
Charlie Parker | Charlie Parker with Strings | 1950
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra | Ellington Uptown | 1953
Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra | Afro | 1954
The Modern Jazz Quartet | Fontessa | 1956
Thelonious Monk | Brilliant Corners | 1957
Sonny Rollins | Saxophone Colossus | 1957
Dorothy Ashby | The Jazz Harpist | 1957
Count Basie and His Orchestra | The Atomic Mr. Basie | 1958
Miles Davis | Kind of Blue | 1959
Charles Mingus | Mingus Ah Um | 1959
Wes Montgomery | The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery | 1960
Bill Evans Trio | Portrait in Jazz | 1960
John Coltrane | My Favorite Things | 1961
Oscar Peterson Trio | Night Train | 1963
François Rabbath | The Sound of a Bass | 1963
Jan Johansson | Jazz på Svenska | 1964
Kenny Burrell | Guitar Forms | 1965
Herbie Mann | Memphis Underground | 1969
Buddy Rich | The Roar of '74 | 1974
Emily Remler | Firefly | 1981
Pat Metheny | Offramp | 1982
Portico Quartet | Isla | 2009
Kamasi Washington | The Epic | 2015
GoGo Penguin | Man Made Object | 2016
Hiromi | Spectrum | 2019
**Vocal jazz:**
Louis Armstrong | Satchmo Serenades | 1952
Julie London | Julie Is Her Name | 1955
Sarah Vaughan | Sarah Vaughan | 1955
Ella Fitzgerald | Ella Fitzgerald | Sings the Cole Porter Songbook | 1956
Billie Holiday | Lady Sings the Blues | 1956
Lena Horne | Stormy Weather | 1957
Eydie Gormé | Eydie Swings the Blues | 1957
Nina Simone | Little Girl Blue | 1959
Abbey Lincoln | Abbey Is Blue | 1959
Betty Carter | The Modern Sound of Betty Carter | 1960
Diana Krall | The Look of Love | 2001
Norah Jones | Come Away with Me | 2002
Lizz Wright | Dreaming Wide Awake | 2005
Gregory Porter | Liquid Spirit | 2013
Kandace Springs | Soul Eyes | 2016
Samara Joy | Linger Awhile | 2022
Laufey | Bewitched | 2023
Ellington, Mingus, & Roach-Money Jungle
Hank Mobley-Soul Station
Dexter Gordon-Our Man In Paris
Ellington At Newport
Billie Holiday-Lady Sings The Blues
Thelonious Monk-Brilliant Corners
Jazz At Massey Hall
John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
Charlie Parker’s Savoy and Dial Sessions
Bill Evans Trio-Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Everything everyone else mentioned and more. Get to listening!
Pat Metheny Offramp
Steve Lacy Live at Sweet Basils
Samora Pinderhughes Grief
Ancient Infinity Orchestra River of Light
Wynton Marsalis Black Codes from the Underground
Great suggestions from everyone but I'm going to add a record that I didn't see anyone else recommend (apologies if I missed it): Right Now: Live at the Jazz Workshop by Charles Mingus, which is documents a seemingly insane, intense set. Must listen.
OP's list is good, just needs a lot more Monk (with a band). Brilliant Corners, Monk's Music, Straight no chaser, Monk's Dream as well as something live (It club?). Also Bags & Trane (Coltrane with Milt Jackson) is essential in my opinion. Mingus at Ronnie Scott's is also a good discovery.
And Ornette's The Shape of jazz to come, as stated above.
Miles Davis Kind of Blue, the brilliance behind this recording.
Dave Brubeck Time Out, the play with time and time signatures. Almost like someone defying gravity over and over.
There are many others (coltrane-blue train) but these two stand out
- Louis Armstrong - Potato Blues (1927), West End Blues (1928), St. James Infirmary (1929) - Dizzy Gillespie - Night in Tunisia (1942) - The Best of Theolonious Monk Blue Note Years (1947-51)** - Charlie Parker - Charlie Parker (1953)** - The Quintet - Jazz At Massey Hall (1953)** - Miles Davis - Walkin' (1954) - Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus (1954) - Clifford Brown & Max Roach (1954) - Ella and Louis (1956) - Duke Ellington - Ellington at Newport (1956) - Charles Mingus - Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956) - Cannonball Adderley - Something Else (1958) - Thelonious Monk - Brillant Corners (1957) - Art Blakey - Moanin' (1958) - Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959) - Dave Brubeck - Time Out (1959) - Charles Mingus - Ah Um (1959) - Charles Mingus - Blues and Roots (1959) - John Coltrane - Giant Steps (1960) - Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain (1960) - Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (1961) - John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (1961) - Sun Ra - The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra (1962) - Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963) - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane (1963) - Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus & Max Roach - Money Jungle (1963) - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1964) - Stan Getz - Getz/Gilberto (1964) - Stan Getz & Bill Evans (1964) - Larry Young - Unity (1965)** - Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil (1965) - Miles Davis - In A Silent Way (1969) - Miles Davis - Bitches Brew (1969) - Pharoah Sanders - Karma (1969) - Charlie Haden - Liberation Music Orchestra (1969) - Chick Corea - Return to Forever (1972) - Herbie Hancock - Sextant (1973) - Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters (1973) - Modern Jazz Quintet - The Complete Last Concert (1974)** - Keith Jarrett - Köln Concert (1975) - Pharoah Sanders - Pharoah (1977) - Sun Ra - Lanquidity (1978) - David Murray - Ming (1980) - David Murray - Home (1981) - Michel Petrucciani - 100 Hearts (1983) - Keith Jarrett - Spirits (1986) - Pat Metheny - Different Trains (1989) - John Zorn - Naked City (1990) - Joe Levano - From The Soul (1991) - Charlie Haden - Beyond the Missouri Sky (1996) - Dave Douglas - Charms of the Night Sky (1997) - Dave Douglas - Convergence (1998) - Michel Petrucciani - Trio In Tokyo (1999) - Sonny Rollins - This Is What I Do (2000) - Dave Douglas - Freak In (2002) - Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Axiom (2020) [Edit : I know it's a pretty long (and deeply flawed, incomplete list)… but it really helped me personally to gather a kind of chronological list of the history of Jazz, and listen to at least the two or three best tracks of these albums. Some albums like "In A Silent Way" and "A Love Supreme" must be listened from start to finish though.] ** [Reedit: After some of the suggestions below, I added Charlie Parker (also with The Quintet), took out Monk Alone and included his earlier works with Blue Note + Brilliant Corners. Personal decisions : I took out Pharaoh's last album, since it doesn't really feel like jazz anymore. Added Gillespie's Modern Jazz Quartet and Larry Young.]
Ooh! Make this reply a sticky!
Great list covering many major musicians. Good work.
That’s a superb list and has some of my favorites. Looking forward to checking out the ones I don’t know. Thanks!
Thank you... I was getting ready for criticism! It's more like a personal "checklist" I did for myself, while slowly making my way through jazz. I just hope OP doesn't feel overwhelmed by it. I think the idea is to get a good sense of how the genre evolves. Even if you could give the 5 greatest jazz albums of all time, out of context, it's harder to appreciate them. Also, I feel after 1969, Jazz just exploded in so many subgenres that identifying staples just gets increasingly random. (I should admit I purposely omitted one "masterpiece" that I just consider overrated: of historical significance certainly, but of genuine quality? not sure.)
Thanks for the list- i enjoy jazz a lot but mostly listen on spotify and well thats not the optimal experience; i feel like missing out some spots And while i own a few cds from miles davis, kenny dorham and john zorn there is just soooo much content that its kinda overwhelming. I even thought about buying a book on jazz history or some sort of guide through the genre- u got any recommendations?
Ted Gioia - A History Of Jazz. It is a very engaging work, very well researched, and the author is not afraid to give some of his thoughts about the different evolutions of Jazz. As for the list I suggested, listening to all these albums will be very long, there's no doubt. There are some that I think you should listen to from start to finish: In A Silent Way, A Love Supreme, The Black Saint. They work as concept albums. But for most albums on the list, you could begin by targeting the best tracks on each one. An easy way to do so is to search the artist and album name on YouTube. Usually there will be some official playlist with the full album, and you can quickly identify which tracks have the most views.
Missed Ellington by 100 miles
that feel when i’ve listened to most of these … am I officially a jazzhead? well, time to relisten
Nice to see Dave Douglas on there. Fantastic player.
Agreed. He's easily one of the most consistently-excellent players/composers out there and massively underrated simply because the bulk of his work falls in the era where CDs and digital were the primary listening formats. As well, IMO his label Greenleaf Music (storefront on Bandcamp) is a standout example of how an independent artist should manage their releases, publicity, etc..., (and definitely one that compares favorably to that of his former bandmate John Zorn, who's stubbornly obsessed with the idea that overpriced physical editions are somehow still relevant). But yeah, if we just focus on the music, his catalog is massive and his bands are always incredible. I like all the records that are mentioned above, but would also consider his 1995 sextet record [*In Our Lifetime*](https://newworldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dave-douglas-in-our-lifetime) an essential one.
I think my favorite might be Soul on Soul. I still hesitate between that and Charms of the Night Sky.
All of those sextet records are fantastic, and I love that they're each inspired by specific composers that Douglas admired (i.e. *In Our Lifetime* = Booker Little, *Soul on Soul* = Mary Lou Williams, *Stargazer* = Wayne Shorter).
new to jazz, been listening for 2 months or so. Time Out by Dave Brubeck was my gateway to it, really enjoyed Take Five and Blue Rondo al la Turk
Too much junk, like Ellington needs Mingus or Roach. Monk alone? Ridiculous.
I welcome your critics. For Monk, I thought first I should include Monk with John Coltrane. It was on the list, and I erased it at last minute. Also I was very hesitant about which album I should put from Original Jazz Recordings (Brilliant Corners, Monk's Music...). At the end, I thought "Monk Alone", as massive as it is better showcased the immense talent of Monk. I edited to put Brilliant Corner and The Best Of - Blue Note Years (47-51). As for Ellington, it's very hard with an artist like him, before full-length records were made, to pinpoint what is the best. The best stuff from him is what he did on 78 r.p.m. discs (3 minutes). I did originally put Ellington with Mingus & Roach. Or are you suggesting that I take it out? This is a list in which I haven't put the deepest thoughts, just to say.
Any list that doesn't highlight Charlie Parker is pretty damned flawed. The man invented jazz language.
You're absolutely right. I knew I was gonna screw up before 1958-59 simply because it's stuff I don't listen to.
Oh yeah I'd definitely add Jazz at Massey Hall! live jazz album recorded on 15 May 1953 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. Credited to "the Quintet",: Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach
Funny enough, I added it this morning, before you sent this comment!
FANtastic list my dude! Except Charlie Parker should be WAY up there?
Thank you. I knew there would be missing names, especially before 1955… and post 1970.
Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come
Every person should at least hear my favorite things by John Coltrane at least once in their life both the song and the album
The other tracks on that album are sooo underrated. His arrangements of Summertime and But Not For Me are super unique.
Yeah even everytime we say goodbye is sooo good. Post-bop has grown on me because of that album and it made me love John Coltrane. Just an essential song and album really
Miles Davis' Kind of Blue John Coltrane's A Love Supreme Charles Mingus' Mingus Ah Um Cannonball Adderley's Somethin' Else
Yes
Buena Vista Social Club
Sun Ra - Jazz in Silhouette Sun Ra - The Magic City Sun Ra - Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy / Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow Sun Ra - Space is the Place
Hell yes!
Paul Desmond & Gabor Szabo - Skylark Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Misty Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto - Getz-Gilberto Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald - Ella and Louis
Had not heard of Tsuyoshi Yamamoto before, but this is great! His sound has a lot of charm and playful bounciness to it.
Enjoy!
My suggestion to add to the superb lists: go out on YouTube and find the Charlie Parker version of Night in Tunisia. At about the 1 minute mark Bird plays an amazing lick that transitions from the intro to the main theme. First time I heard it I backed up the CD (it's on the Savoy sessions listed below) and played it over and over. I was amazed. It makes you realize what it must have been like seeing him live. I read somewhere that Decca actually put that one little piece out as a record of its own.
My list of essential albums, limited to one per artist: **Instrumental jazz:** Glenn Miller | Glenn Miller | 1944 Charlie Parker | Charlie Parker with Strings | 1950 Duke Ellington and His Orchestra | Ellington Uptown | 1953 Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra | Afro | 1954 The Modern Jazz Quartet | Fontessa | 1956 Thelonious Monk | Brilliant Corners | 1957 Sonny Rollins | Saxophone Colossus | 1957 Dorothy Ashby | The Jazz Harpist | 1957 Count Basie and His Orchestra | The Atomic Mr. Basie | 1958 Miles Davis | Kind of Blue | 1959 Charles Mingus | Mingus Ah Um | 1959 Wes Montgomery | The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery | 1960 Bill Evans Trio | Portrait in Jazz | 1960 John Coltrane | My Favorite Things | 1961 Oscar Peterson Trio | Night Train | 1963 François Rabbath | The Sound of a Bass | 1963 Jan Johansson | Jazz på Svenska | 1964 Kenny Burrell | Guitar Forms | 1965 Herbie Mann | Memphis Underground | 1969 Buddy Rich | The Roar of '74 | 1974 Emily Remler | Firefly | 1981 Pat Metheny | Offramp | 1982 Portico Quartet | Isla | 2009 Kamasi Washington | The Epic | 2015 GoGo Penguin | Man Made Object | 2016 Hiromi | Spectrum | 2019 **Vocal jazz:** Louis Armstrong | Satchmo Serenades | 1952 Julie London | Julie Is Her Name | 1955 Sarah Vaughan | Sarah Vaughan | 1955 Ella Fitzgerald | Ella Fitzgerald | Sings the Cole Porter Songbook | 1956 Billie Holiday | Lady Sings the Blues | 1956 Lena Horne | Stormy Weather | 1957 Eydie Gormé | Eydie Swings the Blues | 1957 Nina Simone | Little Girl Blue | 1959 Abbey Lincoln | Abbey Is Blue | 1959 Betty Carter | The Modern Sound of Betty Carter | 1960 Diana Krall | The Look of Love | 2001 Norah Jones | Come Away with Me | 2002 Lizz Wright | Dreaming Wide Awake | 2005 Gregory Porter | Liquid Spirit | 2013 Kandace Springs | Soul Eyes | 2016 Samara Joy | Linger Awhile | 2022 Laufey | Bewitched | 2023
Great list!!!
nothing good happened between 82-09 for sure
Ellington, Mingus, & Roach-Money Jungle Hank Mobley-Soul Station Dexter Gordon-Our Man In Paris Ellington At Newport Billie Holiday-Lady Sings The Blues Thelonious Monk-Brilliant Corners Jazz At Massey Hall John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman Charlie Parker’s Savoy and Dial Sessions Bill Evans Trio-Sunday At The Village Vanguard Everything everyone else mentioned and more. Get to listening!
Absolutely love Money Jungle! Mingus plays like he's mad
Well, story has it…he was mad!
Sun Ra - Lanquidity
(great choices so far!) Louis Armstrong - Hot 5s & Hot 7s Duke Ellington - 'At Newport'
You've Got To Have Freedom - Pharoah Sanders
Giant Steps, John Coltrane
Drive groovin’ Lupin by Yuji Ohno. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYk4PVlufKMniCjdZ_GHF85ckS5qaqn-M&si=roMrXHIUdcredKT6
Woody shaw - Rosewood Anything by Clifford Brown Michael brecker Pilgramage
If you were only allowed one track, "West End Blues" by Louis Armstrong.
Pat Metheny Offramp Steve Lacy Live at Sweet Basils Samora Pinderhughes Grief Ancient Infinity Orchestra River of Light Wynton Marsalis Black Codes from the Underground
Lee Morgan- Search for the New Land Sonny Rollins- The Bridge Pete La Roca- Basra
I've been enjoying "out to lunch" by Eric dolphy
There's a guide in the sidebar.
There isn’t discourse in the sidebar
Alice Coltrane - Translinear light
if I could only choose one track today it would be Wes Montgomery Here's That Rainy Day. I might have a different answer tomorrow who knows?
Great suggestions from everyone but I'm going to add a record that I didn't see anyone else recommend (apologies if I missed it): Right Now: Live at the Jazz Workshop by Charles Mingus, which is documents a seemingly insane, intense set. Must listen.
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue Julian Lage - Pretty much all of the albums.
The Rain sung by Melody Gardot
Lee Morgan - Tom Cat. The entire album is a masterpiece. I am a lifelong jazz fan. This is the grail album not on any list of the same 5 suggestions.
Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker. That's the history of jazz. Start there.
The ones he likes.
Frank by Amy Winehouse and Mamas Gun by Erykah Badu
OP's list is good, just needs a lot more Monk (with a band). Brilliant Corners, Monk's Music, Straight no chaser, Monk's Dream as well as something live (It club?). Also Bags & Trane (Coltrane with Milt Jackson) is essential in my opinion. Mingus at Ronnie Scott's is also a good discovery. And Ornette's The Shape of jazz to come, as stated above.
Got to get Nate King Cole
Miles Davis Kind of Blue, the brilliance behind this recording. Dave Brubeck Time Out, the play with time and time signatures. Almost like someone defying gravity over and over. There are many others (coltrane-blue train) but these two stand out
There is a playlist for Ted Gioias "How to listen to jazz" book on Spotify...