The Best of (Smooth) Jazz CDs

[StevenKay]

Hi

Jazz Lovers

Could you please recommend 2-3 contemporary 'Best of (Smooth) Jazz CDs' which would be great to listen to and to start a collection.

Thanks

Steven Kay

 

[fayeanddavid]

Hi

Jazz Lovers

Could you please recommend 2-3 contemporary 'Best of (Smooth) Jazz CDs' which would be great to listen to and to start a collection.

Thanks

Steven Kay

How smooth would be the question, along with type of jazz 'cos there is so much.

In the 80s and 90s I was a big fan of,

Lee Ritinour

Dave Grusin

Bob James

David Sanborn etc

however the OH refers to this as elevator music (harsh I think)

What of trio jazz or more in the realms of "standards" viz

Ella Fitgerald

George Shearing

Gershwin

Nat Cole

etc

So much to choose from, maybe there are pointers on the Smooth and Jazz radio websites as a starter?

 

[ayjaycee]

I can definitely give a big up to Ella Fitzgerald as well - listening to that Lady is like listening to heaven. Also try A Kind of Blue by Miles Davis or Blue Train by John Coltrane both are rightly acknowledged as being amongst the greatest jazz albums of all time. Personally, I don't like the title 'smooth jazz' as it is used as a catch all term for all sorts of garbage (ie. the aforementioned elevator music and worse - ie. Kenny G and his ilk!!).

 

[CnoEvil]

Here are my suggestions:

Jacques Loussier - really recommended
George Benson
Acker Bilk
Jazz Butcher Conspiracy
Ray Charles
Oscar Peterson/Louis Armstrong
Sonny Rollins
Claire Martin
Best of Blue Note

Please report back with reviews of what you end up getting.

Good hunting.

 

[Cypher]

Spyro Gyra - the deep end

Fantastic disc with a perfect sound

 

[StevenKay]

Cypher

Yes I like Spyro Gyra ..Shall look for 'The Deep End' CD.

Thanks.

 

[StevenKay]

fayeanddavid

Thanks for a detailed and informative response.

Smooth Jazz Radio (website) is a pretty good start to make. I do listen to that quite often.

I have liked Richard Elliot, Paul Taylor, Spyro Gyra... quite a lot.

Indeed there is so much variety apart from standard or original jazz to choose from.

 

[StevenKay]

ayjaycee

Noted. Thanks. Indeed the names you have mentioned are the Masters of Jazz. Music, like other art forms, keeps on evolving and changing with times. But Jazz is one of the most soothing forms of music available for listening.

 

[StevenKay]

CnoEvil

Thanks. Yes I will. Shall check out the ones you have recommended.

 

[Anonymous]

Earl Klugh

David Benoit

Special EFX