[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.
Playlist
| [For Beginners] Classic Modern Jazz Albums: Recommended Records to Start With | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | AcknowledgementJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | Giant of the jazz world, saxophonist John Coltr… |
| 2east | Moanin’Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers |  play_arrow | Art Blakey is a jazz drummer… |
| 3east | Kind of BlueMiles Davis |  play_arrow | As a trumpeter who symbolizes the history of jazz… |
| 4east | Waltz for DebbyBill Evans |  play_arrow | Bill Evans in 1961 Manhatta... |
| 5east | Blue TrainJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | The classic song 'Moment’s Notice' is... |
| 6east | St. ThomasSonny Rollins |  play_arrow | Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins ni... |
| 7east | Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark |  play_arrow | It’s always mentioned as a quintessential masterpiece representing Blue Note… |
| 8east | Better Git It in Your SoulCharles Mingus |  play_arrow | Bassist and composer Charles, who was active as both a performer and a composer, ... |
| 9east | Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock |  play_arrow | Debuting on the Blue Note label, Mai... |
| 10east | Somethin’ ElseCannonball Adderley |  play_arrow | Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley... |
| 11east | Bouncin’ With BudBud Powell |  play_arrow | The jazz pianist Bud Powell... |
| 12east | Out To LunchEric Dolphy |  play_arrow | Jazz musician Eric Dolphy, 19... |
| 13east | Lonely WomanOrnette Coleman |  play_arrow | Jazz revolutionary, Ornette Coleman, uh... |
| 14north_east | Brilliant CornersThelonious Monk |  play_arrow | Thelonious Monk was an American jazz pi... |
| 15south_east | A Night in TunisiaArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers |  play_arrow | Legendary drummer Art Blakey has... |
| 16north_east | Autumn LeavesBill Evans |  play_arrow | Pianist Bill Evans’s 1… |
| 17south_east | CherokeeClifford Brown |  play_arrow | Legendary jazz trumpeter Cliff... |
| 18south_east | Song For My FatherHorace Silver |  play_arrow | As a figure known as a leading presence of hard bop, A... |
| 19south_east | Giant StepsJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | An American who rewrote the history of modern jazz... |
| 20south_east | The SidewinderLee Morgan |  play_arrow | Jazz trumpeter, Lee Morgan sa… |
| 21east | Somethin’ ElseCannonball Adderley |  play_arrow | Cannonball, the alto sax player… |
| 22east | Now’s The TimeCharlie Parker |  play_arrow | Charlie Parker is an alto saxophonist... |
| 23north_east | We Get RequestsOscar Peterson |  play_arrow | Oscar Peterson is one of the foremost figures in the jazz world... |
| 24east | My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | To the saxophone player, Mr. John Coltrane... |
| 25east | The Scene ChangesBud Powell |  play_arrow | Jazz pianist Bud Powell's new... |
| 26south_east | Helen MerrillHelen Merrill |  play_arrow | A female vocalist with an alluring husky voice... |
| 27east | Quiet KennyKenny Dorham |  play_arrow | Kenny Dorham was a jazz trumpet playe... |
| 28east | Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper |  play_arrow | Saxophonist Art Pepper in 1957… |
| 29east | Standards LiveKeith Jarrett Trio |  play_arrow | In 1987, jazz pianist Keith J… |
| 30east | Speak No EvilWayne Shorter |  play_arrow | Even today, it continues to be loved by jazz musicians… |
| 31north_east | Take FiveDave Brubeck Quartet |  play_arrow | Pianist Dave Brubeck sax... |
| 32north_east | GroovyRed Garland |  play_arrow | Jazz pianist Red Garland… |
| 33south_east | Chet Baker SingsChet Baker |  play_arrow | Jazz trumpeter Chet Bae… |
| 34east | RefugeAndrew Hill |  play_arrow | By pianist Andrew Hill… |
| 35east | Back At The Chicken ShackJimmy Smith |  play_arrow | Organist Jimmy Smith’s so… |
| 36north_east | Sonny Side UpDizzy Gillespie |  play_arrow | Dizzy Gillespie puffed out his cheeks full and... |
| 37north_east | Full HouseWes Montgomery |  play_arrow | Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery… |
| 38south_east | Soul StationHank Mobley |  play_arrow | Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley... |
| 39east | Blue’s MoodsBlue Mitchell |  play_arrow | As the title suggests, the vibe of Blue Mitchell’s... |
| 40east | Study In BrownClifford Brown |  play_arrow | Jazz trumpeter, Clifford ... |
| 41east | Midnight BlueKenny Burrell |  play_arrow | Kenny Burrell’s landmark 1963 album. A must-have for guitar enthusiasts. |
| 42north_east | Bass On TopPaul Chambers |  play_arrow | As the album title suggests, bassist Paul... |
| 43south_east | GoDexter Gordon |  play_arrow | Among saxophone albums, it’s said to be an all-time classic… |
| 44south_east | Lee Morgan Vol.3Lee Morgan |  play_arrow | He was just 18 years old when this album was released... |
| 45south_east | When Farmer Mets GryceArt Farmer |  play_arrow | Art Farmer is a trumpet player… |