If you had to make a list of the best jazz albums of all time, which artists would make the cut? Jazz isn’t necessarily the most popular style of music amongst the younger generations, but what would it take to convince a non-fan that the genre’s legends are supreme musicians whom you should give the time of day? Well, for starters, you can do no harm with reaching into the classics box and finding the biggest names in the industry. While in some genres, like rock or punk, it might make more sense to classify albums and bands according to their era, things in the jazz world work a little different. What sets an album apart is its melodic composition and rhythmic intention, differentiating a Miles Davis from a Duke Ellington, for example.
Great musicians, like the 9 most famous drummers of all time, which we compiled in a previous article, deserve recognition. In fact, some of the most famous music legends in the world developed their craft at the hand of jazz, so don’t be surprised if you recognize a name or two on this list. So, let’s take a look at the five best jazz albums of all time and why they stand out.
5. The Thelonious Monk Quartet – Monk’s Dream (1963)
To an untrained ear or someone unfamiliar with jazz dynamics, this album may be hard to digest at first. But after a second or third listen to this record, even the newest fan will likely appreciate the Monk’s extraordinary composition. A piano master with a knack for undiscovered notes, Thelonious manages to shake you awake with his odd soundscape.
4. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Ella and Louis (1956)
There’s no denying that Ella Fitzgerald’s voice can effortlessly transport you to a different time and place, with her sulky sound and beautiful vibrato. But add Louis Armstrong’s raspy tone and his trumpet solos to the mix, and out comes an unforgettable album for any rainy day or Sunday dinner. Romantic and dreamy to the core, be sure to add this one to your latest jazz collection.
3. The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Time Out (1959)
Although it’s swinging vibe and unconventional timing made it an artsy and new record at the moment of its release, flooding the homes of New York City’s most sophisticated crowd, it’s now considered almost traditional. In fact, this album’s songs have been sampled in movies and TV shows regularly, so some people associate jazz with this type of melody and beat (in spit there being much more to the genre). Nonetheless, it’s still one of the best jazz albums of all time.
2. Charles Mingus – Ah Um (1959)
Charles Mingus might have been a mad man with a mean temper, but he’s also a magnificent composer with a fine-tuned ear that knows how a jazz song needs to sound. Although the bass master released several incredible albums, this one solidified his status as a legendary artist with its gospel and blues influences. However, this record does require a certain state of awareness, in order to fully enjoy the tempo changes and harmonies.
1. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)
1959 was definitely a year of big developments in the jazz world, given the amount of amazing albums released. And Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue was part of the hype, for good reason: this album may very well be the only one you’ll need to show your friend before convincing him that jazz is music of the heart. With a very bluesy feel to it and featuring other legends like John Coltrane, Jimmy Cobb, and Paul Chambers, this record is without a doubt one of the best jazz albums of all time.
