[Start Here] Jazz Masterpieces: A Must-Listen Album Selection
What kind of impression do you have of the musical genre known as jazz?
You might think of it as somewhat stylish, or perhaps a bit intimidating and highbrow.
The history of jazz, which includes many subgenres, can’t be summed up easily—and of course, it’s not just music from a bygone era.
This time, for those who are interested but don’t know where to start, we’ve picked out a selection of classic, standard albums that have gone down in jazz history—perfect as your first listen.
Be sure to check them out!
- The Royal Road of Jazz: Classic modern jazz masterpieces. Popular tracks you should listen to at least once.
- Hall of Jazz: Classic Blue Note Records. Recommended jazz albums.
- [For Beginners] Classic Modern Jazz Albums: Recommended Records to Start With
- [Jazz Intro] Classic Jazz Tracks Recommended for First-Time Listeners
- [Western Music] Classic jazz guitar albums: recommended records you should listen to at least once
- A roundup of classic Western jazz-funk albums—from staples to the latest releases
- [BGM] Classic Delicious Jazz Tunes You’d Want to Hear in a Restaurant [2025]
- Classic Dixieland jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- Captivating female jazz singers who illuminate the history of jazz. Recommended jazz vocals from around the world.
- Famous jazz musicians. Players who have graced the history of jazz.
- Cool jazz piano: from classic favorites to hidden gems.
- [2025] Classic Jazz Vocal Albums: Must-Listen Recommendations
- A collection of classic progressive rock albums: popular records you should listen to at least once.
[Start with this one] Jazz masterpieces: A must-hear album selection (51–60)
MistySarah Vaughan
Female jazz vocals are such a popular area that they could almost be a genre unto themselves, and among the legendary singers who remain in that realm is Sarah Vaughan.
She delivers a stunning performance of the jazz standard “Misty,” backed by a band enhanced with strings.
Lonely WomanOrnette Coleman
Free jazz, the most radical form of jazz, ranges from performances done entirely through improvisation with no predetermined structure to works featuring completely new compositions akin to contemporary classical music.
Among these, perhaps the most famous piece as a “song” is Lonely Woman.
Pithecanthropus erectusCharles Mingus
While many West Coast jazz combos feature intelligently crafted, elegant ensemble writing, the East has a different character.
The ensemble work in bassist Charles Mingus’s combos, for instance, produced music that was intensely aggressive.
My Funny ValentineChet Baker
A song written by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical “Babes in Arms.” It has been sung by many artists, including Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett.
[Start with this one] Jazz masterpieces: A must-hear album selection (61–70)
Blue SandsChico Hamilton
Another band that created an excellent West Coast jazz ensemble is Chico Hamilton’s Quintet.
Using the drums almost like timpani and incorporating guitar and flute to give the piece an exotic flavor, this tune was also performed in Jazz on a Summer’s Day.
Just The Two Of UsGrover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers
Grover Washington, who died of a heart attack in 1999, is a highly respected jazz saxophone player.
Bill Withers is a singer-songwriter known for works such as “Lean On Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Will Smith produced a rap version of this song in 1998.
Broken Hearted MelodySarah Vaughan
A song produced by Hal David together with composer Sherman Edwards.
It became one of Sarah Vaughan’s biggest hits, and in the UK it was the only song of hers to reach the Top 10 on the charts.
It has become an essential part of her concert repertoire.