[bely832new]

Ok, well, I am 23 from Newfoundland Canada.
I first have to admit that I used to be a hip hop lover. I guess I still am, except contemporary hip hop sickens me. I still love Tupac, for he was a poet, I believe. Anyway....

I became bored with the same 4 second loops repeating constantly. I turned off my CD player in my car one day and tuned in CBC French Clasical (I am not certain of the actual station name). They play alot of jazz. Alot of slow easy listening jazz. That is my style.

I am looking for jazz driven by soft piano, perhaps intermingled with guitar, with smooth soothing basslines. I'm not really interested in 'up-tempo' jazz per se, perhaps I will aquire a taste for that later. I am a pretty strung out guy who need to learn to relax and this kind of music speaks to me, it tell me to let go and just relax, have fun listening to the music.

Could any of you point a new guy in the right direction? I am sorry, I cannot even give an example of what I am looking for. Basically tune into CBC French Classical around midnight and you got what I want! Soft, slow and smooth. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[bely832new]

Oh, and another thing. Intrumentals only. For some reason, I don't enjoy vocals in jazz. I just seem to like the sound of the instuments. It is like the instruments are telling a story. Its like hearing two people talk to one another in a different language. You don't know what they are saying exactly, yet you feel the message. I love it.

Thanks.

[Nemerov]

Try Bill Evans "You Must Believe In Spring", for starters. You'll never regret it.

Al

PS: I don't think we're allowed to use "smooth" to describe jazz any more, unless we're describing "Smooth Jazz".

[bely832new]

huh? hehe, don't know what you mean, but I'll take that into consideration!

I'm going to head down to the shop tomorrow and pick it up!
Anyone else, please feel free to drop a name or two, I'd appreciate it.

I'll be checking this throughout the night! see ya!

[bely832new]

Wow. I have Napster (the new legit napster I pay 14 a month for!). I am listening to Evans now.

You just knew exactly what I was looking for thank you!

Again, anyone else feel free.

[ReneCM]

Yeah, Bill was the first guy I thought of too.

My favorite Bill records:

Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Everybody Digs Bill Evans
Bill Evans Alone
Empathy
A Simple Matter of Conviction

If you like that stuff, you will probably like a Miles Davis records called "58 Sessions", and if you want to stick with the groovy Miles Davis sound, but even more lush and beautiful... try "Miles Ahead" with a 21 piece orchestra arranged by (Canadian) Gil Evans.

There is a John Coltrane record called "Ballads" that would be a good introduction to Coltrane that wouldn't scare you off, hopefully. Coltrane was the Tupac of the jazz saxophone... maybe that would make Sonny Rollins Biggie. Two different styles, equally great. Sonny Rollins "Saxophone Collosus" is a classic and will definitely make you smile, if nothing else.

If you reaaaallly want to chill, check out trumpet player Clifford Brown... a record called "Clifford Brown with Strings." It will knock you out.

Other piano trio music does the trick too... here are some names that you really can't go wrong with:

Ahmad Jamal
Hank Jones
Wynton Kelly
Red Garland
Ray Bryant

Should I stop now? I haven't even gotten to the RZA of jazz... Charles Mingus... but maybe that's for another time.

[zithromaxlinks]

Childs:
"Coltrane: The Tupac of Jazz Saxophone"

(John smiles while slapping himself across the head with a ling cod)

[maxtp]

are out of season. btw, what's a tupac?

[VIAGRAENLINOBARATOCAMPRAR]

Quote:

[Garry Richardson]

Why not offer up our newbie Orwellfan some Cancon? There are lots of great homegrown artists worth checking out. I'm currently digging Winnipeg's Michelle Gregoire who just played here at the Cellar a couple of weeks ago. Her new cd Reaching is high rotation on my stereo. Bonus - her bassist, Jim Vivian, is from The Rock.

[bely832new]

Guys, you have no idea. Thank you all.
I knew I could depend on fellow Canadians to help me out!
Go team Canada! Have fun at the Olympics in 4 years guys!

[Qnnoshxj]

Hey Orwellfan... I'm also from the rock.

There are actually quite a few fellow Newfoundlanders who have made an impact on the National (and abroad) jazz scene: Martin Rickert, Mike Billard, John Nugent, Kevin Coady... for starters.

Another Newfoundland ex-patriot who might "stir your tea" or "salt your fish-and-brews", is Jeff Johnston. He's a pianist now living in Montreal (originally from St. John's). He's got a number of fine recordings out as well.

A trumpet player who might fit into your developing jazz tastes is Chet Baker (not from Newfoundland), the Puff-Daddy of jazz trumpet (isn't there some guy named Puff-Daddy? I'm just trying to fit in here...).

I liked your comment about the music being a language. You've hit the nail on the head.

P.S. nobody really likes vocals in jazz... so don't feel bad...

[bely832new]

" "stir your tea" or "salt your fish-and-brews" "

"P.S. nobody really likes vocals in jazz... so don't feel bad..."

Haha Mike. Thanks for sticking with the Hip-Hop analogy guys!
I take it the Jazz community is very friendly. I appreciate it very much.
Mike, you know where I can go see my FIRST live jazz band in STJ??
I'm so new that I don't even know if there is a club here that features jazz talent. I hope not, but probly not.

[Qnnoshxj]

BTW... I was only kidding about vocals in jazz... for those who are sensitive about such things...

Well, Orwellfan.. I don't know where you could go hear jazz on a regular basis in St. John's. However, I do know that Kirk Newhook has started a jazz society there which hosts a festival in the summer time. And I know that Kirk plays around town so there must be somewhere you can catch him from time to time. I have played at the Duke of Duckworth a few times on trips back to the east. Other than that, I would suggest that you "google" (I can't believe that word has become a verb) Kirk's name or the St. John's jazz festival.

Fred's Records on Duckworth Street is a good place to find a good jazz recording selection (if they have managed to survive the onslaught of larger corporations like HMV).

take care..

[Immusaatmonna]

I find Don Ellis records quite soothing, especially the the catchy tunes in 13/4. The Klaxton's "Clap Clap Sound" always manages to put my left arm to sleep, but I can't seem to stop barking during the accordian solos.
If none of that works I find a few slices of Kava Kava pie with keeny g's "Come To Daddy" never fail for numbing down.