1.) A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
A Love Supreme is largely not only one of John Coltrane's greatest albums but one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Released in December 1964, the album offers listeners a mixture of hard hop with some of Coltrane's earlier free jazz sound. The album is so widely popular that it was ranked number forty seven (47) on Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003. A Love Supreme can largely be considered a spiritual album.
Coltrane is both the bandleader and plays tenor saxophone for the album. Jimmy Garrison plays the double bass. Elvin Jones is on the drums and McCoy Tyner plays the piano. A Love Supreme is a must-listen for any would be jazz fan.
2.) Brilliant Corners - Thelonious Monk
Brilliant Corners is considered largely by many to be Monk's finest hour and it's not difficult to hear why. Released in 1957, the tracks on the album have such an energy to them. The album can be considered a great hard bop listen. The album also has a lineup of some legendary musicians. The album consists of mostly original pieces by Monk.
Monk plays the piano on the album and the celeste on the track "Pannonica". The legendary Sonny Rollins plays the tenor saxophone and Max Roach plays the drums. Ernie Henry plays the alto saxophone on multiple tracks and Oscar Pettiford plays the double bass on multiple tracks. Clark Terry plays trumpet on "Bemsha Swing" and Paul Chambers plays double bass on "Bemsha Swing".
3.) Count Basie at Newport - Count Basie Orchestra
Count Basie at Newport is one of the greatest jazz live albums of all time. It also happens to be a recording of one of the greatest sets at the Newport Jazz Festival that takes yearly in Rhode Island. Recorded on July 7, 1957, this album certainly does not disappoint as Count Basie and his orchestra give a roaring show for listeners. The album also consisted of a 21-man piece band to go along with Count Basie.
Count Basie himself plays the piano. Notable musicians in the band on the album include Lester Young on tenor saxophone. Roy Eldridge is also one of several trumpet players on the album. The album clocks in at 54 minutes including the almost 5 minute introduction.
4.) Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins
Saxophone Colossus is one of Sonny Rollins's greatest albums ever recorded. Released in 1956, this album marked the high point for Rollins's time at Prestige Records. Out of the five tracks on the album, three are originals from Sonny Rollins. The other two are standards.
Sonny Rollins leads the group playing the tenor saxophone. Tommy Flanagan has piano duties on the album and Doug Watkins plays the bass. Max Roach plays the drums on the album as well. The album clocks in at a little under 40 minutes.
5.) A Boy Named Charlie Brown - Vince Guaraldi Trio
A Boy Named Charlie Brown is a unique album on this list since it is the only one that is actually a soundtrack used for an animated film. The album marks the first time that Guaraldi would do a soundtrack for Peanuts and would introduce many pieces that are beloved by millions today. The track "Linus and Lucy" is one of the most well-known jazz pieces of all time. The album itself is a delightful cool jazz listen for all jazz listeners and not just Peanuts fans.
A Boy Named Charlie Brown is an important album within the jazz genre since it is likely the first introduction to jazz for millions of children. Guaraldi composes all of the tracks on the album except for the last, which is a cover of "Fly Me to the Moon". The album consists of Guaraldi playing the piano, Colin Bailey playing the drums, Monty Budwig, and Gigi Gryce playing the alto saxophone. This album is certainly a classic that has stood the test of time.
No comments:
Post a Comment