Jazz has a fascinating backstory. But you don’t need to know all the history or context to feel that it’s trendy, hip and cool. If you’re into jazz, we’ve got lots of resources to help you get in the mood. For example, check out our list of beginner-friendly albums over here.
If you search for “beginner jazz albums” or any such term on Google, it will probably provide lots of lists of albums that might suit your needs. Although these lists have a lot of excellent recommendations, some of the items might be too difficult for beginners. A lot of them are more technical or artistic than they are accessible.
Top Jazz Albums for Beginners Review
Everyone has their own tastes, but I wanted to share with you what I think are some excellent albums for beginners. These are all easy-to-listen-to jazz albums that are guaranteed to be loved by someone who loves pop music.
Check these out if you’ve never listened to jazz music before and want a band to start with.
1. Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
I’m starting at the very beginning with Kind of Blue, one of the most famous and popular jazz albums ever. It’s great for beginners because it has lively music that also stays grounded in tradition. This album is very easy to listen to. I like that I can hit play and enjoy it start-to-finish!
Jazz records are usually very challenging and can be hard to understand at first. Kind of Blue may not be complex, but it’s super easy to listen to. You’ll find it tough to believe that these songs are incredible – even if you’ve never heard them before or don’t know much about jazz. This video will give you an idea of the album Kind of Blue.
2. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
Thanks to my beautiful wife, this Duke Ellington and John Coltrane was one of the first jazz albums that I got. This and Kind of Blue were gifts from my wife at Christmas time. It sounds like my girlfriend was disappointed to hear me say I would start collecting jazz records but we never made any progress.
This album has seven tracks and I own the vinyl version of it (you can get it on CD for pretty cheap). While I like every song, my favorite is Stevie that really grabbed me and made me think that starting to get into jazz music was the right call. This is one of my favorites and has been played a ton in my house.
3. Golden Hits by Sarah Vaughan
I was told by my grandad that I should take a look at this. Golden Hits by Sarah Vaughan is one of the best jazz albums for beginners. I was surprised at how open-minded I was when it came to jazz. Her vocals just ooze their way down your spine and I’d love to share them with you!
One of the best things about Broken Hearted Melody is that the music feels like it takes over your mind. This music video will give you a good example of what it’s like 🙂
4. Ellington At Newport by Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington is my favorite jazz artist and I love his album “Ellington At Newport.” I recommend that you get the remastered version, which is like a two-disc set. This is the best version of this video that we could find. The original recording was a little messed up, but overall it’s not too bad.
The live album is also available on here so you’re getting the best of both worlds. The sound and quality of music on this album are really something special. I personally own the CD, but it can be pricey. It’s something I’m itching to buy but is likely to be out of my budget for a while yet.
5. Ella & Louis Again by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald
I actually bought my first jazz album in high school – to tell the truth I don’t remember exactly which one it was. I was just looking for some Louis Armstrong at a music store and I came across this. Even though I had no idea what it was, I bought it because of the name. As it turns out, I still don’t really know what this is but in my very little jazz collection room, this counts as one piece.
Armstrong, when I heard Ella Fitzgerald’s vocals for the first time, I totally loved them. I know this might not be the best album they made together, but it’s my favorite so I had to include it on the list of the best jazz albums for beginners. Trust me, don’t read anymore about this- just go and buy it and give it a listen. I promise you’ll be absolutely blown away.
Jazz Compilations
Even if you’re new to listening to jazz and haven’t heard albums like The Velvet Underground’s self-titled LP before, then I encourage you to check out my suggestions for albums that I think are amazingly good. I think these platforms can be a great way to explore different styles of jazz and choose the one that suits you best.
6. 100 Best Jazz Tunes of the 1950s
This album is amazing, and with 100 tracks on it, you’re getting some of the best jazz tunes from the 1950s. To give you an idea of who we have available, try listening to Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Ray Charles. This is a set of 8 CDs and they each have some big names associated with jazz. They’re a great way to discover whether you’ll like jazz, so pick up one!
7. Jazz Giants
Next up we have Jazz Giants which you can get for just 10 bucks on CD! This is a 3CD set and it features some great jazz performers such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and so many more. Scrapple from the Apple turned me into a fan of Parker.
It’s a pretty basic album, but it’s good for people who are new to jazz, or might not be into more ‘difficult’ types of music. Yep, you can get a feel of what jazz is all about from this site.
Conclusion
Here are just a couple of the amazing jazz albums that are out there and all deserve to be on this list of best jazz albums for beginners. Jazz is a type of music I really enjoy when I’m in the mood to just kick back and chill out.
FAQ for Best Jazz Albums for Beginners
What are the best jazz albums for beginners?
There are many jazz albums for beginners, but these are some of the best.
- Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
- John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
- Billie Holiday – Lady in Satin
Why would someone want to listen to jazz music?
Jazz is a genre of music that has been around since the early 1900s. It’s characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and complex chord progressions. Jazz originated in New Orleans and was popularized by African-Americans in the South. The name jazz is derived from the word jasm which means ‘to make a noise with one’s mouth’.
People who enjoy jazz music often do so for its complexity and unique sound. They might also enjoy it for its ability to evoke emotions like sadness or happiness.
What is the difference between jazz and blues?
Jazz and blues are two different types of music that are often confused with each other. Jazz is a type of music that originated in the early 1900s in the United States. It is often described as a combination of African American and European music styles. It has a lot of improvisation and can be played in any style.
Blues, on the other hand, is also a type of music that originated in the United States during the late 1800s. It is more focused on vocal melodies and lyrics than jazz, which focuses more on instrumental improvisation.
What of the most popular songs in jazz music?
The jazz genre is an amalgamation of various music styles, including blues and ragtime. It originated in the early 20th century and is now one of America’s most popular music genres.
The most popular songs in jazz music are generally considered to be ‘Take Five’ by Dave Brubeck, ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong, ‘A Night in Tunisia’ by Dizzy Gillespie, and ‘My Favorite Things’ from the Sound of Music soundtrack.
Who of the most famous jazz musicians?
John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Louis Armstrong are some of the most famous jazz musicians in history.
What is the best way to get started in jazz?
The best way to get started in jazz is to start with the basics. Listen to jazz music and try to figure out the chords and melodies. Try playing along with your instrument or singing a melody line.
What are the best jazz artists to start with?
Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the late 19th century. It is characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and swing. Jazz music has been called “America’s classical music”.
There are many jazz artists to start with, but here are some of the best:
- Miles Davis
- John Coltrane
- Coleman Hawkins
- Thelonious Monk
How do you know what genre of jazz a song is?
This is a difficult question to answer. Jazz songs are not classified by genre, but rather by the style of jazz they play. The most common styles are bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, and traditional jazz.