beginner: i need the essentials

[evergone]

hi, i am extremely new to jazz. i have been listening to jazz on the radio for quite some time and am in love with it, but i have no idea where to begin. basically, i know names and reputations, but i don't know albums or songs. anyone's help is appreciated...
if you could list a few "essential" albums, it would be great. i just want to know which albums to buy. i want to know the classics(Coltrane, Davis, Ellington, Armstrong,Parker), i know i enjoy there music on the radio, but i don't know the right albums to buy. i am ready to jump into it, so i don't want Greatest Hits collections, i want the best classic jazz albums, the ones that changed the way people looked at it. i am coming from a rock background, so basically i want the Pet Sounds or Sgt. Peppers of jazz if you will. thank you so much for all your help and hopefully i'll be here more often.

[Fluter]

This is friendly controversy territory, so, no arguments, please! I just wanna help the cat out!

There are SO many great recordings. You could spend your life and all of your money on them.

You don't say whether you play music or listen only. That would affect my list somewhat, but here are a few:

Kind of Blue, Miles Davis and other great greats. This is the Sgt. Pepper + Pet Sounds you are looking for, in my opinion. If you can only buy one recording this is THE one.

Bag's Groove. The first jazz album I really listened to. Made me wanna play jazz right now and forever. A recognized classic.

I don't care much for Charlie Parker's music in general, but you should check it out and decide for yourself, it's a great body of work.


Less obvious things that might appeal to the rocker in you:

Heavy Weather by Weather Report (or any album by that group. Check out Jaco's bass playing, he was the Jimi Hendrix of the electric fretless bass.)

Hold On, I'm Coming, by flutist Herbie Mann. Features the extraordinary late great Sonny Sherrock on guitar. Tons of great playing on that disk by everyone. This album should be better known among jazzers than it is. I have learned so much from that recording.


Keyboard things I love:

any album by Bill Evans.

The Koln Concert by Keith Jarrett. Probably jazz-classical crossover but it's wall-to-wall improvisation and will get under your skin.



A few of the other things I love. All by living jazz artists, too:

Rush Hour, and/or From the Soul, Joe Lovano, sax, and his excellent colleagues.

Uberjam, the new one by John Scofield, guitarist, and his excellent company.

Nocturne, Charlie Haden, bass player known for many wonderful things, including his ability to make everyone else in his band sound inspired and brilliant.

We'll Be Together Again, early Pat Martino, guitar. Martino's personal favorite. May be destined to become a classic.


Jazz drumming is decidedly different from rock drumming. If you're into drumming, anything by Jack DeJonnette is highly recommended. Also Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers.


You are in for a great fun time!

Don't forget that real jazz happens LIVE right in front of your eyes and ears, so get out to the clubs, bars, concert halls, festival stages, libraries, band shells and subways -- wherever jazz is happening near you. The live experience of jazz is addictive, as you'll soon find out.