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Basic Jazz Record Library Murray Horwitz and A.B. Spellman pick the basic albums every jazz enthusiast should have.
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Basic Jazz Record Library

Murray Horwitz and A.B. Spellman pick the jazz albums at home in anyone's music collection.
Louis Armstrong: 'The Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings'

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Louis Armstrong: 'The Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings'

Louis Armstrong, one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century, exuded joy and exuberance as a trumpet player and singer. He rose from poverty in New Orleans, before achieving worldwide fame. In this 1928 album, a young Satchmo shows the extraordinary inventiveness that put him on the map.

Louis Armstrong: 'The Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings'

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Mildred Bailey: 'That Rockin' Chair Lady'

Mildred Bailey found fame after signing on with Paul Whiteman's national dance orchestra in 1929. Dynamic and plucky, she married xylophonist Red Norvo, and the couple became known as "Mr. and Mrs. Swing." On That Rockin' Chair Lady, her sweet and flexible voice sparkles.

Mildred Bailey: 'That Rockin' Chair Lady'

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Cannonball Adderley: 'Somethin' Else'

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Cannonball Adderley: 'Somethin' Else'

Alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, nicknamed "the New Bird" for his ability to play fast leads a la Charlie "Bird" Parker, swept on the jazz scene in the mid-1950s. On Somethin' Else, Adderley teamed with Miles Davis to create an album that jazz commentator Murray Horwitz calls "near perfect."

Cannonball Adderley: 'Somethin' Else'

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Mose Allison: 'The Sage of Tippo'

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Mose Allison: 'The Sage of Tippo'

Born in Tippo, Mississippi, Mose Allison, known as the "William Faulkner of Jazz," grew up playing a piano in back of a gas station — and never stopped. Allison, a prolific songwriter, pianist and singer, brought his down-home Southern bluesy style to jazz. This album illustrates the versatility of a man said to play "blue-eyed soul."

Mose Allison: 'The Sage of Tippo'

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Gene Ammons: 'All-Star Sessions with Sonny Stitt'

Gene "Jug" Ammons played bebop and R&B with equal skill. As the founder of the "Chicago School" of tenor sax, he performed with the Woody Herman and Billy Eckstine orchestras. He and his saxophonist friend, Sonny Stitt, often seemed to be in competition when they played together, as they do in this album.

Gene Ammons: 'All-Star Sessions with Sonny Stitt'

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Louis Armstrong: 'The Best of the Decca Years, Vol. 1'

In 1956, Louis Armstrong was an international star at the height of his popularity. He also was one of the first to sing in "scat" style, essentially trying to sound out the notes instead of the words. Among many treats, The Best of the Decca Years has one of the best scat solos of all time — "Up a Lazy River."

Louis Armstrong: 'The Best of the Decca Years, Vol. 1'

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Count Basie: 'The Essential Count Basie, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2'

In the late 1930s, big bands frequently vied for the greatest applause in "ballroom competitions." According to commentator A.B. Spellman, "the Basie band was never beaten" in these competitions." This two-volume set showcases Basie at the height of his ballroom success, and features his renowned rhythm section, "the Kansas City Walk."

Count Basie: 'The Essential Count Basie, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2'

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Count Basie: 'Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings'

Count Basie broke up his band in 1950 because of financial considerations, but later reorganized and embarked on a series of recording sessions that solidified him as an American jazz institution. This album focuses on the post-1954 period, when vocalist Joe Williams gave the band new popularity with such hits as "All Right OK, You Win."

Count Basie: 'Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings'

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Sidney Bechet: 'The Sidney Bechet Story'

In the 1920s, Sidney Bechet developed a distinctive, vibrato style on soprano saxophone that won him wide acclaim. His career lagged until 1949, when he went to a jazz festival in Paris and became an overnight sensation. His skilled improvisation is highlighted in this box set, which covers 1923 to 1950.

Sidney Bechet: 'The Sidney Bechet Story'

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Bix Beiderbecke: 'Singin' the Blues, Vol. I' & 'At the Jazz Band Ball, Vol. 2'

Bix Beiderbecke's virtuosity and originality with the cornet won admiration from Louis Armstrong and other jazz greats in the 1920s. He played with Paul Whiteman's orchestra in New York before dying tragically at age 28. This definitive compilation (reissued in 1990) has most of Beiderbecke's best work, including his piano classic "In a Mist."

Bix Beiderbecke: 'Singin' the Blues, Vol. I' & 'At the Jazz Band Ball, Vol. 2'

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Tony Bennett: 'The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album'

Tony Bennett got his break when Bob Hope saw him performing with Pearl Bailey and put him in his stage show. This native of Queens had mega-hits in the 1950s and '60s as a crooner. Teamed with famed jazz pianist Bill Evans in this album, Bennett shows off his inventive, interpretive voice.

Tony Bennett: 'The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album'

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Art Blakey: 'The Best of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers'

Art Blakey was one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time. He employed his powerful, rhythmic playing in the "hard bop" — or East Coast — style of jazz. His trademark was the forceful closing of the high-hat on every second and fourth beat. This album illustrates his unique style.

Art Blakey: 'The Best of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers'

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Dave Brubeck: 'Jazz Goes to College'

Known for his complex rhythms and ability to play two keys at once, Dave Brubeck was already a sensation in 1954, when he appeared on the cover of Time magazine. The same year, he recorded Jazz Goes to College at several live shows on college campuses.

Dave Brubeck: 'Jazz Goes to College'

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The Dave Brubeck Quartet: 'Time Out'

President Bill Clinton said one artist inspired him to take up the saxophone: Dave Brubeck. Brubeck had a No. 1 hit with "Take Five," which is heard on Time Out. The album also illustrates the Brubeck Quartet's experimentation with complex poly-rhythms.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet: 'Time Out'

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Kenny Burrell: 'Midnight Blue'

Known as Duke Ellington's favorite guitarist, Kenny Burrell was a master of the blues. In 1963, he recorded Midnight Blue, which jazz commentator Murray Horwitz calls a "late night, neon light flashing outside of the window, cigarette smoke swirling up into nothing" record.

Kenny Burrell: 'Midnight Blue'

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Benny Carter: 'BBB & Company'

Benny Carter made his recording debut in 1927. Six decades later, he was still going strong, having made a mark as an alto saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and arranger. This 1962 album has his most famous song, "When Lights Are Low."

Benny Carter: 'BBB & Company'

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Nat King Cole: 'After Midnight,' 'Best of the Nat King Cole Trio'

Long before he became a mega-star in the 1950s, Nat King Cole's velvety voice was captivating audiences as part of the Nat King Cole Trio. Formed in 1937 after an inn manager needed a club act, the group went on to stardom, ranking No. 1 on the first ever Billboard album chart.

Nat King Cole: 'After Midnight,' 'Best of the Nat King Cole Trio'

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Ornette Coleman: 'Change of the Century'

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Review

Ornette Coleman: 'Change of the Century'

Saxophonist Ornette Coleman burst on the jazz scene in the 1950s with a new kind of music called "free jazz," which he called "harmodolics." He and his band broke away from traditional melodic conventions, creating controversy and revolutionizing the jazz art form. This album catches him and his group at its peak.

Ornette Coleman: 'Change of the Century'

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John Coltrane: 'A Love Supreme'

On the liner notes of A Love Supreme, John Coltrane describes how studies of Eastern religions –- particularly Sufism –- transformed his life. Along with its religious undertones, the album has great jazz sets, including solos by pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Jimmy Garrison.

John Coltrane: 'A Love Supreme'

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John Coltrane: 'Ballads'

"Falling in love music." That is how jazz commentator Murray Horwitz describes John Coltrane's sensual 1962 album, Ballads. The 2002 re-release of the record contains a bonus disc with previously unreleased tracks, including multiple versions of "Greensleeves."

John Coltrane: 'Ballads'

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John Coltrane: 'Blue Train'

Of all of his albums, John Coltrane selected one as his favorite: Blue Train. Released in 1957, the record is frequently cited as one of the most important in the history of jazz. The 1997 reissue has several bonus tracks, as well as video and interview clips.

John Coltrane: 'Blue Train'

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John Coltrane: 'John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman'

Although he was a solo artist for only seven years, John Coltrane became one of the most renowned saxophonists in history. In 1963, Coltrane teamed with Johnny Hartman to record this classic compilation of ballads. It was Hartman's first record in eight years.

John Coltrane: 'John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman'

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