The Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time
Check out our list of the best jazz music albums of all time. From Miles Davis to John Coltrane, these are the albums that have shaped jazz music.
Best Jazz Music Albums of All Time
Do you love listening to Jazz music? If your answer is yes, then this article is for you. Here, we will be discussing the best Jazz music albums of all time. We will be taking a look at a few different albums and discussing what makes them so great.
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue is not only the best jazz album of all time, but also one of the best albums ever made, period. It\”: changed the entire course of jazz history, and its influence can still be felt today, nearly 60 years after its original release.
Recorded in just two sessions in 1959, Kind of Blue features Miles Davis at the peak of his creative powers, backed by an all-star lineup that includes pianist Bill Evans, saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Together, they created a record that is nothing short of timeless.
If you’re new to jazz, or just looking for a place to start, there’s no better place than Kind of Blue. It’s an essential album for any music fan.
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
Considered one of the most important and influential jazz albums of all time, A Love Supreme was recorded in one session by saxophonist John Coltrane and his classic quartet featuring McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones. The record is a suite divided into four parts: “Acknowledgement”, “Resolution”, “Pursuance”, and “Psalm”. As a whole, the album is reflective of Coltrane’s newfound spirituality following his addiction to drugs and alcohol. It is considered a masterpiece of jazz composition and improvisation, and has been cited as an influence by many musicians across genres.
Charles Mingus – The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus is one of the most important figures in jazz history. He was a bassist, composer, bandleader, and theoretician whose work brought together elements of bebop, gospel, and blues. His 1963 album The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is a masterwork of the jazz cannon.
The album is a suite divided into six parts, each with its own unique feel and atmosphere. The first part, “Track A – Lonely House”, is a slow blues that sets the mood for the rest of the album. “Track B – Group Dancers”, is a fast-paced bebop tune that features some of Mingus’ best bass playing. “Track C – Trio and Group Dancers” is a more cerebral piece that features an extended solo from alto saxophonist Eric Dolphy.
The final three tracks are where Mingus really lets loose. “Track D – Solo Dancer” is a dark and brooding ballad that highlights Mingus’ versatility as a composer. “Track E – Dupree’s Paradise” is an uptempo gospel tune that will make your feet move. And finally, “Track F – The reward”, is a beautiful ballad that brings the album to a perfect close.
If you’re looking for an essential jazz album, look no further than Charles Mingus’ The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come
Released in 1959, Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come was a revolutionary work that signaled a radical new direction for the genre. Featuring Coleman on alto saxophone, Don Cherry on cornet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums, the album’s inventive approach to harmony and group improvisation would come to be known as “free jazz.” Although it was initially met with skepticism and even hostility by the jazz establishment, The Shape of Jazz to Come is now widely recognized as one of the most important and influential albums in the history of jazz.
Billie Holiday – Lady in Satin
Recorded in 1958, Lady in Satin is one of Billie Holiday’s most celebrated albums. The album features a string orchestra led by Ray Ellis and includes some of Holiday’s most well-known songs, such as “I’m a Fool to Want You,” “For All We Know,” and “Gloomy Sunday.” Lady in Satin is a must-have for any jazz fan.
Honorable Mentions
Thelonious Monk – Monk’s Dream
This album is a classic and considered by many to be one of the best jazz albums of all time. It features some of Monk’s most famous compositions like “Straight, No Chaser” and “Bye-Ya.” Thelonious Monk was a true original and his innovative style changed the course of jazz music.
Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus
Few jazz albums are as influential or as essential as Sonny Rollins’ Saxophone Colossus. Released in 1956, the record featured Rollins at the top of his game, playing with an all-star band that included Tommy Flanagan on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Max Roach on drums. The result was a masterpiece of hard bop that showcased Rollins’ singular talent as a saxophonist. From the opening track, “St. Thomas,” to the closing rendition of “The Way You Look Tonight,” Saxophone Colossus is a must-have for any fan of jazz.
Dave Brubeck – Time Out
This is an album of sheer joy, inspired by the rhythms of the world. It’s full of exotic-sounding tunes with terse, catchy melodies, played by a quartet featuring the great alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. The group was at the height of its powers, and this is its most famous album.
Wes Montgomery – Smokin’ at the Half Note
This live album, recorded at the fabled Half Note club in 1965, finds the great guitarist in his element, leading a stellar quartet that includes Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Montgomery is in top form throughout, tearing through a collection of standards and originals with his signature blend of swing, soul, and bebop.
