Free Download: The Best Jazz Music Albums

Looking for some great jazz music to listen to? Check out our list of the best jazz albums you can download for free!

The Best Jazz Albums of All Time

Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterised by 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 Albums of All Time showcases the greatest jazz recordings of all time, as voted by the experts at NPR Music. This diverse collection features essential albums by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more.

The Best Jazz Albums of the Last Decade

The past decade has seen a wealth of great jazz albums, both from established legends and up-and-coming talents. Here are ten of the best Jazz albums of the last ten years, available for download.

1. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)

Considered by many to be the greatest jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue was recorded by Miles Davis in 1959 and features performances by John Coltrane, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Paul Chambers, and Bill Evans.

2. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)

A Love Supreme is a spiritual jazz album recorded by saxophonist John Coltrane and released in 1964. It is one of the most influential and widely-acclaimed jazz albums of all time, and is considered a masterpiece by many critics.

3. Sonny Rollins – The Bridge (1962)

The Bridge is an album by tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, released in 1962 on RCA Victor. It was recorded at the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on August 8, 1962 and features Rollins’ working quartet at the time: bassist Wilbur Ware, drummer Elvin Jones, and pianist McCoy Tyner.

4. Charles Mingus – The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)

The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is an album by bassist and composer Charles Mingus, released on Impulse! Records in 1963. It is considered a major work in Mingus’ catalog, and one of the greatest jazz albums ever made.

5. Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (1970)

Bitches Brew is a studio double album by Miles Davis, released on April 30, 1970 on Columbia Records. One of the first examples of jazz fusion, Bitches Brew blended jazz with rock elements to create a new sound that was electric and experimental.

6. Wayne Shorter – Speak No Evil (1964)

Speak No Evil is an album by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, released in 1964 on Blue Note Records. It features Shorter’s compositions “Infant Eyes”, “Ornithology”, “Speak No Evil”, “Wildflower”, and “Dance Cadaverous”. The album was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s Studio in Englewood Cliffs with an all-star lineup that included Freddie Hubbard on trumpet Trane’s drummer Elvin Jones), Tony Williams on drums (Miles Davis’ drummer), Grachan Moncur III on trombone (of Eric Dolphy’s Quintet with Booker Little), McCoy Tyner on piano (of John Coltrane’s Quartet), Reggie Workman on bass (of Eric Dolphy’s Quintet with Booker Little), Blue Mitchell on trumpet ( Horace Silver Quintet), Johnny Griffin on tenor saxophone( Horace Silver Quintet) , Jimmy Heath on tenor saxophone(Of Dizzy Gillespie & Miles Davis fame). With such an all-star lineup, this would be considered one of Shorter’s best works as a leader during his Blue Note years .
7 . Pharaoh Sanders – Karma (1969)

Karma is an album by saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders recorded between February 11th to 14th , 1969 but not released until 1971 ,It features Sanders’ extended composition “The Creator Has A Master Plan” which originally took up the entire first side of the LP release ,The second side consists shorter religious themed songs .It also features Leon Thomas performing vocalisations throughout much of the record as well as providing Sanders scat singing partner .Karma would be Sanders most commercially successful album reaching number 5 position Billboard Jazz chart as well as number 45 position upon Billboard 200 chart . Pharaoh Sanders would go go onto releasing many more great records but Karma would always remain his magnum opus among fans & critics alike .

The Best Jazz Albums of the Last Year

It’s been another great year for jazz music, with a wide range of artists exploring new directions while staying true to the genre’s roots. From joyous celebrateons of life to introspective examinations of the human condition, these are the best jazz albums of the last year.

In no particular order:

Kamasi Washington – Heaven and Earth
Washington’s double album is a masterwork, a celebration of life that touches on spirituality, politics, and love. The first disc is a more conventional jazz record, while the second takes the listener on a journey into Washington’s own spiritual beliefs. Either way, it’s an essential listen.

Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings
McCraven took recordings from improvisational sessions in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago and wove them together into something greater than the sum of its parts. The result is an album that feels both organic and carefully crafted, with each track telling its own story.

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah – Ancestral Recall
Adjuah’s debut album as a leader is a bold statement, blending traditional jazz with modern hip-hop and R&B influences. It’s a deeply personal record, with Adjuah dedicated each track to a different ancestor. The result is an album that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Makia Matsumura – Her Waves
Matsumura’s debut album is a beautiful exploration of her Japanese heritage, melding traditional instrumentation with modern sensibilities. It’s an intimate record, with Matsumura’s delicate voice front and center throughout.

Kendrick Scott Oracle – A Wall Becomes A Bridge
Scott Oracle’s latest album is a masterclass in groove, blending funk, rock, and hip-hop into something new and exciting. It’s also a deeply political record, with ScottOracle using his platform to speak out against injustice and inequality.

The Best Jazz Albums for Beginners

If you’re new to jazz, or just looking to expand your musical horizons, these are the best jazz albums for beginners. From classic albums by Miles Davis and John Coltrane to more modern fare from Gregory Porter and Kamasi Washington, these records will give you a crash course in jazz history and show you why this genre is still so vital today.

The Best Jazz Albums for Advanced Listeners

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best jazz albums for advanced listeners. If you’re already familiar with the basics of jazz and are looking to expand your collection, then this article is for you.

We’ve compiled a list of albums that we believe to be essential listening for any fan of jazz music. These are albums that showcase the different styles and sounds that make up this genre, and which we think any fan should check out.

So, without further ado, here are the best jazz albums for advanced listeners:

1. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue

Considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time, Kind of Blue is a must-have for any jazz fan. This 1959 release by Miles Davis is a perfect example of the modal jazz style, and features some of the most iconic performances in jazz history. If you only ever buy one jazz album, make it this one.

2. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme

A Love Supreme is another essential album for any self-respecting jazz fan. This 1964 release by John Coltrane is a spiritual and transcendent work that showcases the saxophonist at his very best. A must-hear for any fan of Coltrane or jazz music in general.

3. Charles Mingus – The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady

Another classic album, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is a 1963 release by Charles Mingus. Widely considered to be one of Mingus’ greatest works, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is a complex and ambitious work that features some amazing performances by some of the best musicians of the time. If you’re looking to expand your horizons, this is definitely an album you need to check out.