Hi Jazz lovers,
I’m pretty new to the world of jazz and could use some guidance. My musical background is mostly blues and rock, but I’ve noticed that certain jazz styles really appeal to me — for example, I absolutely love the jazz‑influenced work by Prince.
Do you have any recommendations for artists, albums, or styles that would be a good entry point for someone coming from blues and rock? I’m really curious to hear your suggestions and experiences.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Try GO GO PENGUIN.
Here’s a few: Portico Quartet, Stuart McCallum, Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Snarky Puppy, The Cinematic Orchestra…
Pat Metheny’s early ECM albums. Lee Ritenour is a Jazz Rock that might appeal to you. Or some pure Jazz with Miles Davis, with Your Under Arrest or Sketches of Spain. Maybe Coltrane with Love Supreme.
Jazz is a broad church. Check out the artists from the North Sea Jazz Festival over the years. Toto for example use a bunch of Jazz structures (and played at NSJ).
Dave Brubeck - on 60s era vinyl is fabulous. Oscar Peterson Paris concert.
Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling and Curtis Stigers for accessible vocal Jazz. Elling’s The Questions is a fab record.
Certified head banger here but listen to tons of Jazz 
I don’t know a lot of Jazz but if you like prog rock then Soft Machine are a good crossover
Try Ian Carr’s Nucleus - Roots album.
Jazz Funk it’s got to be Shakatak.
Jazz Fusion it’s Spyro Gyra.
I’m a big fan of Jazz fusion… the first album that comes to mind both with jazz and blues influences is this and it’s marvellous for me: Lee Ritenour - 6 string theory
I’d also mention other arists such as John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Blicher Hemmer Gadd trio, Simon Oslender, Gerald Albright, Brian Bromberg, ec. These are all fusion by the way.
There is so much. Try Ulf Wakenius, perhaps starting with the track “Momento Magico”. I would certainly recommend Esbjorn SvenssonTrio. Also give Dhafer Youssef a go: the album Izmir concert (live 2013) is an excellent starting point for this artist. I would also point you in the direction of Renaud Garcia-Fons, for which I would suggest the live album “Arcoluz” (if you only listen to one track, try “Berimbass”). These suggestions are only a small sample of the stuff that I have found and have fallen for, perhaps not the sort of Jazz that you were expecting when you asked your question. If none of this works for you, and you want something closer to your blues and rock tastes “Bozzio Levin Stevens” (you may already be familiar with the outfit) could be up your street.
Just wanted to give everyone a quick update — I’ve received a bunch of great recommendations, and I managed to track down several of the suggested CDs.
I’m going to dive in and start listening.
Thanks so much for all the tips and enthusiasm. Really appreciate it!
Ron
There’s a large range of choices. A few suggestions:
(The title track is much more jazz than blues rock.)
Brad Mehldau does his interpretations of various rock songs (particularly Beatles and Radiohead). These tend to individual tracks on more varied albums (the other tracks are also great). For example, check out:
Aaron Park is a magnificent jazz pianist. He also has a more rock influenced quartet:
Have fun!
The first artist I thought of was Art Blakey. He has a large catalogue, but of the albums I know, I’d suggest this one.
If the sound of the vibraphone appeals to you (as it does to me) then you need to check out Milt Jackson, either as part of the Modern Jazz Quartet (e.g. Blues on Bach) or on his own.
Edit - Now listening to Modern Jazz Quartet’s “Blues at Carnegie Hall,” which I last heard in college 50 years ago, where my roommate had a copy. According to the liner notes, all of the tracks are blues based.
Ian Carr Belladonna is a great album too.
“Midnight Blue” by Kenny Burrell would also be a great album.
Also “The Sidewinder” - at least the first two tracks.
How about Cassandra Wilson. This Jazz singer has made some brilliant albums that dance along the Pop, Blues, and Jazz genres.
Where to start but Lee Morgan was a fantastic trumpeter, and just listen to Art Blakey’s drumming on this, is amazing.
Totally agree regarding Ian Carr & Belladonna.
