How To Ease Your Way Into Jazz Music

Jazz. It’s one of those purely American creations that took the world by storm when it first came out as a legitimate form of musical expression in the early 1920s.

Some people love it while some people just don’t seem to understand it. Frank Zappa once famously said: “Jazz isn’t dead, it just smells funny.”

And it’s understandable, not everyone is going to like certain music. While some will give it a listen and be put off by the seemingly random notes being played, others will instinctively appreciate the complexity of the music and groove along to it.

Some might argue that jazz is just one of those things that you either get or don’t get or like or don’t like, but I believe that there are many things about jazz that can be appreciated by anybody who gives it an opportunity.

For one, as stated above, it is a purely American creation, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries developed by African-American communities in New Orleans.

Two, from the very beginning it has fused different genres of music and has pushed traditional instruments in new ways, essentially creating itself as a genre from pushing boundaries.

And lastly, it sets musicians up to be able to improvise a large portion of the music, again furthering itself from the restraints of sheet music and “standards.” It is arguably one of the most innovative genres of music and one that showcases the unique talents of those who play it.

Getting It

Much like you wouldn’t necessarily introduce someone into classical music by showing them Bruckner or Mahler, in jazz you wouldn’t show them albums that are too far out there.

That is not to say that certain artists are straight up too weird to get into, but in their own discography they might have records ranging from easily accessible to ‘whoa what did I just listen to?’

In jazz music, like in classical music and beer and wine, you have to start simple and acquire the taste for more complicated flavors as you go along.

Even though there are hundreds of albums to choose from, below are just a few albums from different jazz musicians that I feel serve as good entry points into the genre because: 1. Relative to other albums these are not overly complicated and 2. They offer different styles within their recording.

The Albums

Kind of Blue (1959) by Miles Davis

This album wasn’t Miles Davis’ first nor his last but it is probably his most iconic. Many see this album as his masterpiece and propelled him to jazz music legend. What makes this record important is that it is entirely based on musical modes (modality), meaning that each musician is given a set of scales and allowed to improvise within those scales (or modes). This gives each musician a sort of spotlight to shine from. Amongst the musicians that played on this record were John Coltrane, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and Bill Evans, who all went on to solidify their own names down the line. My personal favorite track on this album is “Flamenco Sketches,” as I feel it contains a load of sad emotion.

Chet Baker Sings (1954) by Chet Baker

This album is in a way a lot softer and easier to enjoy than the Miles Davis one because it functions a little more like a record to slow dance to. Chet Baker being an excellent trumpet player and crooner, makes this album easily accessible to

people just barely getting into jazz music. This album contains the songs “My Funny Valentine” and “I Fall In Love Too Easily” which you’ll be singing or humming all day after listening to.

Memorial (1987) by Clifford Brown

This is a posthumous release from the musician Clifford Brown who sadly died in a car accident in 1956 when he was just 25 years old, leaving behind only 4 years of recorded music. This record demonstrates Clifford’s energetic trumpet playing in the form of fast bop.

Giant Steps (1960) by John Coltrane

John Coltrane is a legend, and a very talented and fast saxophone player. This album is on here simply because it showcases what can be done with a standard woodwind instrument. He plays fast, bends his notes and makes noises coming out of the saxophone that one might ask how? From the many memorable tracks on this record, two in particular have got to be amongst the greatest songs ever written: “Giant Steps” and “Naima.” This record is a good introduction to the fast styles of jazz and from here, if you like it, you can explore faster genres.

The Marciac Suite (2000) by Wynton Marsalis

Moving onto a more recent jazz album from a musician that is still alive, this record is pretty standard in terms of jazz. It is like a throwback to the jazz music of the past, which is what Wynton is pretty much known for. Being that this album is a product of every innovation that has already happened in jazz music, it is a kaleidoscope of different sounds.

Straight, No Chaser (1967) by Thelonius Monk

This album is weird, but weird in the way that one can imagine themselves living inside of a Picasso painting. When you listen to this record your body turns loose as Thelonium Monk’s piano playing pushes and pulls on your nervous system like a puppet master on a puppet.

An honorary mention to this list, as in the beginning I mentioned that some albums might be too out there, there actually is an album by Eric Dolphy titled Out There (1960) which I recommend you listen to. It may not be the most accessible record but it’s a good one.

While these are only a few records from a very deep catalog that is Jazz music, they are some of the ones that I believe could interest a person who hasn’t really listened to jazz much – to listen to jazz more.

From these albums one can go on to explore the different genres within jazz or even explore individual players and/or their influences. Jazz is like a rabbit hole – you can spend years discovering new artists and records and still only be scratching the surface.

It’s important to not be so quick to judge. Like a lot of food in life, the healthiest are sometimes not the best tasting. What do I mean by that? Jazz may not be the easiest music to get into but after acquiring the taste for it, it adds so much color into your life by introducing you to new melodies, rhythms and sounds.