Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time

A comprehensive list of the best jazz music albums of all time, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and more.

Introduction

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz is seen by many as “America’s classical music”. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression. It then emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage with a performance orientation. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time

When it comes to jazz music, there are a lot of great albums out there. But which ones are the best of the best?

In this guide, we will take a look at the best jazz music albums of all time, according to critics and fans alike.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of some of the greatest jazz albums ever made.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 2

In this second part of our best jazz music albums of all time, we take a look at some more great albums that have made a significant impact in the genre. From Miles Davis to John Coltrane, these are essential listening for any jazz fan.

Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)

One of the most influential albums of all time, not just in jazz but in all music, Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue is essential listening. The album saw Davis and his band – featuring John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Paul Chambers – explore modal jazz, with the tracks “So What” and “All Blues” becoming jazz standards.

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1965)

Arguably the greatest saxophonist of all time, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme is a masterpiece. Recorded in one session with his classic quartet featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones, the album is a spiritual journey that has had a huge impact on jazz and beyond.

Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959)

Avant-garde pioneer Ornette Coleman caused controversy with his debut album The Shape of Jazz to Come, which saw him eschew traditional chord progressions in favor of what he called “harmolodics”. While Coleman’s approach divided critics at the time, the album is now recognized as a groundbreaking work that set the stage for subsequent generations of jazz innovators.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 3

In the last two articles, we looked at the best jazz albums of all time according to two different expert sources. This time, we’re going to take a look at the best jazz albums of all time according to the users of Amazon.com.

As with the other two lists, there are some surprises and some omissions. For instance, despite being one of the most popular and influential jazz albums of all time, Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” is not included on this list.

Here are the top 10 best jazz albums of all time according to Amazon.com users:

1. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
2. Miles Davis – Bitches Brew
3. Weather Report – Heavy Weather
4. Wayne Shorter – Speak No Evil
5. Horace Silver – The Jody Grind
6. Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder
7. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – Moanin’
8. Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage
9. Grant Green – Idle Moments
10. McCoy Tyner – Extensions

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 4

In this, the fourth and final part of our series on the best jazz albums of all time, we take a look at some more of the greatest recordings in the history of the genre. From bebop to Latin jazz, there are plenty of essential albums to choose from – so sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the finest music ever recorded.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 4

With so many amazing jazz albums to choose from, picking just ten for our list was never going to be easy. In this fourth and final installment, we take a look at some more essential recordings that any fan of the genre should have in their collection. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the finest music ever recorded.

1. Charlie Parker – ‘Now’s The Time’ (1945)

One of the founding fathers of bebop, Charlie Parker was one of the most influential musicians of his generation. His debut album ‘Now’s The Time’ is regarded as one of his finest works, and features Parker at his creative peak. If you only ever listen to one Charlie Parker album, make sure it’s this one.

2. Miles Davis – ‘Kind Of Blue’ (1959)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums ever made, ‘Kind Of Blue’ is a must-have for any fan of the genre. Released in 1959, it saw Miles Davis moving away from bebop towards a more modal style of playing – and the results are simply stunning. This is an album that truly deserves its place in musical history.

3. John Coltrane – ‘A Love Supreme’ (1965)

Another jazz giant, John Coltrane was responsible for some of the most important music of the 20th century. His 1965 album ‘A Love Supreme’ is a work of true beauty, and remains hugely influential to this day. If you haven’t heard it yet, you need to change that as soon as possible!

4. Thelonious Monk – ‘Monk’s Dream’ (1963)

One of the most distinctive voices in jazz history, Thelonious Monk was always capable of creating something truly special with his music. His 1963 album ‘Monk’s Dream’ is widely consideredto be one his finest works, and is essential listening for anyone with even a passing interest in jazz. Trust us – you won’t be disappointed.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 5

In this, the final part of our series, we take a look at five more of the best jazz music albums of all time. These are albums that have stood the test of time and continue to be enjoyed by fans old and new.

John Coltrane – ‘A Love Supreme’
Recorded in 1964, ‘A Love Supreme’ is considered by many to be one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. It is a four-part suite that was inspired by Coltrane’s love for God. The album has a spiritual feeling and is full of passion and energy.

Miles Davis – ‘Kind of Blue’
Recorded in 1959, ‘Kind of Blue’ is one of the most influential jazz albums ever recorded. It features some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time including John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley. The album is considered to be a milestone in the history of jazz music.

Dave Brubeck – ‘Time Out’
Recorded in 1959, ‘Time Out’ is one of the most popular jazz albums ever recorded. It features the Dave Brubeck Quartet playing some innovative and catchy tunes including ‘Take Five’ which became a huge hit. The album broke new ground in terms of its use of odd time signatures and was hugely influential in the development of jazz music.

Herbie Hancock – ‘Head Hunters’
Recorded in 1973, ‘Head Hunters’ was a departure from Hancock’s previous work with Miles Davis. It saw him embrace funk and rock music and create something truly unique. The album was a huge commercial success and helped to cement Hancock as one of the greats in contemporary jazz music.

Weather Report – ‘Heavy Weather’
Recorded in 1977, ‘Heavy Weather’ was Weather Report’s most successful album. It featured some incredible musicianship from Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius and Joe Zawinul. The album combined elements of funk, rock and Latin music to create something truly original and innovative.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 6

This is the final part of our series on the best jazz music albums of all time. In this article, we will be covering the albums that are widely considered to be the best of the best in the jazz genre. These are albums that have stood the test of time and have been influential in shaping the sound of jazz music over the years.

If you’re a fan of jazz music, then you need to check out these essential albums. These are albums that any fan of jazz should have in their collection.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 6:

Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come
Thelonious Monk – Monk’s Dream
Sonny Rollins – The Bridge

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 7

We decided to come up with a top 10 list of the best jazz albums of all time. We based our choices on several factors including: historical significance, influence, artistic merit, and overall popularity. We also took into account the opinions of some of the most respected music critics of our time. Here are our picks for the best jazz albums of all time.

10. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)

This is one of the most influential and well-known jazz albums of all time. It is often cited as the best album in jazz history and is considered mandatory listening for any fan of the genre. It features some of Davis’ most famous songs such as “So What” and “All Blues”.

9. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1965)

This album was released shortly before Coltrane’s untimely death and is widely considered to be his magnum opus. It is a spiritual and atmospheric record that features some of the saxophonist’s most beautiful playing. It is also one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time.

8. Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959)

This album is considered to be one of the most important and influential records in jazz history. It features Coleman’s revolutionary style of free jazz which would go on to have a massive impact on the genre in the years to come.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 8

In Part 8 of our series on the best jazz music albums of all time, we take a look at the period from the 1950s to the present day. This was a time when jazz was evolving and changing, and many different styles emerged.

The 1950s were a time of great change in jazz. Bebop, which had arisen in the 1940s, began to merge with other styles, including swing and blues. This resulted in a new style known as hard bop. Some of the most famous hard bop albums include John Coltrane’s “Blue Train” (1958) and Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” (1959).

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, another new style emerged: free jazz. This was characterized by a greater freedom of expression, often resulting in more experimental and avant-garde sounds. One of the most famous free jazz albums is Ornette Coleman’s “The Shape of Jazz to Come” (1959).

In the 1960s, jazz began to be increasingly influenced by rock music, resulting in a style known as fusion. Some of the most famous fusion albums include Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew” (1970) and John McLaughlin’s “My Goal’s Beyond” (1971).

Jazz has continued to evolve since the 1970s, with many different styles emerging. Some of the most popular contemporary jazz artists include Brad Mehldau, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis.

The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time – Part 9

This is the ninth part of a series of articles counting down the best jazz music albums of all time. This time we take a look at numbers 60 to 41.

As always, this is only a personal opinion and please feel free to disagree. But if you love jazz music, hopefully you’ll find something new and interesting here.

60. Jackie McLean – A Long Drink of the Blues (1957)

One of Jackie McLean’s first albums as a leader, “A Long Drink of the Blues” features the alto saxophonist in top form. The album also features an all-star lineup including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, trombonist Benny Powell, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Blakey.

59. Duke Ellington – MIDI Suite (1977)

Recorded in 1977, “MIDI Suite” was one of Duke Ellington’s last albums. It features a six-part suite that was composed for and performed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra using MIDI technology. The result is a fascinating blend of jazz and electronic music that still sounds fresh today.