Three Records to Get You Into Jazz (That Aren’t the Obvious Picks)
Alternate entry points into jazz that open up a world of discovery
I’ve been into music for most of my life, and jazz has almost always been a part of that. But it wasn’t an obsession like it is now. I had some of the classics as part of my rotation: Kind of Blue and A Love Supreme mostly. But that was as far as it went.
That’s until one day during the early days of the pandemic, when I had way too much time on my hands, I discovered Ryo Fukui. I was immediately caught by the stunning artwork for Scenery, Fukui’s 1976 debut, but even more impressed by the music contained within. I immediately purchased a copy on vinyl and that’s when the floodgates opened and jazz became central to my listening and a major part of my life.
There’s something special about finding an alternate pathway into a new hobby or interest. Sure, the classics are as such for a reason, and they’re as good a starting point as any, but I like approaching things differently and experiencing that wonderful moment of discovery that only happens when you stumble upon something that you weren’t really expecting.
So with that, here are three brilliant records that may provide that alternate entry point to jazz. No Miles, no Coltrane, no Bill Evans, no Chet Baker, and no Art Blakey, but these three musicians are all jazz masters in their own right.
Tony Fruscella - Tony Fruscella
Tony Fruscella is one of jazz’s tragic cases. He released one record as a band leader in 1955 and passed away at the age of 42, having struggled with addiction for a large portion of his life. Fruscella was a trumpeter in New York who worked with Stan Getz, Don Joseph, and Lester Young. He also briefly married to jazz singer Morgana King (who also played Don Corleone’s wife in The Godfather). Fruscella is one of those artists, like Charles Laughton who directed The Night of the Hunter and Jean Vigo who directed L’Atalante, that passed at a young age leaving just one significant work and left us wondering how much incredible work was still to come.
Tony Fruscella is a mellow masterpiece. A record that has been unfairly forgotten, perhaps because Fruscella didn’t have much more of a discography to back it up. It’s introspective and melancholic, but entirely approachable and accessible. If you’re looking for something that strikes a balance between Chet Baker and Miles Davis, but is still its own unique thing, this is where to start. It’s beautiful late night jazz that works just as well whenever you decide to listen to it. If the thought of aggressive jazz turns you off, this melodic and moody album makes a wonderful alternative.
Track to start with: “Metropolitan Blues”
Art Farmer - Art
Art Farmer is perhaps the most well-known name on this list, but he’s unfortunately never in the conversation when it comes to artists to explore when first getting into jazz. Farmer was primarily a trumpeter, but he also helped popularise the flugelhorn, an instrument he began using extensively in the 1960s and beyond. While much of his work is certainly revered, he sadly never received the full blown ardour that most of his contemporaries did.
Farmer’s 1960 release, Art is a straightforward post-bop record that is easy to love. It’s elegant and refined, smooth and melodic. I love listening to this album in the morning, especially on a weekend when I’ve woken up far too early and can’t get back to sleep. The day hasn’t started yet, but the coffee machine is on, and with Art on in the background, the day ahead doesn’t seem so bad. This is a perfect starting point for anyone wanting something low-key.
Track to start with: “Goodbye, Old Girl”
Takeshi Shibuya - Dream
Takeshi Shibuya was born in Tokyo in 1939 where, as far as I can determine, he still performs. His most famous release is Shibuyan, released in 1983, but in Japan he is best known as a composer for films, in which he has won local awards. Unlike other Japanese jazz musicians, such as Ryo Fukui and Hiroshi Suzuki, his music doesn’t seem to have gained much popularity outside his native country, which is a shame.
Dream, for me, is one of the greatest live albums of all time, right up there with Waltz for Debby. It’s just the most beautiful and delicate of recordings, and I would have given anything to have been there in the room when it was recorded (I can’t find any details on where it was recorded other than it may have been in Kagoshima?). I think the album works as a great entry point into so many different things; jazz in general of course, but also live albums, Japanese jazz, piano jazz, and more. It’s pleasant, relaxing, but always engaging and never boring or dull. Dream is a lush masterpiece of jazz that unfortunately too few have on their radar.
Track to start with: “Prelude to a Kiss”
Thanks for reading. Since I started this post with Ryo Fukui, I’ll leave you with a track from one of his records. “All the Things You Are” is from Fukui’s live album Ryo Fukui in New York released in 1999.
If you’ve read this far, I would love to know what artist or album/song kick started your love for music, jazz or otherwise.
I love the way you’ve framed this post: an invitation to an alternative path. No clickbaity “don’t be basic” shaming nonsense, just a welcome—someone sharing something they’ve found beautiful and meaningful without putting anyone else down. We need more of this in the world I think.
Thank you for the writing, and thank you for the album recs.✨
Great picks! The first jazz album that really captured me was Ahmad Jamal’s At the Pershing. I heard it on a pretty high end system in a hifi shop and was mesmerized. Felt like they were performing in front of me.
A pick I like to toss in as a wildcard for newbies is Dorothy Ashby & Frank Weiss ‘in a minor groove’. It’s such an interesting combination and works really well. Approachable music and a good entry point to jazz harp.