Random jazz post...

Was just noticing that it had been a while since I'd posted anything about jazz...  It is my favorite genre, despite all of the metal posts recently. 

Anyway, while attempting to remedy that, thought I'd take a minute to exorcise a petty grief of mine.

Often when people find out that I love music -- and I do love music! -- they quickly ask me what kind of music do I like, and for the most part, I like all kinds.  However, knowing what they expect in terms of an answer to this kind of question, I generally just say "jazz".  It is my favorite, after all.

What bothers me is their response.  Typically, most people say "Oh yeah, I like it too!" then they add something random or extremely obvious about either Coltrane or Miles Davis, maybe Louis Armstrong.  From that response, I quickly gather that they couldn't name more than one or two songs by any of these artists, and would be hard pressed to name even one album, other than the ubiquitous standards found in many an eclectic stack of cds. 

My issue with this probably solidifies any assertion that I am a music snob, but oh well...  The issue is that there is so much more to jazz than Coltrane and Miles Davis.  Further, there's so much more to Coltrane and Miles Davis than their respective Impulse! and Columbia discographies.

  

Take Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch for example...  Recorded in 1964, released on Blue Note, it has many of the same characteristics that people love about Love Supreme.  It is "free" in a way that Coltrane was playing around this time, but not as untethered as Albert Ayler or Ornette Coleman.  I offer it as a suggested excursion for people looking to expand their collections beyond the two or three Coltrane's they may happen to own.

It also features Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, whose Ready for Freddie, (also on Blue Note) might be a great next step.  The album also showcases Bobby Hutcherson on vibes.  When you're really ready to blow your mind, check out Hutch's Happenings.  Now you're ready to talk some jazz! 

For the less daring, may I simply suggest expanding your collections of Coltrane and Davis.  A lot of casual jazz fans own either Blue Train, Giant Steps or A Love Supreme by Coltrane or Kind of Blue by Miles (which ironically features Coltrane on sax, a fact too few people these days are aware of...  but I digress).

Anyway, if you really like these artists, try adding a couple of additional discs by both or either.  I've never understood why Relaxin' (shown above, and also featuring Coltrane on sax) doesn't get more attention.  You might also try Coltrane's Soultrane or Ballads or from Davis, Round About Midnight, Seven Steps to Heaven or In A Silent Way.

And finally, if you want to go for something more modern, try Texas' own Roy Hargrove or something by Brad Mehldau.  Both are great examples of what jazz can be today and will add something more to the conversation besides vague recognition.  My apologies for the rant, now get out there and get to shopping!