[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] Delicious Jazz Classics You’d Want to Hear in a Restaurant [2026]
- A roundup of famous jazz standards featured in the hugely popular jazz manga BLUE GIANT
- [2026] Jazz piano masterpieces: from standards to recent favorites
- Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners
- Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- Jazz Piano Masterpieces: From Classic Essentials to Contemporary Favorites
- Classic Dixieland jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
[Start with this one] Jazz masterpieces: A must-hear album selection (61–70)
Lullaby Of BirdlandBud Powell
Jazz after Charlie Parker is called modern jazz, but when further subdivided, their music is called bebop.
The progressive leap in bebop harmony owed a great deal to the contributions of pianist Bud Powell.
Lilac WineEartha Kitt
A song written by James Alan Shelton.
This version was released in 1953 by Eartha Kitt, who was an actress and cabaret star in the 1950s.
The song has been covered by many artists, including Jeff Buckley and Katie Melua.
One for My BabyFred Astaire
It’s a melancholy song composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film “The Sky’s the Limit.” It has been covered by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Marvin Gaye, and Iggy Pop.
Real Ugly WomanJimmy Witherspoon
A song produced by the songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
It was first performed at a concert in Los Angeles, California by Jimmy Witherspoon, who was known for his vocal style referred to as a “blues shouter.”
BakaiJohn Coltrane
A track from the first album recorded under John Coltrane’s own name.
The album was originally titled “First Trane,” but it is now sold as “Coltrane.” The song title “Bakai” means “cry” in Arabic.
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.
Minnie the MoocherCab Calloway
A song written by bandleader, jazz composer, and singer Cabell “Cab” Calloway III and Irving Mills.
It was released in 1931.
The song received a Grammy Honors award at the 1999 Grammy Awards.