For many people, reside jazz is the easiest way to listen to jazz. The unbridled spontaneity of good musicians on the very prime of the sport, improvising and spurring one another on to higher artistic heights… What could possibly be higher? It was what Norman Granz, the person behind the Jazz At The Philharmonic live performance sequence, believed. He cherished listening to “jazz in the moment,” and his live performance sequence, collected on a number of the world’s greatest reside jazz albums, allowed so many to listen to jazz for the primary time outdoors of smoky golf equipment and in live performance halls.
The JATP concert events have been repeatedly recorded and they’re effectively represented right here, none finer than the 1946 concert events that includes Charlie Parker and Lester Younger, the old fashioned and the brand new faculty. Then there’s Gene Krupa & Buddy Wealthy at JATP in 1952 sharing the mom of all drum battles. However jazz performed within the setting of an intimate membership can be fantastic, whether or not or not it’s at The Village Vanguard, Mr Kelly’s, The Lighthouse, The 5 Spot, or Birdland simply to call just a few.
Beneath, we have now chosen the 50 greatest reside jazz albums, and whereas they aren’t in any specific order, we have now featured what we expect are a number of the biggest examples of jazz performed reside, information that must be in everybody’s assortment.
Construct your jazz vinyl assortment now.
Artwork Blakey Quintet: A Evening At Birdland (Blue Be aware, 1954)
Famed for his volcanic press roll and swashbuckling polyrhythmic prowess, powerhouse drummer Blakey was on the forefront of a driving, blues-inflected type of jazz generally known as onerous bop, whose origins will be traced again to this scintillating reside album recorded within the legendary Massive Apple venue dubbed the “Jazz Corner of the World.” Blakey, who went on to guide The Jazz Messengers, fronts an all-star band comprising Horace Silver, trumpeter Clifford Brown (who would perish in a automotive accident a 12 months later) and alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Propelled by Blakey’s superior sense of swing, the quintet is in impressed kind, blasting their approach by means of propulsive uptempo numbers and shimmering on quiet ballads.
Key observe: “A Night In Tunisia”
Grant Inexperienced: Reside At The Lighthouse (Blue Be aware, 1972)
St. Louis-born guitar maestro, Inexperienced, was 36 when he recorded this double LP, his second and greatest in-concert recording for Blue Be aware (his first was Alive, launched two years earlier). Although he had begun as an adherent of the onerous bop faculty within the early Sixties, Inexperienced grew to become a disciple of funk as the last decade progressed. Recorded at a well-known west coast jazz venue situated at Hermosa Seaside, California, Inexperienced and his six-piece band (together with The Crusaders’ Wilton Felder on bass) are in flamable kind. The undoubted spotlight is an incendiary 12-minute model of jazz keyboardist Neal Creque’s breezy tune, “Windjammer,” which is taken at breakneck velocity. Sadly, it will show Inexperienced’s ultimate providing for Blue Be aware and 5 years later, he could be lifeless at 43.
Key observe: “Windjammer”
Benny Goodman: Reside At Carnegie Corridor (Columbia, 1950)
One in every of America’s most hallowed classical music venues, New York’s Carnegie Corridor controversially performed host to swing king and virtuoso clarinetist Goodman in January 1938, thus giving jazz a newfound sense of each legitimacy and respectability. Enjoying in Goodman’s band that night time have been vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, trumpeter Harry James, and drummer Gene Krupa and there have been additionally cameos by Depend Basie, Lester Younger, and Johnny Hodges. The live performance was first issued on double LP in 1950 and was immediately hailed as a traditional. It captures a momentous second on the zenith of the swing period when jazz was lastly being recognised as a critical artwork kind. And it additionally swings like loopy – simply take a take heed to the whirling “Sing Sing Sing” the place wild solos are juxtaposed with disciplined ensemble work.
Key observe: “Sing Sing Sing”
Stanley Turrentine: Up At Minton’s (Blue Be aware, 1961)
Fronting a quintet (together with guitarist Grant Inexperienced and pianist Horace Parlan), tenor saxophonist, Turrentine, will get into an easy-swinging soulful groove on this reside assortment of jazz requirements recorded at a well-known Harlem venue in February 1961. Turrentine had solely made his recording debut the earlier 12 months however appears like an assured grasp right here; his sturdy however tender horn pouring out rivers of melody over foot-tapping backbeats powered by the deadly mixture of George Tucker’s bass and Al Harewood’s drums. Soul jazz at its finger-clicking greatest.
Key observe: “But Not For Me”
Dave Brubeck Quartet: Jazz At Oberlin (Fantasy, 1953)
Throughout his lengthy profession, this Californian pianist/composer who preferred to dabble with unorthodox time signatures, recorded a plethora of reside albums however this was undoubtedly one in every of his greatest. It was recorded in entrance of a largely scholar viewers at Ohio’s Oberlin faculty with Brubeck main a quartet that included alto saxophone sensation Paul Desmond, whose cool but effervescent supply (which he likened to a dry martini) got here to outline the Brubeck sound. On the time, Brubeck’s drummer, Lloyd Davis was ailing, struggling with a temperature of 103 levels, however you wouldn’t guess it listening to the assured nature of this efficiency. This reside album was a major early manifestation of what grew to become generally known as cool jazz, the place the hearth of bebop was doused and changed by a way of emotional detachment and restraint. The album additionally singled out Brubeck as a sui generis pianist with a particular, clunky type.
Key observe: “Perdido”
Eric Dolphy: Reside At The 5 Spot (New Jazz, 1961)
A number one mild within the free jazz motion of the early Sixties, reed grasp Eric Dolphy’s second within the highlight was a tragically quick one (he died in 1964 whereas on tour in Europe aged 36 in mysterious circumstances). After two studio albums for Status’s New Jazz imprint, Dolphy was recorded reside in July 1961 at New York’s 5 Spot co-leading a quartet with trumpeter Booker Little that included pianist Mal Waldron and Ornette Coleman’s drummer Ed Blackwell. Dolphy alternates between alto sax, clarinet, and flute, displaying a virtuosic fluency within the argot of every instrument whereas pushing the boundaries of bebop to breaking level with rabid, discursive solos which can be striving to interrupt custom and discover a new mode of expression in jazz. Two extra volumes of Dolphy’s 5 Spot performances have been launched after his loss of life.
Key observe: “The Prophet”
Charles Mingus: Mingus In Antibes (Atlantic, 1960)
Although recorded in July 1960, this efficiency at a French jazz pageant by Mingus and his quintet (which featured Eric Dolphy) didn’t floor commercially till 1974 when a part of the efficiency was issued by the BYG label in Japan as Charles Mingus Reside With Eric Dolphy. The whole live performance finally got here out two years later within the USA as a double LP by way of Atlantic with a brand new title: Mingus In Antibes. It captures the Arizona composer/bassist on the peak of his powers and options indelible performances of a few of his key tunes, together with “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting” and “Better Get Hit In Your Soul.” Legendary bebop pianist, Bud Powell, then residing in France, augments the band on a full of life studying of the jazz commonplace, “I’ll Remember April.”
Key observe: “Better Get Hit In Your Soul”
Miles Davis and Quincy Jones: Miles And Quincy Reside At Montreux (Warner Bros, 1993)
Miles Davis’ ultimate recorded efficiency – he would die two months later aged 65 – was this one captured in Switzerland on the Montreux Jazz Competition on July 8, 1991. What’s outstanding is that for the one time in his life, Miles determined to go towards his forward-looking rules and revisit his previous by reviving the large band music he had finished with Gil Evans within the late 50s and early 60s. Miles’ trumpet, burnished but delicate, possesses a tone that appears to underscore the poignancy of the event, and is beautifully-framed by lush preparations from an orchestra performed by Quincy Jones. A ultimate, fleeting, glimpse of the “Dark Magus” at work.
Key observe: “Summertime”
Pat Metheny Group: Travels (ECM, 1983)
Having performed with everybody from David Bowie to Joni Mitchell and Ornette Coleman, guitar magus Metheny is a chameleonic musician whose expertise and urge for food for music is aware of no limits. A prolific recording artist with nearly fifty albums to his title, the Missouri multi-Grammy winner’s first reside album was this one, recorded on the highway along with his fusion-oriented eponymous band (augmented by Brazilian percussionist/singer Nana Vasconcelos) within the USA throughout 1982. The killer minimize is an impressed rendition of “Are You Going With Me,” thought to be Metheny’s signature tune, which finds the fretboard maestro enjoying stratospheric melodic strains by means of a guitar synth. Keyboardist Lyle Mays additionally has a starring function, impressing along with his mix of approach and sensitivity.
Key observe: “Are You Going With Me”
Stan Getz: At The Shrine (Norgran, 1955)
Recorded at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium in November 1954, Getz’s first ever reside album was this one, launched by producer Norman Granz on one in every of two small labels he based earlier than beginning Verve two years later. Getz was already making a reputation for himself on the US west coast along with his silky, sinuous tenor saxophone sound which put him within the vanguard of the Californian cool faculty. Getz, who leads a quintet bolstered by the presence of famous trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, runs by means of an eight-song repertoire whose highlights embrace the jaunty “Feather Merchant” and a haunting tackle the jazz commonplace, “Lover Man.”
Key observe: “I’ll Remember April”
Louis Armstrong & The All Stars: Satchmo At Symphony Corridor (Decca, 1947)
Louis Armstrong was 46 when he recorded this album however he was removed from a spent power even when the bebop revolution was effectively beneath approach. A revival of public curiosity in conventional New Orleans jazz throughout the Forties mixed with the decline of massive bands led him to kind a small touring group he dubbed The All Stars, which he ran for a few years (its members throughout its a number of incarnations included pianist Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines and trombonist Jack Teagarden). Although recorded at Boston’s Symphony Corridor on November thirtieth 1947, the live performance didn’t see daylight on LP till 1951, when it was issued as a double album. Armstrong is in scintillating kind as each a horn participant and vocalist. The spirit of outdated New Orleans is summoned by a beautiful rendition of “Mahogany Stomp,” that surges with contrapuntal vigor. There’s additionally an affecting model of “The Sunny Side Of The Street,” which, regardless of its title, is rendered as a mournful second of reflection, topped off with a poignant vocal from Satchmo.
Key observe: “Mahogany Stomp”
Varied Artists: Jazz At Hollywood Bowl (Verve, 1956)
This enthralling reside album, recorded in entrance of 20,000 folks, captured the primary ever official jazz live performance on the Hollywood Bowl, a venue often reserved for classical music. The occasion was the brainchild of jazz impresario, Norman Granz, famed for his groundbreaking Jazz At The Philharmonic concert events. He corralled one of the best abilities within the jazz world for the Hollywood Bowl gig, roping in Ella Fitzgerald (whom he managed and had simply signed to his Verve label) and Louis Armstrong, plus pianists Artwork Tatum and Oscar Peterson in addition to famous hornblowers Roy Eldridge and Illinois Jacket with Buddy Wealthy on drums. Fitzgerald’s set contains her hilarious impersonation of Satchmo, who joins her on the finale for a few memorable duets. An expanded model of the live performance was issued in 2011 by Verve/Hip-O Choose.
Key observe: “Airmail Special”
Frank Sinatra & Depend Basie: Sinatra At The Sands (Reprise, 1966)
‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ had already minimize two studio albums with the Basie band earlier within the 60s (62’s Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First and 64’s It Would possibly As Nicely Be Swing, each on Reprise) however this double LP from 1966 supplied a vivid portrait of the dynamic duo performing reside at The Sands resort/on line casino in Vegas. Backed by the super-slick, hard-swinging Basie band, the ‘Chairman Of The Board’ is in prime kind – even his stage patter and lame jokes are humorous – serving up turbo-charged variations of a few of his traditional tunes, together with a hovering “Come Fly With Me” and a horn-heavy “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” This was Sinatra’s first official reside album and rapidly went gold. Extra importantly, it affirmed that the boy from Hoboken might nonetheless ship the products on the age of fifty.
Key observe: “Fly Me To The Moon”
Benny Carter: Reside And Nicely In Japan! (Pablo, 1978)
A flexible, multi-talented instrumentalist (he might play alto sax, trumpet, and clarinet equally effectively), Bennett Lester Carter was 4 months shy of his seventieth birthday when he carried out at Kosei Nenkin Corridor in Tokyo on April 29, 1977. The live performance was recorded and launched by jazz impresario Norman Granz on his Pablo label a 12 months later. Although in his twilight years, Carter, who alternates between trumpet and sax, shines brightly; his horns framed by chic, swinging preparations from an ace nine-piece band that features guitarist Mundell Lowe and Duke Ellington trumpeter, Cat Anderson. His tribute to Louis Armstrong, a medley of “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South,” “Confessin’ That I Love You,” and “When You’re Smiling,” has the effusive Japanese viewers clapping alongside joyfully.
Key observe: “Them There Eyes”
The Ornette Coleman Trio: At The Golden Circle, Stockholm Volumes 1 & 2 (Blue Be aware, 1966)
The bête noir of the free jazz motion, Ornette Coleman first recorded for the LA-based Modern label in 1958 earlier than touchdown at New York’s Atlantic Information a 12 months later armed with a plastic saxophone the place he shook the jazz world to its core with information like The Form Of Jazz To Come. In 1965, the saxophonist joined Blue Be aware, who launched two reside albums of fully unique materials in fast succession that captured Coleman and his trio (with bassist David Izenzon and drummer Charles Moffett) enjoying two nights at Stockholm’s Gyllene Cirkeln membership in December 1965. Each concert events discovered Coleman alternating between alto sax, violin, and trumpet, all of which he performed in an unorthodox and experimental trend; the place texture, tone and feeling outmoded standard ideas of melody and concord.
Key observe: “Faces And Places”
John Coltrane: Reside At Birdland (Impulse!, 1964)
This, Coltrane’s second reside LP along with his traditional quartet for Impulse! contained 5 tracks, however solely three of them have been really recorded in-concert at New York’s well-known Birdland membership. Taking over facet one of many album have been the saxophonist’s reside variations of Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue” – an uptempo modal providing with Trane on soprano sax – and Billy Eckstine’s ballad, “I Want To Talk About You” (which the saxophonist had recorded on one in every of his earlier Status albums). Aspect two of the LP opened with the uptempo “The Promise,” which was then adopted by two studio recordings from November 1963. The most effective of them was a haunting piece referred to as “Alabama,” Coltrane’s musical response to a church bombing by white supremacists in Birmingham, Alabama, by which 4 kids have been killed. It stays one in every of Coltrane’s most potent compositions.
Key observe: “Alabama”
Miles Davis: Birdland (Blue Be aware, 1951)
Although the muffled sound high quality of this album – compiled from reside radio broadcasts spanning February to September 1951 – will appall audiophiles, what does shine by means of clearly is the incendiary efficiency of Miles Davis and his accompanying musicians (which embrace Artwork Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, and Charles Mingus). Miles and his crew are on fireplace, as they romp by means of early bebop materials, together with “Move,” “Tempus Fugit” and “Half Nelson.” The recordings exchanged fingers as much-sought-after bootlegs for a few years and didn’t get an official launch till 2004. For Miles lovers, it’s a must-own album because it captures him at an important level in his evolution as a bandleader.
Key observe: “Down”
Kenny Dorham: Spherical About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia (Blue Be aware, 1956)
From Fairfield, Texas, Dorham (1924-1972) was an essential trumpeter within the bebop period – he was additionally briefly a member of Artwork Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – although his contribution to jazz has usually been ignored. This was Dorham’s first reside album and the second of 5 LPs he minimize for Alfred Lion’s Blue Be aware label throughout the years 1955-1964. Dorham leads a quintet that features tenor saxophonist J. R. Montrose and pianist Bobby Timmons on a combination of unique materials and requirements. The general vibe is a reasonably relaxed one, with the uptempo materials swinging blithely. Dorham’s chic model of Thelonious Monk’s traditional tune, “Round Midnight,” highlights his extraordinary sensitivity with ballads. The unique 6-song LP was expanded into 17-tracks for the 2002 full version CD reissue.
Key observe: “Round Midnight”
Stephane Grappelli: Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark (Pablo, 1980)
On July sixth 1979, famous producer and Pablo founder, Norman Granz, determined to seize veteran French violin virtuoso, Grappelli, then 71, enjoying in a trio configuration with American guitarist Joe Cross and famend Danish bass participant, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. The tip end result was eight songs (all well-loved requirements, together with absorbing renditions of Cole Porter’s “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and George & Ira Gershwin’s “I Can’t Get Started”) and 43 minutes of spellbinding performances that melded dazzling improv with intuitive group interaction. Pay attention out specifically for the frenetic-paced “Crazy Rhythm,” which swings with wild abandon.
Key observe: “Crazy Rhythm”
Billie Vacation: The Important Billie Vacation: The Carnegie Corridor Live performance (Verve, 1962)
Recorded reside at New York’s celebrated classical music venue, Carnegie Corridor, in November 1956 – two and a half years earlier than her loss of life on the age of 44 – this album wasn’t issued in Vacation’s lifetime and was launched three years after her passing. Although her voice had misplaced its richness by the late 50s and possessed a thinner timbre, to compensate it had gained a deeper sense of emotional expression. She’s on magnificent kind on twelve songs that embrace a few of her most memorable tunes; together with “Lady Sings The Blues,” “Don’t Explain,” and “Body & Soul.” She’s backed by a quartet that options guitarist Kenny Burrell and drummer Chico Hamilton. The CD reissue of the album included New York Occasions author, Gilbert Millstein, narrating passages taken from Vacation’s autobiography, Girl Sings The Blues, which appeared within the unique live performance however have been omitted from the LP.
Key observe: “Lady Sings The Blues”
Diana Krall: Reside In Paris (Verve, 2002)
This sultry-voiced Canadian chanteuse revived curiosity in vocal jazz within the late Nineties and early 2000s with a sequence of tasteful, carefully-crafted, Tommy LiPuma-helmed studio albums that conquered the mainstream pop charts (they included After I Look In Your Eyes, and The Look Of Love). Recorded within the ‘City of Light’s’ well-known Olympia venue on the finish of 2001, Reside In Paris discovered Krall main a quartet that was often augmented by a symphony orchestra. In addition to being in advantageous kind vocally, Krall performs some deft piano and in addition exhibits that she will swing in addition to she will ship ballads. Highlights vary from a sensuous remake of Bacharach-David’s “The Look Of Love” to a jazz-infused tackle fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You.”
Key observe: “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
Gene Krupa & Buddy Wealthy: At JATP: The Drum Battle (Verve, 1960)
Removed from being a deafening, high-decibel din that one would possibly count on from two virtuoso and purportedly egotistical tub-thumpers on the prime of their video games, this 6-song LP recorded reside at New York’s Carnegie Corridor in 1952 – as a part of Norman Granz’s Jazz At The Philharmonic sequence of concert events – supplied way more than combative drum solos. This was the primary time that 43-year-old Krupa and 35-year-old Wealthy had performed collectively and regardless of their aggressive rivalry, they put the music first, somewhat than their egos, in a memorable live performance that additionally contains a cameo from Ella Fitzgerald in addition to stellar contributions from Lester Younger, Oscar Peterson, Roy Eldridge, and Benny Carter.
Key observe: “Drum Boogie”
Shelly Manne & His Males: At The Black Hawk (Modern, 1960)
Although he was born in New York, drummer Sheldon ‘Shelly’ Manne moved to Los Angeles within the 50s and have become related to the west coast “cool school” scene. In September 1959, throughout a residency at San Francisco’s Black Hawk membership, his quintet (together with Victor Feldman on piano, who would later work with Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis) have been recorded by Modern’s proprietor, producer Lester Koenig. It resulted on this chic LP, whose highlights included a ravishing rendition of George Gershwin’s ballad, “Summertime,” spotlighting Joe Gordon’s delicate muted trumpet and Richie Kamuca’s lyrical tenor saxophone. Modern later launched three extra albums culled from the group’s Black Hawk performances.
Key observe: “Summertime”
John McLaughlin: The Coronary heart Of Issues: Reside In Paris (Verve, 2000)
Britain’s Doncaster-born jazz-rock avatar was 56 in November 1998 when he carried out at Paris’ Le Cigale venue with a band that included saxophonist Gary Thomas, bassist Matthew Garrison, and drummer Dennis Chambers. Coronary heart Of Issues was his studio album on the time and though he performed three tracks from it right here (together with the fluid opener, “Seven Sisters”), this efficiency wasn’t issued till three years later. McLaughlin shows the fleet-of-finger fretboard prowess that has turn into his trademark however it’s allied with sensitivity and, on the reflective “Fallen Angels,” the place his guitar intertwines with Gary Thomas’s plaintive sax, he shows an aching, heartfelt lyricism.
Key observe: “Mother Tongues”
The Fashionable Jazz Quartet: The Final Live performance (Atlantic, 1975)
Initially a sprawling double album, this LP documented the ultimate gig on November twenty fifth 1974 of one in every of jazz’s coolest quartets, who rose to fame within the Fifties once they famously married bebop with the aesthetics of classical chamber music. Led by Milt Jackson’s crystalline vibraphone tones, the group bow out in advantageous type as they serve up a combination of traditional unique tunes (“Django” and “Bag’s Groove”) and jazz requirements (“Summertime”) at New York’s Avery Fisher Corridor. For a lot of, the set’s standout is a shimmering model of Thelonious Monk’s ballad, “Round Midnight.” Atlantic launched an extra LP of fabric culled from the efficiency as Extra From The Final Live performance, and later mixed each right into a 2-CD bundle referred to as The Full Final Live performance.
Key observe: “Round Midnight”
Gerry Mulligan and The Live performance Jazz Band: At The Village Vanguard (Verve, 1960)
Like Shelly Manne, baritone sax specialist, Mulligan, was a New Yorker who grew to become a key architect of the west coast “cool” jazz sound. This reside album, recorded within the Massive Apple’s legendary Village Vanguard venue in December 1960 got here within the wake of Mulligan’s critically acclaimed Verve studio album, The Live performance Jazz Band, showcasing a big ensemble that includes trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. For this reside efficiency, Mulligan augmented the 11-piece band with trumpeter Clark Terry. The fabric is usually drawn from the usual repertoire, however the preparations – the place creative solo passages are framed by tightly-knit preparations and cohesive ensemble enjoying – are something however commonplace.
Key observe: “Black Nightgown”
The Oscar Peterson Trio: At The Concertgebouw (Verve, 1958)
A Dutch jazz fan recorded Peterson along with guitarist, Herb Ellis, and bassist Ray Brown once they appeared in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw venue within the spring of 1958 after which supplied the tapes to Norman Granz, Peterson’s supervisor and producer. Granz launched eight songs from the live performance later the identical 12 months on his Verve label claiming that the performances contained “some of the most exciting trio music I’ve heard in years.” The fabric ranges from requirements (“The Lady Is Tramp” and “I’ve Got The World On A String”) to bebop tunes (Milt Jackson’s “Bag’s Groove” and Miles Davis’s “Budo”); every impeccably rendered by Peterson’s trio, whose musical interaction is beautiful.
Key observe: “The Lady Is A Tramp”
Jimmy Smith: Groovin’ At Smalls’ Paradise (Blue Be aware, 1958)
Hammond hero, Jimmy Smith, wasn’t the primary jazz organist however such was his expertise that he grew to become a key determine in serving to the instrument being taken critically inside a jazz context. Smith made his recording debut in 1956 for Blue Be aware and rapidly grew to become the label’s best-selling recording artist; by the point he recorded Groovin’ in late 1957 at New York’s Small’s Paradise, he already had twelve LPs beneath his belt. Listening to this scorching reside set, which was launched in two separate volumes, it’s not onerous to see why Blue Be aware have been releasing a variety of Smith albums within the late ’50s; along with being a showman who dazzled along with his jaw-dropping approach, he additionally knew the best way to prepare dinner up a simmering, succulent groove that acquired toes tapping. Supported by guitarist Eddie McFadden and drummer Donald Bailey, he provides because the centerpiece an insanely quick however fluent model of bebop trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s “The Champ.”
Key observe: “The Champ”
Climate Report: Reside In Tokyo (Columbia, 1972)
As this thrilling in-concert album confirms, Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter’s fusion supergroup have been making difficult and intense avant-garde-tinged music of their early days collectively. Powered by the kinetic polyrhythms of drummer Eric Gravatt and the grinding bass of Miroslav Vitous, the quintet (which additionally boasted Brazilian percussion maven, Dom Um Romao) work together onstage in an nearly telepathic approach in order that the music simply retains flowing in a purely spontaneous method. Initially solely out there in Japan, Reside In Tokyo was issued as a double LP and comprises 5 lengthy tracks, 4 of that are medleys. Although Joe Zawinul was famend for his synth enjoying – which helped outline Climate Report’s sound from the mid-70s onwards – right here he performs acoustic and electrical piano, the latter modified by a hoop modulator impact.
Key observe: “Medley: Eurydice/The Moors”
Mary Lou Williams Trio: Mary Lou Williams Trio At Rick’s Cafe Americain (Storyville, 1999)
A prolific composer and arranger who labored with Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Dizzy Gillespie, Atlanta-born pianist Williams recorded this album at a Chicago membership simply two years earlier than her loss of life in 1981 aged 71. Assisted by Milton Suggs on bass and drummer, Drashear Khalid, who provide sterling assist, Williams breezes her approach by means of a repertoire composed of requirements and traditional jazz numbers together with materials by Duke Ellington and Billy Taylor. Although she made her first recordings far again within the Nineteen Twenties, this live performance exhibits that Williams was no stranger to the argot of bebop and was a dexterous and delicate pianist well-versed in fashionable jazz in addition to its older types.
Key observe: “The Jeep Is Jumping”
Varied: Jazz At The Philharmonic Chicken & Pres: The ’46 Live shows (Verve, 1977)
Entrepreneur Norman Granz’s all-star Jazz At The Philharmonic (JATP) concert events helped to provide jazz an aura of respectability within the Forties and in addition took the music to a a lot wider viewers. Charlie Parker and Lester Younger have been the celebs of a sequence of 1946 concert events that weren’t formally launched till 1977. Each horn gamers are on the prime of their respective video games on 9 tracks chosen from three JATP concert events that embrace a stupendously swinging model of the Gershwin brothers’ “Oh Lady Be Good.” With a stellar supporting solid comprising Buddy Wealthy on drums, Coleman Hawkins on tenor sax, and Buck Clayton and Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, high-quality jazz is assured.
Key observe: “I Got Rhythm”
Invoice Laurance: Reside At Union Chapel (Floor UP, 2016)
Although a member of acclaimed Grammy-winning US neo-fusion band, Snarky Pet, keyboardist Laurance hails from London. His solo albums have a method all their very own, melding cinematic soundscapes with jazz improv, classical music parts, and funkafied grooves. This, his third album, recorded at London’s Union Chapel venue in Could 2015, finds him revisiting materials from his earlier two studio albums (Flint and Swift) within the firm of Snarky Pet’s bassist Michael League and drummer Robert ‘Sput’ Seawright; and, so as to add further gloss and a contact of grandeur, there’s additionally a full orchestra. The tip result’s an enthralling live performance that displays the eclectic nature of up to date jazz.
Key observe: “December In New York”
Snarky Pet: Sylva (Impulse!, 2015)
Based by bass participant and composer/arranger, Michael League, Snarky Pet is a Grammy-winning collective that launched its first album in 2005. Capable of fuse totally different musical threads collectively right into a homogenous tapestry of sound, their distinctive type attracts on jazz, funk, and R&B. A number of of the band’s members – together with keyboardists Invoice Laurance and Cory Henry – have launched solo tasks however stay an integral a part of the group’s sonic id and constant to the collective’s trigger. Sylva was recorded reside in Dordrecht, Holland, in April 2014 and is an thrilling collaboration with Metropole Orkest, a long-running non-classical Dutch orchestra beneath the baton of arranger, Jules Buckley. The latter’s widescreen preparations deliver an epic dimension to the band’s music. The album picked up the Grammy for Greatest Modern Instrumental Album in 2016.
Key observe: “Atchafalaya”
Thelonious Monk Quartet With John Coltrane: At Carnegie Corridor (Blue Be aware, 2005)
This was recorded in November 1957 however solely got here to mild after being found within the US Library of Congress 48 years later. It paperwork a time when Coltrane was making a comeback with Monk after being fired from Miles Davis’ band for drug and drink-related issues earlier within the 12 months. After liberating himself from his addictions for good, Coltrane joined Monk’s quartet, and although he initially discovered the pianist/composer’s music replete with difficult melodies and chord adjustments, he quickly grew to become adept at enjoying Monk’s materials. Simply how good the reborn Coltrane had turn into is illustrated by this fabulous live performance, a vivid snapshot of two, however very totally different, jazz geniuses at work.
Key observe: “Nutty”
Cecil Taylor: Reside At Cafe Montmartre (Debut, 1963)
A number one mild of American avant-garde music, the late Cecil Taylor was a pianist who discovered gigs onerous to come back by within the USA throughout the 60s and 70s as a result of difficult nature and uncompromising atonality of his music. Actually, in a reside setting, Taylor might create a disturbing noise to the ears of the uninitiated, however as this traditional album, recorded in Denmark in late 1962 exhibits, the visceral energy of his distinctive sound couldn’t be denied. Right here, he’s joined by saxophonist, Jimmy Lyons, and drummer, Arthur Murray, who provide sturdy assist to Taylor’s startling improvisations.
Key observe: “Trance”
Ahmad Jamal: However Not For Me: Reside At The Pershing (Argo, 1958)
Famend for his delicate, pianissimo contact and even handed use of area, pianist Jamal rose to fame within the Fifties main a trio comprising bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier. This was the primary of many reside albums by Jamal and in addition his debut for Chess Information’ Argo subsidiary. It was recorded at Chicago’s Pershing Resort and contains two of his signature songs; a warp-speed “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top,” and an unique meditation referred to as “Poinciana.” Although Jamal’s sound was dismissed by some critics as mere cocktail lounge music, the album went on to turn into a powerful success commercially, promoting over one million copies.
Key observe: “Poinciana”
Anita O’Day: At Mr Kelly’s (Verve, 1958)
Accompanied by a telepathic trio – who appear to anticipate the singer’s each transfer and provide delicate musical assist all through – 39-year-old O’Day is in spectacular kind on this reside album recorded at a well-known Chicago nightspot in April 1958. Adept at each swinging uptempo and gradual, seductive ballad materials, O’Day additionally injects some enjoyable and irreverence into the proceedings with the inclusion of novelty objects like “Varsity Drag” and “Tea For Two”; the latter taken at a near-suicidal breakneck velocity and displaying off her capability to scat and improvise like a horn participant. Although O’Day was labelled the ‘Jezebel of Jazz’ for her wild life-style and medicines offences, this reside album confirmed that her phenomenal musical expertise deserved to make the newspaper headlines somewhat than her offstage antics.
Key observe: “Tea For Two”
Nina Simone: In Live performance (Philips, 1964)
The tempestuous and unpredictable Nina Simone was a magnetic stage performer who launched many reside albums throughout her life although this one, her debut for the Philips label, is arguably one of the best. It was compiled from three nights at New York’s Carnegie Corridor within the spring of 1964 and opens with a plaintive rendition of “I Loves You Porgy,” one in every of Simone’s signature songs. Elsewhere although, Simone provides three notable self-penned songs (“Old Jim Crow,” “Go Limp,” and “Mississippi Goddam”) that supply a chilling critique of racial prejudice in America. In Live performance marked Simone’s metamorphosis right into a protest singer throughout some of the turbulent durations of the Civil Rights period whereas additionally underlining her genius as an edgy and uncompromising reside performer.
Key observe: “Pirate Jenny”
Dinah Washington with Clifford Brown: Dinah Jams (Emarcy, 1954)
Along with her crisp, declamatory tone and clear diction, the incomparable “Miss D” possessed a particular sound that meant she was by no means mistaken for one more singer. She’s at her imperious greatest on this reside studio session recorded in entrance of an viewers in Hollywood on August 14, 1954 in tandem with rising bebop trumpet star, Clifford Brown. Although she was influenced by Bessie Smith and was dubbed “Queen of the Blues,” this reside album exhibits that Washington might sing jazz with each verve and élan. The vibe is relaxed however there’s some terrific interaction between her and Brown, whereas the stellar backing band – that includes Maynard Ferguson, Max Roach, Harold Land, and Junior Mance – supplies dynamic accompaniment all through.
Key observe: “Lover Come Back To Me”
Dave Grusin Presents GRP All-Star Massive Band: Reside! (GRP, 1993)
The “G” in GRP Information, pianist Dave Grusin leads a star-studded 17-piece ensemble recorded in live performance at Tokyo’s Gotanda Kan-i Hoken Corridor in January 1993. That includes the skills of a few of modern jazz’s main musicians – together with saxophonist/arranger Tom Scott, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, vibraphonist Gary Burton, bassist John Pattitucci, and drummer Dave Weckyl – the band provides thrilling widescreen preparations of 9 jazz requirements, together with Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo” and John Coltrane’s “Blue Train.” Melding uncooked energy with a velvet finesse, the group takes no prisoners with its syncopated grooves, which hurtle alongside like unstoppable juggernauts.
Key observe: “Manteca”
Invoice Evans: Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Riverside, 1961)
Pianist Invoice Evans launched many notable reside albums throughout his 24-year-long recording profession (together with Waltz For Debby, At The Montreux Jazz Competition, and The Paris Live performance) however this superlative album, recorded in June 1961 in Greenwich Village is arguably the best of all of them. Enjoying alongside Evans is a younger virtuoso bassist Scott LaFaro (who could be tragically killed ten days later) and drummer Paul Motian, who each helped to deliver Evans’ imaginative and prescient of making a democratic sense of musical interplay inside a trio context to life. Highlights included the forlorn and achingly romantic “My Man’s Gone Now,” and a swinging model of Miles Davis’ “Solar.” In 2006, this groundbreaking album was expanded to a 3-CD set, The Full Reside At The Village Vanguard.
Key observe: “All Of You”
John Coltrane: At The Village Vanguard (Impulse!, 1961)
This was Coltrane’s first ever reside album, compiled from two nights’ performances in November 1961 at New York’s Village Vanguard. This was not the bop-oriented Coltrane of Large Steps launched only a 12 months earlier however a saxophonist eager to discover elongated modal jazz grooves and uncover new musical terrain. Free jazz maven, Eric Dolphy, augments Trane’s quartet along with his bass clarinet on facet one’s opener, the self-penned “Spiritual,” which anticipates the mesmeric type of the saxophonist’s magnum opus, A Love Supreme, launched three years later. Extra overtly avant-garde is “Chasin’ The Trane,” which occupies the entire of facet two and finds the saxophonist blowing his horn with the febrile depth of a person possessed. The album divided the critics on the time however is now thought to be an essential milestone in Coltrane’s oeuvre. Within the CD age, the album has been expanded right into a 4-CD field set.
Key observe: “Chasin’ The Trane”
Miles Davis & Thelonious Monk: Miles & Monk Reside At Newport (Columbia, 1964)
Regardless of the misleading album title, Miles and Monk don’t carry out collectively on this LP however occupy one facet every with their units from the Newport Jazz Competition. Miles’ efficiency is from 1958 when he was main the sextet (with Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Invoice Evans) that might go on to chop Variety Of Blue lower than a 12 months later. On the unique LP, they have been represented by 4 cuts, together with a brisk model of Monk’s “Straight No Chaser.” The Monk facet of the album contained two elongated cuts (“Nutty” and “Blue Monk”) from his 1963 Newport look, and finds his traditional quartet augmented by clarinetist, Pee Wee Russell, who provides a distinct dimension to the pianist’s music. Each Monk and Miles are on the apex of their powers right here and their contrasting approaches to jazz providing an interesting juxtaposition of kinds.
Key tracks:“Blue Monk” (Monk) and “Two Bass Hit” (Davis)
The Quintet: Jazz At Massey Corridor (Debut, 1956)
“The Quintet” was a bebop supergroup consisting of Charlie Parker – who was initially billed as “Charlie Chan” due to report firm politics – with Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Bud Powell, and Max Roach. Their look at Toronto’s Massey Corridor on Could fifteenth 1953 was meant to be a celebration of bop however really got here to outline the tip of an period because it was the final time Parker, Gillespie, Powell and Roach would play collectively. Mingus issued the live performance, which contained variations of the bebop classics, “A Night In Tunisia,” “52nd Street,” and “Hot House,” by way of his personal Debut label in 1956, however not earlier than he had re-recorded a few of his bass strains, which have been inaudible on the unique recording. The album was later expanded from six to 16 cuts when it was reissued by Status beneath the title The Biggest Jazz Live performance Ever.
Key observe: “A Night In Tunisia”
Erroll Garner: Live performance By The Sea (Columbia, 1955)
In September 1955, a Gothic-style live performance corridor within the Californian coastal city of Carmel performed host to one in every of jazz’s most flamboyant pianists: the technically completed Erroll Garner. However Garner had no thought his efficiency was being recorded till his supervisor, Martha Glaser, found {that a} jazz-obsessed US serviceman was taping the gig for a navy radio broadcast. Glaser acquired the grasp tape after which persuaded Columbia to launch it; it went on to promote over one million copies. Garner’s trio, consisting of bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Denzil Greatest, is in spectacular kind. The highlights embrace a super-charged model of the jazz commonplace, “I’ll Remember April” and a joyful, softly-swinging “Red Top.” Live performance By The Sea stays the go-to reside album for these wishing to get acquainted with the Pittsburgh pianist’s jazz.
Key observe: “Red Top”
Wynton Kelly Trio and Wes Montgomery: Smokin’ At The Half Be aware (Verve, 1965)
Indianapolis fretboard avatar, Wes Montgomery, teamed up with Miles Davis’ Variety Of Blue rhythm part (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb) and was recorded by jazz uber producer Creed Taylor enjoying at New York’s Half Be aware membership in June 1965. What resulted was a sensational reside album that satisfied everybody who heard it of Montgomery’s genius. It helped, although, that he was backed by a sympathetic and intuitive trio, whose accompaniment is exemplary all through. Montgomery shines brightest on the cool, self-penned groove, “Four On Six,” and the driving swinger, “Unit 7.” The unique 9-track album was reissued in an expanded kind in 2005.
Key observe: “Four On Six”
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: At Newport (Columbia, 1956)
Just a few large bands survived into the Fifties, one in every of which belonged to jazz aristocrat, Duke Ellington, though his reputation gave the impression to be fading as bebop started to dominate jazz. However then got here a career-changing incendiary look on the 1956 Newport Jazz Competition, which revived the bandleader’s attraction within the US. His band’s efficiency there was captured on tape, then issued on LP and rapidly grew to become a bestseller. The unequivocal standout on the album was an amazing 14-minute model of Ellington’s 1937 stomper, “Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue,” the place tenor saxophonist, Paul Gonsalves, blew a rampaging 27-chorus solo that had the group on its toes and went down in historical past as one in every of Newport’s most interesting moments.
Key observe: “Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue”
Sonny Rollins: A Evening At The Village Vanguard (Blue Be aware, 1958)
Although for well being causes, Sonny Rollins, who’s now 90, not performs his beloved tenor saxophone, this beautiful reside album (initially launched by Blue Be aware as a single LP in 1958 earlier than being reissued as a double CD in 1999) reminds us what a prodigious expertise he was. It captures the mighty colossus of the tenor saxophone enjoying in a trio format (alongside bassist Donald Bailey and alternating drummers Elvin Jones and Pete La Roca) throughout November 1957 in one in every of New York’s most iconic jazz golf equipment. Considerably, the absence of a piano participant signifies that Rollins was unfettered harmonically and was in a position to roam freely in his improvisations. It results in some jaw-droppingly memorable situations of genius-level extemporization from a saxophonist who appears to be nothing lower than a gushing fount of limitless, free-flowing melody.
Key observe: “Sonnymoon For Two”
Ella Fitzgerald: Ella in Berlin: Mack The Knife (Verve, 1960)
Don’t you simply find it irresistible when the surprising occurs throughout a reside efficiency on stage? This outstanding LP, recorded in February 1960 at Berlin’s Deutschlandhalle, captures the second when the so-called ‘First Lady’ of tune does the unthinkable and forgets the phrases to “Mack The Knife.” Somewhat than panic, like a real skilled she calmly proceeds to improvise her personal lyrics (together with the humorous line, “we’re making a wreck of ‘Mack The Knife’”) after which embarks on a wild scat solo that impersonates Louis Armstrong’s gruff vocal supply. Although that is undoubtedly the apex of the report, there are different highlights, amongst them a sassy rendition of “The Lady Is A Tramp” and deliciously languorous model of “Summertime.”
Key observe: “Mack The Knife”
Keith Jarrett: The Köln Live performance (ECM, 1975)
If this Pennsylvanian pianist had by no means made one other LP after this one, he would nonetheless have a spot within the pantheon of jazz greats. For a lot of, this astounding album of lengthy piano improvisations recorded in January 1975 is Jarrett’s magnum opus and the report that greatest encapsulates his genius. Its spellbinding magnificence highlights Jarrett’s lyricism and emotional sensitivity in addition to his prodigious approach. Jarrett has recorded many related solo recitals since however whereas they’re all uniformly wonderful, none of them fairly match the sonic alchemy and attain the artistic apogee that he achieves right here. Actually impressed.
Key observe: “Köln, January 24, 1975 Part 1”
Lacking one thing from our greatest reside jazz albums checklist? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
