Help with jazz recommendations?

[gravy boat]

J.J. Johnson-led albums are very accessible and got me digging deeper into jazz. I would try albums "J.J. Inc." or the "Eminent Jay Jay Johnson." 

[KickTheBobo]

Start with the classics: Kind of Blue, Mingus Ah Um, A Love Supreme/ Giant Steps, Brubeck's Time Out.

seconding Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder. Absolutely killer album.

I think the best way to start listening to jazz is to put some on as incidental music. Just throw a cd on when you are driving or reading, and don't really give it your full attention like you would music with standard lyrical content.

fwiw: my fav jazz tune thus far. a real dirge.

Siri, play some Coltrane.

John Coltrane Quartet- Afro Blue

[cavorting with nudists]

Brubeck! What are you, racist??

[fonpr]

Brubeck! What are you, racist??

Stan Getz.

[Christina]

Hot 5s!

Also Hot 7s!

[ChipSuey]

I didn't see any recommendations for the Modern Jazz Quartet, but I always considered them to be a very approachable, easy to listen to, yet very forward thinking group. 

[Hugman 3.0]

I didn't see any recommendations for the Modern Jazz Quartet, but I always considered them to be a very approachable, easy to listen to, yet very forward thinking group.

I agree. Good incidental music to put on in the background of social get-togethers at the house.

[hardweek]

This album is pure torture for some, but I would put in my top 25 of all time, any genre:

[fonpr]

This album is pure torture for some, but I would put in my top 25 of all time, any genre:

Agreed.

Probably not for someone just getting started.

Monk with Coltrane on Riverside.  Many (Monk) standards and not too outside.

[Chris L]

If you end up liking Miles Davis you should check out a few of his disciples.

[fonpr]

If you end up liking Miles Davis you should check out a few of his disciples.

You mean like Eddie Henderson, Mr. L? 

If so I agree.  Realization in particular it's very similar to Bitch's-era Miles but no guitars and a stronger adherence to compositional form. 

And it features Bennie Maupin.

[B_Buster]

I've found the Penguin Guide to Jazz to be very helpful over the years. Here's a list of their highest rated albums:

http://www.tomhull.com/ocston/nm/notes/pjazz-crown.php

Click on the Core Collection for more recommendations.

The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz was a good starting place for me as well. I understand a revised edition came out recently to mixed reviews. I've got the original on vinyl and the slightly revised version on cd from 1987.

[cavorting with nudists]

This won't do my street cred or anti-racist credentials much good, and it's not really addressed to the OP since their music can be abstract and harsh at times, but anyone else here like these guys?

"Big Heart" Music Video by John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards

John Lurie didn't do his band's rep for seriousness any favors when he called their music "fake jazz," but in practice I think they made the real thing, and you have to admit this is an awesome video.

[roubaix]

I didn't see any recommendations for the Modern Jazz Quartet, but I always considered them to be a very approachable, easy to listen to, yet very forward thinking group.

That's a pretty good assessment

I'd like to post more than a few tracks but there's really not room ...

DON RENDELL AND IAN CARR-BLUE MOSQUE
Jerzy Milian Trio, Tempus Jazz 67, Baazaar LP, 1969 - polish jazz
Alice Coltrane "Blue Nile" (1970)

[fonpr]

I think they made the real thing, and you have to admit this is an awesome video.

Yes!