Could Anyone Recommend Some Good Jazz/Swing Albums?

[Nick Parker 3,017]

There are so many Jazz albums, I do not know which ones to purchase. Also, since Jazz is a very broad term, I do not know which artists play what type. I know that I like the Jazz music in The Corpse Bride, and I also like Cab Calloway. Does anyone know of other Jazz musicians in that style?

[Henry B 49]

The source music from The Clone Wars is all you need!

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Do not even start.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I'm not big on jazz, but Miles Davis is great.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

I was thinking of a more "Swing" style, and perhaps with heavy use of the piano. I do not like that kind of Jazz (Miles Davis).

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Maybe you'd like Ray Charles.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

I am listening to him right now ("Hit the Road, Jack!"). I like him. What Disc album contains a good representation of his music?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I'm not sure, most likely a greatest hits compilation.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Probably. Any other musicians you can name?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Wynton Marsalis, but I think he's more like Miles Davis-type of jazz.

Early John Williams scores are great if you like jazz.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

Great modern, but old-fashioned big band swing-type stuff was done by the Squirrel Nut Zippers, I recommend the album Perennial Favourites. For some "authentic" jazzy stuff with a slightly classical side, Rattle's Jazz Album is good (including the excellent original version of Rhapsody in Blue). And I think this is a good place to also mention Quincy Jones' Big Band Bossa Nova, an outstanding album with Lalo Schifrin on the piano (the first track most people nowadays will know from the Austin Powers movies).

Oh, and a recording of Sing, Sing, Sing is mandatory. I only have the one from the Swing Kids soundtrack.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Early John Williams scores are great if you like jazz.

And how many kittens would I have to sell to afford those?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Not With My Wife, You Don't! is only $13 brand new from Amazon.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Is there any way to listen to samples?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

http://www.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm?ID=5266

Go to the John Williams page to see all his other scores and to listen to samples.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Is does not sound too bad. I may consider purchasing it. Are there any other Jazz musicians in the vein of Danny Elfman's music for The Corpse Bride?

[Bryant Burnette 451]

I'm not any manner of expert on the swing sub-genre, but I believe that Harry Connick, Jr. has done some good work in that type of music. He might be worth looking into.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

I'm not any manner of expert on the swing sub-genre, but I believe that Harry Connick, Jr. has done some good work in that type of music. He might be worth looking into.

After listening to Mr. Connick's music, I can say one thing: NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

[indy4 152]

Oh, and a recording of Sing, Sing, Sing is mandatory. I only have the one from the Swing Kids soundtrack.

I'll second this. A great piece (though I actually like "Swing, Swing, Swing" more).

[QMM 4]

With Corpse Bride I assume you're talking about Remains of the Day? That style is more a blend with New Orleans big band and a bit of funk. There's a lot of great music/bands that you can try out for that- Brotherhood of Groove, Youngblood Brass Band (although their new stuff isn't so good), Epistrophy, New Orleans Nightcrawlers and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band which is the best of the bunch.

And if you want another New Orleans flavored soundtrack, Voodoo Vince is quite good.

As for Jazz in general, you can't go wrong with the classics. Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Buddy Rich (Big Swing Face Live 1967 is a GREAT album), Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller are all phenominal. It's hard to narrow it down even this much since there's so much great stuff out there.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

With Corpse Bride I assume you're talking about Remains of the Day? That style is more a blend with New Orleans big band and a bit of funk. There's a lot of great music/bands that you can try out for that- Brotherhood of Groove, Youngblood Brass Band (although their new stuff isn't so good), Epistrophy, New Orleans Nightcrawlers and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band which is the best of the bunch.

And if you want another New Orleans flavored soundtrack, Voodoo Vince is quite good.

As for Jazz in general, you can't go wrong with the classics. Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Buddy Rich (Big Swing Face Live 1967 is a GREAT album), Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller are all phenominal. It's hard to narrow it down even this much since there's so much great stuff out there.

Actually, I was thinking of the bonus tracks found in the album.

Also, when you write "Voodoo Vince", are you referring to the video game?

[QMM 4]

Haven't heard the bonus tracks and yes, I was referring to the video game

[Nick Parker 3,017]

I recommend listening to them, they really are excellent examples of what I think Jazz music should sound like.

[QMM 4]

Sounds good. You should also pick up the soundtrack to Grim Fandango

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

Ooh, Grim Fandango!

[Nick Parker 3,017]

They sell the album for that game?

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

They did, through their website. It's been unavailable there for years though.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Who was the composer? Clint Bakajan (is that correct?)?Did that man compose the music for Monkey Island games, as well?

[QMM 4]

Peter McConell

[Nick Parker 3,017]

I see you are listening to bonus tracks in The Corpse Bride. I personally prefer the Band Version more, but the piece is great, nonetheless.

[Joe Brausam 203]

Try Dave Brubeck's album Time Out, it has his piece "Blue Rondo A La Turk" on it, a great piece on a great album!

[MSM 85]

Check out the swinging boogie-woogie in Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Opus 111 by Beethoven, 3rd movement.

[Greg1138 2]

Get hold of "The Complete Atomic Basie" by Mr Basie and his orchestra (an expanded re-issue of a much earlier album and probably the definitive Swing Band of all time), Harry Connick Jr's "We Are In Love" album (and "She" if you're in the mood for some New Orleans funk), "Sinatra at the Sands" (which is a much better album than it sounds), and any 40's complilation that features bands like the Glenn Miller Orchestra (still unsurpassed), The Andrews Sisters, Harry James, Benny Goodman et al.....

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Get hold of "The Complete Atomic Basie" by Mr Basie and his orchestra (an expanded re-issue of a much earlier album and probably the definitive Swing Band of all time), Harry Connick Jr's "We Are In Love" album (and "She" if you're in the mood for some New Orleans funk), "Sinatra at the Sands" (which is a much better album than it sounds), and any 40's complilation that features bands like the Glenn Miller Orchestra (still unsurpassed), The Andrews Sisters, Harry James, Benny Goodman et al.....

I just fell in love with Count Basie. The only parts of his music that I do not like are the trumpet solos: I cannot stand long, improvised trumpet solos in Jazz.

[Greg1138 2]

The album I mentioned tends not to go too far with the solos, but the ones that ARE on there are largely of the quality that should really be studied - they are astonishingly good....

[Joe Brausam 203]

Solos and improvisation are the roots of jazz, its backbone. A lot of the best jazz is improvised rather than straight forward and written.

[MSM 85]

Solos and improvisation are the roots of jazz, its backbone. A lot of the best jazz is improvised rather than straight forward and written.

Still, I wonder why there cannot be more thematics, especially in the solos. It's almost like they are trying to avoid to play a theme.

[Sixers 0]

Try Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds.

[mapsljp88 0]

For those that might be interested in a sort of integration of jazz and classical music, definitely check out stan getz's album Focus. It features a string section and some really great string arrangements. Another one to check out is Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra.

Some Other Albums to consider (Mostly Classics):

Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, Round About Midnight, In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew - Miles Davis (Of Course)

Quintessence - Quincy Jones

Consummation - Thad Jones & Mel Lewis

Love Supreme, Blue Train - John Coltrane

Koln Concert - Keith Jarrett

Three Suites (Nutcracker, Peer Gynt, Suite Thursday) - Duke Ellington

Jazz In Film - Terence Blanchard

Moanin' - Art Blakey

Somethin' Else - Cannonball Adderley (w/ Miles Davis)

Time Out - Dave Brubeck

...and there are many more. I'm a jazz major btw so I know quite a bit about this stuff.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Do you know of any good "Fats" Waller albums?

[Maglorfin 195]

If you're into swinging, I'd certainly recommend some great big band stuff. Check out CDs which include Dave Grusin, Bob Mintzer and/or Michael Abene as collaborators, some of which are:

- GRP All-Star Big Band - 10th Anniversary (a great album that made me a jazz addict all those years ago )

- GRP All-Star Big Band - All Blues

- Dave Grusin Presents West Side Story (some of the greatest big band swinging and grooving ever)

- Two For the Road: The Music of Henry Mancini (also by Dave Grusin)

You can't miss with any of these, I guarantee it.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

Big band? I repeat, Big Band Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones and Perennial Favourites by The Squirrel Nut Zippers.

[Maglorfin 195]

Also, Zoot Suit Riot by Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Rude Jake by Big Rude Jake.