Herb Alpert - Rise

Rise

This 1979 album by Herb Alpert is my favorite. It has the popular jazz-funk song "Rise". Other songs here are "1980", "Rotation", "Behind the Rain", "Aranjuez (Mon Amour)", "Love Is", "Angelina", and "Street Life". The 2007 edition also has "Rotation" (Alternate Version) and "Aranjuez (Mon Amour)" 2007 Dance Mix.

John Coltrane - Interstellar Space

Interstellar Space

Recorded in 1967, Interstellar Space is a highly energetic album of free jazz. The album has some really amazing playing with saxophonist John Coltrane and drummer Rashied Ali. This duet suite is "Mars", "Venus", "Jupiter", "Saturn", "Leo", and "Jupiter variation". This is one of my favorite jazz albums. I also like his Blue Train, A Love Supreme, and Ascension albums.

John Coltrane - Ascension

Ascension

John Coltrane's 1966 album Ascension is unlike any other. It is mostly avant-garde jazz. The album starts with an ensemble, then a musician has a solo which last a few minutes each, then an ensemble again, then another solo from another musician... . Edition I and II are about 40 minutes each. The album has to be listened to several times to fully hear all that is going on. John Coltrane – tenor saxophone, Freddie Hubbard, Dewey Johnson – trumpet, Marion Brown, John Tchicai - alto saxophone, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp - tenor saxophone, McCoy Tyner - piano, Art Davis, Jimmy Garrison - bass, and Elvin Jones - drums. I also like his Blue Train, A Love Supreme, and Interstellar Space albums.

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

A Love Supreme

One of the best jazz albums ever, jazz saxophonist John Coltrane's 1965 album A Love Supreme is a spiritual album. From "Acknowledgement", "Resolution", "Pursuance", to "Psalm ", it is a wonderful album of jazz, with great playing by all musicians. John Coltrane - tenor saxophone, Jimmy Garrison – bass, Elvin Jones – drums, and McCoy Tyner – piano. I also like his Blue Train, Ascension, and Interstellar Space albums.

John Coltrane - Blue Train

Blue Train

One of my favorite jazz albums, this 50s hard bop jazz album by saxophonist John Coltrane is one of his best. From "Blue Train", "Moment's Notice", "Locomotion", "I'm Old Fashioned", to "Lazy Bird". There are also alternate takes of "Blue Train", and "Lazy Bird". John Coltrane - tenor saxophone, Lee Morgan - trumpet, Curtis Fuller - trombone, Kenny Drew - piano, Paul Chambers - bass, and Philly Joe Jones - drums. I also like his A Love Supreme, Ascension, and Interstellar Space albums.

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

Kind of Blue

The 1959 album Kind of Blue, is one of the most famous jazz albums ever, and a must own album for jazz fans. The album includes great jazz musicians like John Coltrane, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, and Bill Evans. The album has "So What", "Freddie Freeloader", "Blue in Green", "All Blues", and "Flamenco Sketches". Miles Davis - trumpet, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley - alto saxophone, John Coltrane - tenor saxophone, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans - piano, Paul Chambers - bass, and Jimmy Cobb - drums. I also like his Bitches Brew and On the Corner albums.

Miles Davis - Bitches Brew

Bitches Brew

This 1970 album by Miles Davis is one of my favorites. It is one of his best jazz albums. It is very different sounding jazz, using many different instruments like electric guitars and conga. The album has "Pharaoh's Dance", "Bitches Brew", "Spanish Key", "John McLaughlin", "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down", "Sanctuary", and "Feio". I also like his Kind of Blue and On the Corner albums.

Miles Davis - On the Corner

On the Corner

This 1972 jazz-funk album by Miles Davis is one of my favorites in jazz. A very different sounding jazz album than his earlier era jazz. The album has "On The Corner/New York Girl/Thinkin' Of One Thing And Doin' Another/Vote For Miles", "Black Satin", "One and One", to "Helen Butte/Mr. Freedom X". I also like his Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew albums.

Pharoah Sanders - Karma

Karma

Karma is my favorite Pharoah Sanders album. From 1969, the album is mostly avant-garde jazz and free jazz, with great playing by all musicians. It has the half hour long "The Creator Has a Master Plan", and the shorter "Colors". Many musicians are here, including Pharoah Sanders on tenor sax.

Ornette Coleman - Free Jazz

Free Jazz

Ornette Coleman's 1961 album of free jazz is one of the best. Many instruments play at the same time; drums, double bass, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, with "Free Jazz" lasting almost 40 minutes. Solos are also here, with many musicians, including Ornette Coleman on alto saxophone.

Art Blakey - Free for All

Free for All

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers 1964 Free for All, is a highly energetic album of of hard bop, with great playing by all musicians. The album has "Free for All", "Hammer Head", "The Core", and "Pensativa". Art Blakey - drums, Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone, Freddie Hubbard - trumpet, Curtis Fuller - trombone, Cedar Walton - piano, and Reggie Workman - bass. I also like his Orgy in Rhythm, Moanin', and Indestructible albums.

Art Blakey - Indestructible

Indestructible

This 1964 jazz album by drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers is one of my favorites. It has great playing by all musicians. The album has "The Egyptian", "Sortie", "Calling Miss Khadija", "When Love is New", "Mr. Jin", and "It's a Long Way Down". Lee Morgan - trumpet, Curtis Fuller - trombone, Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone, Cedar Walton - piano, Reggie Workman - bass, and Art Blakey - drums. I also like his Orgy in Rhythm, Moanin', and Free for All albums.

Art Blakey - Moanin'

Moanin'

This 1959 album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers is one of his best. One of my favorites is "The Drum Thunder Suite". The album also has "Moanin'", "Are You Real?", "Along Came Betty", "Blues March", and "Come Rain or Come Shine". Lee Morgan - trumpet, Benny Golson - tenor saxophone, Bobby Timmons - piano, Jymie Merritt - bass, and Art Blakey - drums. Moanin' is one of the best 50s hard bop albums. I also like his Orgy in Rhythm, Free for All, and Indestructible albums.

Art Blakey - Orgy in Rhythm

Orgy in Rhythm

Art Blakey's 1957 Orgy in Rhythm, is a very different sounding jazz album. It is played with mostly percussion instruments; like the drums and timpani. Other instruments like the flute are also here. The album has "Buhaina Chant", "Ya Ya", "Toffi", "Split Skins", "Amuck", "Elephant Walk", "Come Out and Meet Me Tonight", and "Abdallah's Delight". The album has many musicians, including Art Blakey on drums. I also like his Moanin', Free for All, and Indestructible albums.

Frank Sinatra - Nothing but the Best

Nothing but the Best

Frank Sinatra is one of my favorite singers, along with Dean Martin. His songs are still very popular even today. This album is a great collection of his songs from the 50s to the 80s, with many from the 60s. Some of my favorites are "My Way", "Strangers in the Night", "Come Fly with Me", "The Best Is Yet to Come", "Luck Be a Lady", "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", "The Girl from Ipanema", "My Kind of Town", "Theme from New York, New York", and "Fly Me to the Moon".

Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus

Saxophone Colossus

Sonny Rollins' Saxophone Colossus is one of the best 50s jazz albums. "St. Thomas" is easily recognizable and very popular. "You Don't Know What Love Is", "Strode Rode", "Moritat", and "Blue 7" make up the rest of the album. Sonny Rollins - tenor saxophone, Tommy Flanagan - piano, Doug Watkins - bass , and Max Roach - drums.

Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um

Mingus Ah Um

My favorite Charles Mingus album, Mingus Ah Um is from 1959. It is one of the best jazz albums of all time. The album is mostly hard bop and avant-garde jazz. All the musicians sound good together. "Fables of Faubus" is one of my favorites. Charles Mingus plays the bass and also the piano on "Pedal Point Blues".

Ella Fitzgerald - The Best of the Song Books

The Best of the Song Books

Ella Fitzgerald was one of the best jazz vocalists ever. This great collection of her songs is from the 50s and 60s. Some of my favorites are "Something's Gotta Give", "The Lady Is a Tramp", "Love for Sale", "Midnight Sun", and "Hooray for Love".

Ultimate Tony Bennett

Ultimate Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett has many popular songs from the 50s and 60s, in the genre of pop and jazz. "Because of You" and "Rags to Riches" are some of my favorite 50s songs. "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "The Best Is Yet to Come" are some of my favorite 60s songs.

The Very Best of Big Joe Turner

The Very Best of Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner is a 50s blues shouter. His most known song is my favorite one, "Shake, Rattle and Roll". Others I like are "Honey Hush", "TV Mam", "Oke-She-Moke-She-Pop", "Well All Right", "Flip Flop and Fly", "Hide and Seek", "Midnight Cannonball", "The Chicken and the Hawk (Up, up and Away)", "Boogie Woogie Country Girl", and "Midnight Special Train".

Bobby Darin - The Hit Singles Collection

The Hit Singles Collection

This is a big collection of Bobby Darin's 50s and many 60s songs. "Mack the Knife", "Queen of the Hop", and "Splish Splash", are my favorite 50s songs. Some other songs I like are "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", "Early in the Morning", "Plain Jane", "Beyond the Sea", "Lazy River", "18 Yellow Roses", and "Lovin' You".

Diz N Bird at Carnegie Hall

Diz N Bird at Carnegie Hall

This is a live album of bebop jazz from 1947 at Carnegie Hall with some of my favorite jazz artists; Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. All the songs are lively. Some of my favorites are "Dizzy Atmosphere", "Relaxin' at Camarillo", "Cubano-Be, Cubano-Bop", "One Bass Hit", and "Salt Peanuts". I also like Dizzy Gillespie's Complete RCA Victor Recordings 1947-1949 album.

Dizzy Gillespie - Complete RCA Victor Recordings 1947-1949

Complete RCA Victor Recordings 1947-1949

Dizzy Gillespie was a great jazz trumpeter, scat singer, and bandleader. This is a big collection of many of his bebop jazz and scat songs. Some highlights on here are "Manteca", "Anthropology", "Two Bass Hit", "Night in Tunisia", "Cool Breeze", "Ool-Ya-Koo", "Jump Did-Le Ba", "I'm Beboppin' Too", and more great 40s jazz music. I also like Diz N Bird at Carnegie Hall.

Dino: The Essential Dean Martin

Dino: The Essential Dean Martin

Dean Martin is one of my favorite singers, along with Frank Sinatra. This collection has many of his hits from the 40s to the 60s. Some of my favorite songs are "Powder Your Face with Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!)", "Mambo Italiano", "Memories Are Made of This", "Sway", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "Someone There's a Someone", and "The Door Is Still Open to My Heart".

Trumpet Blues: The Best of Harry James

Trumpet Blues: The Best of Harry James

Bandledaer Harry James was known for his trumpet skills. This collection has many of his songs from the 30s and 40s. Some of my favorites are "Trumpet Blues and Cantabile", "Barn 12", "I've Heard That Song Before", "Blues on a Count", "Been a Long, Long Time", and "Ciribiribin".

Bing Crosby - Definitive Collection

Definitive Collection

This collection has many of Bing Crosby's songs from the 20s to the 50s. A good 20s song is "Ol' Man River". Songs from the 30s I like are "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)", "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", and "Home On the Range. The 40s songs "White Christmas", "Sunday, Monday or Always", "Swinging on a Star", and "It's Been a Long, Long Time".

40's Hits: Great Records of the Decade Vol. 1

40's Hits: Great Records of the Decade Vol. 1

This album has many good 40s songs by various artists. Some of my favorites are "On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe" by Johnny Mercer, "The Trolley Song" by Judy Garland, "Personality" by Johnny Mercer, "Rum and Coca Cola" by the Andrews Sisters, and "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting.

The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need

The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need

This is a nice collection of big band, swing, songs from the 30s and 40s. Some highlights are "Take the "A" Train", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "Begin the Beguine, "In the Mood", "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "Cherokee", "(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo", "I'm in the Mood for Love", "Frenesi", and "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) (Parts 1 & 2)".

The Essential Benny Goodman

The Essential Benny Goodman

Bandleader Benny Goodman was known as the "King of Swing". This big collection has many of his songs from the 30s and 40s. Some of my favorites are "Let's Dance", "Bugle Call Rag", "Sing, Sing, Sing", "There's a Small Hotel" (with Helen Ward), "This Can't Be Love" (with Martha Tilton), "Roll 'Em", and "Stealin' Apples". Their are many more swing jazz songs of his here. I also like Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman - Complete Recordings 1941-1947.

Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman - Complete Recordings 1941-1947

Complete Recordings 1941-1947

This collection has many early 40s songs by Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman. Some of my favorites are "Elmer's Tune", "My Old Flame", "How Long Has This Been Going On?", "That Did It, Marie", "Blues in the Night", "I Threw A Kiss in the Ocean", and "For Every Man There's a Woman". Many more songs are here. I also like The Best of Miss Peggy Lee and The Essential Benny Goodman.

The Best of Miss Peggy Lee

The Best of Miss Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee is a jazz style singer from the 40s. This collection has her songs from the 40s to the 60s. Many of them are 40s songs. My favorite is the 50s song "Fever". The 40s songs I like are "I Don't Know Enough About You", "It's a Good Day", "Chi-baba, Chi-baba (My Bambino, Go to Sleep)", "Golden Earrings", "Why Don't You Do Right?", "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)", and "Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)". The 50s song "Alright, Okay, You Win". The 60s songs "I'm a Woman", and "Big Spender". I also like Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman - Complete Recordings 1941-1947.

The Andrews Sisters 50th Anniversary Collection

The Andrews Sisters 50th Anniversary Collection

The Andrews Sisters had many hit songs in the 30s and 40s. This collection has many of their hits. My favorite songs are "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", "Rum And Coca-Cola", and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)". "I Can Dream, Can't I?" and "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" are more good songs.

Tommy Dorsey - Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

This is a nice collection of bandleader Tommy Dorsey songs from the 30s and 40s. Some of my favorites are "The Music Goes 'Round and Around", "Opus One", "I'm Getting Sentimental over You", and "I'm in the Mood for Love".