Just beginning to explore jazz

[goth metal raver]

I'm only just starting to explore jazz - and I'm still trying to find out which stuff I'll really like.

I know I like fast, exciting jazz like Dizzy Gillespie does. But I don't like avant-garde stuff like John Coltrane - it just sounds like noise to me.

I found Miles Davis Kind of Blue a bit boring. But I did like Blue in Green and I like some Dave Brubeck so I know I can like soft, mellow jazz. But it's hard to know what mellow jazz I'll really like and what stuff will just bore me.

The harder stuff is more of a safe bet with me but it has to have structure. I can't listen to totally 'free' stuff like Coltrane. It's just random noise to me.

As for older stuff. i like some of Louis Armstrong but it does sound a bit dated.

What I'm wondering is whether anyone can recommend what other jazz I might like?

[bryce]

Goth Metal Raver,

have you looked into some older swing stuff? some things i've enjoyed (even though i favor the hard rock genre as you do or at least i think because of your name) are stuff by stan kenton orchestra stuff, louis prima (does sing sing sing in the old ritz cracker commercial, see arranged by mike lewis), pat metheny, arthur feilds-george gaff, chicago, earth wind and fire,stanly turrentine, tom davis, don menza, and a couple others. there are alot of cool old blues, swing, jazz, and funk peices. btw... if you like funk check out casey and the sunshine band, wild cherry, and james brown!!

[trbc08]

I can understand disliking free jazz. I think it's a sort of acquired taste. I really enjoy Peter Brotzmann, Ornette Coleman, 'Trane, etc. Something more traditional that I'd recommend is Duke Ellington's "Indigos." It's the only Ellington album that I have, but it's beautiful. If you like Dizzy Gillespie, you may like Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. They were all of that sort of "bebop" sound, though obviously because Parker is a sax player and Monk is a pianist the melodic focus is more on their particular instrument.

[goth metal raver]

Thanks both of you.

Yes, I think I'd like Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. I've thought before about checking them out.

[bryce]

i talked to a friend and found a couple of bands that would be great transitions for rock to jazz. like a hard core rock jazz, and i don't mean swung rock, i mean the instruments scream like the guitars and everything seems very metalish.

--look up critters buggin, naked city, and secret chiefs III.

[trbc08]

Naked City is a very cool band, but definitely not for everyone.

[Iota]

i talked to a friend and found a couple of bands that would be great transitions for rock to jazz. like a hard core rock jazz, and i don't mean swung rock, i mean the instruments scream like the guitars and everything seems very metalish.

--look up critters buggin, naked city, and secret chiefs III.

Listen to Zu.