Just ordered a copy of Music Inn a couple of days ago. I’ve been looking for an affordable copy of Giuffre Clarinet, but they tend to be pricey. Great choices all.
Thanks for the roundup. Great to have new to me hard bop and otherwise. Must note that today (Apr 22) is the 103d birthday of Charles Mingus, who also recorded some decent jazz in the 50s. Including this (the second version, and the best, but the first is only slightly less awesome, and features Max Roach): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7CoJEyiSfE
Wow you're the only person I know who has ever mentioned Giuffre besides my dad, who played sax in the 50's. Def. a sleeper and a real all-around composer/performer IMO. And gosh I had no idea he did anything with MJQ, thanks so much Ana!
Those early 60s Giuffre trio albums, which I too do love, are iconic, but partly because of that recordings like Tangets… are almost like forgotten gems. Bryant is new to me, too. Thanks for the heads-up.
Great selection of albums here! If your readers would like to dig deeper into these, I have liner notes and reviews for all of them at my website: https://thejazztome.info - I designed the site with the idea of reading about the music while you listen to it, the same way listeners would have 60 or 70 years ago. It's free; no paywalls, no ads, just what I hope is a pleasant browsing experience.
Giuffre drummerless trio is so soft slinky and far-reaching, you will like it. Great recs. If you haven’t go all the way on Brown/Roach. Every cut a winner
I am about to teach a jazz of the 1950s course for Jazz at Lincoln Center; I do think you should have at least one Sonny Rollins record - Worktime or Saxophone Colossus maybe - and a Monk, a Bud Powell and Miles Davis. Also think about Gil Evans.
I got the feeling that the author was going for some under-the-radar names. Monk and Rollins are obviously great, but I'd wager that folks that click on a 50s jazz album email or link have already heard of them.
well, Giufre was not under the radar, he was constantly working in the '50s and later; and The Modern Jazz Quartet? Coltrane? Clifford Brown? Hardly. If you want under the radar think Hall Overton, Teddy Charles, Gene Quill, Shelly Manne, Bob Graettinger, Dave Schildkraut, George Handy - I really could go on and on. Even Cecil Taylor, little known at the time, recorded in the '50s; and Bill Evans' earliest recording was in 1956.
Just ordered a copy of Music Inn a couple of days ago. I’ve been looking for an affordable copy of Giuffre Clarinet, but they tend to be pricey. Great choices all.
Mmmm, that Bryant album is perfect for pottering around the kitchen on a Sunday morning...
Jimmy Giuffre is such a sleeper. His catalogue is such a joy to explore. Thanks for sharing all these gems you found.
Just now getting to take a look through this...nice Jazz picks! Ray Bryant is definitely a bit underrated, I think!
Thanks for the roundup. Great to have new to me hard bop and otherwise. Must note that today (Apr 22) is the 103d birthday of Charles Mingus, who also recorded some decent jazz in the 50s. Including this (the second version, and the best, but the first is only slightly less awesome, and features Max Roach): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7CoJEyiSfE
That Blowing in from Chicago album is so incredible, John Gilmore was a genius and I miss him.
Wow you're the only person I know who has ever mentioned Giuffre besides my dad, who played sax in the 50's. Def. a sleeper and a real all-around composer/performer IMO. And gosh I had no idea he did anything with MJQ, thanks so much Ana!
Thanks! Have you heard James Brandon Lewis' APPLE CORES (2025)?
Yes! It's excellent. It's on my list to write about at some point.
Ana, you need the ECM Jimmy Giuffre 3’s 1961 which is a reissue of their Thesis and Fusion albums. Wonderful music.
Those early 60s Giuffre trio albums, which I too do love, are iconic, but partly because of that recordings like Tangets… are almost like forgotten gems. Bryant is new to me, too. Thanks for the heads-up.
Love these recommendations, always putting them on my to listen to list whenever I see these here.
Great selection of albums here! If your readers would like to dig deeper into these, I have liner notes and reviews for all of them at my website: https://thejazztome.info - I designed the site with the idea of reading about the music while you listen to it, the same way listeners would have 60 or 70 years ago. It's free; no paywalls, no ads, just what I hope is a pleasant browsing experience.
Giuffre drummerless trio is so soft slinky and far-reaching, you will like it. Great recs. If you haven’t go all the way on Brown/Roach. Every cut a winner
I am about to teach a jazz of the 1950s course for Jazz at Lincoln Center; I do think you should have at least one Sonny Rollins record - Worktime or Saxophone Colossus maybe - and a Monk, a Bud Powell and Miles Davis. Also think about Gil Evans.
I got the feeling that the author was going for some under-the-radar names. Monk and Rollins are obviously great, but I'd wager that folks that click on a 50s jazz album email or link have already heard of them.
well, Giufre was not under the radar, he was constantly working in the '50s and later; and The Modern Jazz Quartet? Coltrane? Clifford Brown? Hardly. If you want under the radar think Hall Overton, Teddy Charles, Gene Quill, Shelly Manne, Bob Graettinger, Dave Schildkraut, George Handy - I really could go on and on. Even Cecil Taylor, little known at the time, recorded in the '50s; and Bill Evans' earliest recording was in 1956.
Okay, good luck with your course.