This may come too late for use, as the Post Office has largely congealed already. But here is my 10 best list of jazz discs. Bear in mind that I think Jazz is the heart of music, that 50's bop is the heart of jazz, and that Miles Davis is the heart of it all.
1. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue. This is the best selling jazz album, and in this case it really deserves the honor.
2. John Coltrane, A Love Supreme. I argued against Mr. Heppler's view that this was number two, on the grounds that it is very atypical in structure. But it is magnificent jazz, and clearly is the 2nd most influential disc.
3. Miles Davis Quintet, Cookin'. Davis' first great quintet, with Trane and the incomparable rhythm section of Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums, it doesn't get better than this. But Cookin' is one of four albums that present the work of the Quintet on tour. Any one of them, Workin', Relaxin', or Steamin', would be a great stocking stuffer.
4. Wayne Shorter, Speak No Evil. Shorter would replace Trane in the second great Davis Quintet. Wayne Shorter was one of the great player/composers of modern jazz. He is my personal jazz hero. If you or your Christmas friend has that album, see if they have Night Dreamers of Juju. Shorter's compositions are spooky and penetrating.
5. Bill Evans, Sunday at the Village Vanguard. Cool Jazz. Subtle. A place where the soul can rest while the piano does its work.
6. Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus. About as much raw power as a brass instrument can produce. You will be humming the tunes all day.
7. Dexter Gordon, Our Man in Paris. Spend a Night in Tunisia with Gordon, only you're in Paris. It's raining. The street is cobblestone. Everyone is speaking French.
8. Cannonball Adderley, Somethin' Else. Miles Davis as a side man. Art Blakey on drums. Love for Sale, at about nine bucks if you are a Barnes & Noble member.
9. Oliver Nelson, Blues and the Abstract Truth. Bill Evans on Piano. Paul Chambers on bass. Brilliant composition.
10. Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section. See #3 for the rhythm section. Pepper's wife dragged her husband and Garland, Chambers, and Jones together for a perfect session. Listen, and be perfected.
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