[For Beginners] Classic Modern Jazz Albums: Recommended Records to Start With
Modern jazz began with 1940s bebop and has pushed the boundaries of musical possibility through innovative expression.
Musicians of the time moved beyond traditional swing, employing complex harmonies, rhythms, and improvisation to forge a completely new musical world.
The rich sonic landscapes created by instruments such as jazz guitar, piano, and saxophone continue to captivate music fans to this day.
In this article, we’ll introduce a number of classic albums that let you fully savor the appeal of modern jazz.
Even if you’re interested in jazz but aren’t sure where to start, you’re sure to discover exciting new music.
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- Hall of Jazz: Classic Blue Note Records. Recommended jazz albums.
- Famous jazz musicians. Players who have graced the history of jazz.
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- A classic jazz-funk masterpiece. A popular recommended track that offers a different flavor from traditional jazz.
- Danceable Jazz! Classic and Recommended Albums of Acid Jazz
- Acid jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
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- Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.
[For Beginners] Classic Albums of Modern Jazz: Recommended Records to Start With (1–10)
Bouncin’ With BudBud Powell
Jazz pianist Bud Powell is known as a bebop master, often hailed as the “Charlie Parker of the piano.” His signature work, The Amazing Bud Powell Vol.
1, is an immortal masterpiece that shines in the history of modern jazz.
A highlight of the album is that it features both a quintet with an all-star lineup and a trio setting that showcases his true essence.
His trademark lightning-fast lines and complex harmonies are utterly overwhelming.
You’ll be captivated by the passionate piano tone that storms across the keys.
A must-listen for anyone who wants to touch the very core of modern jazz!
CherokeeClifford Brown
Legendary jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown’s “Study in Brown” is renowned as a masterpiece that epitomizes hard bop.
Released in 1955 under the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet, its tracks—such as “Sandu”—later became jazz standards and have been quoted across various media.
Brown’s warm yet dazzling trumpet, together with the band’s electrifying, unified ensemble, is simply overwhelming.
Though a studio recording, it offers both the immediacy of a live performance and meticulously crafted structure—a major part of its appeal.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to experience the energy of modern jazz and the essence of refined, sophisticated playing.
Out To LunchEric Dolphy
Released in 1964, jazz musician Eric Dolphy’s Out to Lunch! is a groundbreaking work that shines in the history of modern jazz and stands as a milestone of avant-garde jazz.
Though sadly it became his final album, its music has lost none of its luster.
The unique improvisations—said to depict animal calls and the staggering steps of a drunk—spark the listener’s imagination.
You may be puzzled at first by its freewheeling sound, but the thrilling developments, with all the players weaving their lines as if in conversation, are the album’s greatest allure.
If you want to experience the boundless possibilities of jazz, this is a must-hear record!
[For Beginners] Classic Albums of Modern Jazz: Recommended Records to Start With (11–20)
The SidewinderLee Morgan
Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder is a perfect recommendation for anyone who wants to dive into exhilarating jazz.
Released in 1964, this album is known as a blockbuster hit that saved the Blue Note label and was even featured in a Chrysler commercial.
It kicks off with a funky groove that makes anyone want to move, and when Morgan’s passionate trumpet joins in, your energy instantly surges.
Selected for the National Recording Registry in 2024, this historic masterpiece lets you savor the fun and coolness that jazz has to offer.
St. ThomasSonny Rollins
This is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, recorded in New Jersey and released in 1956.
It quickly earned acclaim in Europe and America after its release, catapulting him to fame.
It is still regarded as one of his signature works, characterized by bright, warm performances.
Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark
This album is invariably cited as one of the quintessential Blue Note masterpieces.
It’s especially popular in Japan, and its cover photo—showing the legs of a woman in a tight skirt striding down the street—is also famous.
It’s recommended as an entry-level recording for beginners to modern jazz.
It was recorded in 1958.
Autumn LeavesBill Evans
The pianist Bill Evans’s 1960 masterpiece Portrait in Jazz is known as a work that changed the history of the jazz trio, characterized by “interplay,” where piano, bass, and drums engage in an equal musical conversation.
Even familiar standards reveal fresh faces under the trio’s spell.
A key highlight is the thrilling development in which the bass steps beyond mere accompaniment to trade melodic lines with the piano.
It’s a perfect album for those who want to savor the intense dialogue between instruments and the profound depths of jazz improvisation.