An Introduction to Jazz

Jazz is a bit of an acquired taste. Though we had a lot of music in my home growing up jazz wasn't part of the menu and not until later did I get enough of a sampling to figure out that I really liked it. If you want to prolong the rather trite food metaphor jazz is like a salad--so many components working together in different ways to create a pleasing whole with a sassy sauce mixed throughout that binds it all together.

So . . . if you've never tried jazz before here's an introduction to some artists that will give you a good start in deciding what you might like. If you're already a fan maybe you'll enjoy hearing some of my favorites.

1. Louis Armstrong. We'll start with Satchmo, who's like the Babe Ruth of Jazz. Besides his skill on the trumpet Armstrong's vocals really paved the way for future musicians' to use their voices in creative ways (have you ever heard him scat?) I know his "What a Wonderful World" has been played into the ground and remade repeatedly--second only to John Lenon's "Imagine" probably--but I never much cared for it. It seems a bit maudlin to me. No, some of my favorites are "Stardust," "Just One of Those Things," and "The Dummy Song" which really highlight his virtuosity with the trumpet.

2. Charlie Parker. His forte was the saxophone--in fact he's probably the greatest saxophonist ever even despite his drug addictions which contributed to his early death. Try "April in Paris" or "Ornithology" (his nickname was Bird and the famous song "Lullaby of Birdland" was written for him). And if none of this means anything maybe you remember Zoot on the Muppet Show saying, "Forgive me Charlie Parker, where ever you are!"

3. Billie Holliday. I can't go much farther without mentioning Lady Day--and her voice is so distinctive even if you've never been one for jazz you'd probably recognize her voice from various places. She had a tough time of it but oh, that voice! Good luck singing along with her because she does things you just can't keep up with, it's like she's avoiding the melody or something because the notes she produces no one else can--in a good way. My favorites of hers are "The Very Thought of You," "You Go to My Head," and "A Fine Romance."

4. Sarah Vaughn. I might as well stick with the ladies for a bit. Surely you've heard Sarah Vaughn's version of "Lullaby of Birdland"? She invented sultry. Her career lasted long into the 70s though you really ought to hear "I've Got a Crush on You" and "Body and Soul."

5. Duke Ellington. So many of these jazz greats worked together and formed various groups here and there together and it seems like they all found Duke Ellington and his band at some point. Big Band jazz is so different from Dixie is so different from modern jazz they're hard to compare but I like his "Diminuendo in Blue" for it's snappy syncopation and there's always his big 30s hits like "Take the A Train," "It Don't Mean a Thing," or "Mood Indigo."

6. Dinah Washington. Another jazzy lady, one who's earned the official title "Queen of Blues" and had a large influence on the Great Aretha. Her famous "What a Difference a Day Makes" is lovely and "Cold, Cold Heart" is better than the original Hank Williams single. If you've only heard Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" you should hear Dinah's version. And that figure of hers--it's something, no?

7. Dizzie Gillespie. Another great trumpet player and a buddy to Charlie Parker and his famous quartet. Of course he was also a band leader and composer who churned out such great tunes as "Woody 'n You" and "Night in Tunisia." They pretty much invented beebop. And huge cheeks, he invented those too--trumpet cheeks of monster proportions.

8. Stan Getz. Here's a different flavor of jazz for you--they called him "The Sound" because he was so smooth on his sax. I know it's nearly a cliche but I still love his "Girl from Ipanema," probably because it reminds me of Breakfast at Tiffany's and Audrey Hepburn for some strange reason (it's not in the movie or anything, I'm well aware, it just mentally fits).

9. Miles Davis. Lots of sax, lots of sax. I guess that means I'm rather partial to those nice mellow tones and Davis is the one to listen to if that's what you like. He's rather odd looking (you may want to listen with your eyes closed) kind of a Sammy Davis Jr. with big buggy glasses and medusa hair--at least in his later years. He did a lot with fusing rock and jazz and worked well into the 80s. Favorite of his? "It Never Entered My Mind." Hands down.

10. Count Basie. Another great band leader and composer with another great version of "April in Paris," probably my favorite version.

11. Nina Simone. She wasn't just an amazing classically-trained pianist she was also a civil rights activist and composer and . . . and . . . and she's my favorite. I love her meld of classical and jazz and I can listen to "Love Me or Leave Me" over and over again until it's worn out on the ipod. Just check out those piano improvisations. "Sinner Man" is also a favorite that you might like.

12. Ella. No last name necessary--if you haven't at least heard of Ms. Fitzgerald I don't know that I can offer much help to you. That clear, lilting voice, that melodic drama--ah, great, just great. I have a hard time picking just one or two of my favorites from her prolific career but I'm especially partial to her versions of Cole Porter's work. "Someone to Watch Over Me" has been sung by so many but she does it the very best of the best. "Everything I've Got" is also terrific, love the lyrics.

13. Norah Jones. I'm going to include this as one of the more recent additions to my jazz favorites--and though she's called "adult contemporary" Norah still sings jazz at times. That's probably the greatest thing about the genre, it takes in so many forms that the boundaries are a little hazy--she kind of does a country-jazz blend. She does covers of Hoagie Carmichael ("The Nearness of You") and he's as jazz as they come. So there.

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