(ask me again in ten minute)

performer - Wes Montgomery (pre-Verve catalog)

composer - Charles Mingus (especially those tunes penned for his mid-sized ensembles)

"composer - Charles Mingus (especially those tunes penned for his mid-sized ensembles)"

If stranded on a desert island I think I would choose Blues and Roots if I could only pick one recording.

"Blues and Roots" is a great album, although I'm more partial to "Ah Um", probably because it's the first Mingus I ever experienced. I also really like "Tijuana Moods" although it took me a while to appreciate it properly.

On a related note, I find most of Sun Ra's work a bit esoteric, but the album "Jazz in Silhouette" is fantastic. Very Mingus-y IMHO... It reminds me of the music that was featured in the wild party scenes in the 60's sitcom, "I Dream of Jeannie".

Me neither. I think your definition ""tried and true" jazz music; something that's been with us for a while." is as good as any and better than most.

I like Sun Ra's experimental/free jazz stuff. I like Ornette too. I'll have to check out Jazz in Silhouette.

I think of Coleman Hawkins when I think "classic". That might be a mistake as well... most of these guys, the best, were so plastic and so on the pulse of what was going on at the time that it's hard to call any of it "classic". What was once avant garde later becomes classic... seems odd.

Check out Coleman Hawkins "Dali" if you want to hear something interesting. It used to be very hard to find but I see it has been rereleased. Keep in mind while listening that this is essentially a swing musician playing live, post bop, which he presaged with body and soul, at the height of "cool jazz" era and at the beginning of something entirely new (modal jazz, free jazz). It's almost like another preview of what's coming from a guy who has seen what's passed.

So today the best Classic Jazz artist is Coleman Hawkins. Ask me again tomoroow.

I don't currently own any albums with Coleman Hawkins as the band leader, but I know that he's listed as a sideman on some of my Django and Monk CD's.

There's my Classic Jazz artist of the day: Django!

My favorites are Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan and above all others, Ella Fitzgerald.

And as someone else mentioned, ask me again tomorrow!

I collected lots of Bix Beiderbecke at around the same time. The Bix 78s were kind of expensive so I'd buy loads of Jean Goldkette and Paul Whiteman's Orchestra and there would be Bix as a soloist.... at a much cheaper price.

Today's greatest jazz artist is Bix Beiderbecke!

Clairabelle, I can't think of Verve without thinking of Sassy Sarah Vaughan either, good choice.

But, I did end up buying Ornette Coleman, "The Shape of Jazz to Come" and Milt Jackson, "Elegance: The Birth of the Modern Jazz Quartet" on spec... I have yet to give them a proper listening.

Please keep the recommendations coming!

In his latter days, Miles was just a celebrated pop artist covering Michael Jackson, 'trane went on his esoteric trips
and mades sounds that bore no resemblance to music, and
Mingus was just a fine musician, nothing more or less.

You just can't name a "best", not with the music that artists like Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck,
Sarah Vaughan and Buddy Rich left us.

Miles. I have about 15 of his recordings, but my favorites are "Btches Brew" and "On the Corner". The first time I heard BB I alternately cried and laughed hysterically I was so moved. I was sitting in the dark with my headphones on. I was not prepared for what I heard. I guess I was expecting fusion like that of Weather Report, or other jazz of the early 70's (which didn't impress me at the time)...

I currently have only early Coltrane recordings in my collection, so I can't speak for his later work...

Are you saying that anybody that names the Stones, the Beatles, Hendrix, etc. as rock favorites are also posers? I think if I was really trying to impress people I would be more likely to pick relatively unknowns to prove my great taste in music...

I think it's time for me to hear Btches Brew, especially after the way you describe your reaction to it.

I don't quite understand what this statement means. Could you please elaborate?

In my way of thinking there are far fewer who are familiar or take the time to understand enough to fully appreciate Miles, Mingus, Coltrane just as three examples. As one example of this, Miles Davis had an extremely accomplished and powerful live band and was doing far more interesting things in the twilight of his 50 year career than just covering Michael Jackson.

Ramblingjack mentioned Louis Jordan above who is also one of my favorites. I think his being mentioned is interesting and relevant. I have heard his importance dismissed by people who consider him as more of a popular or novelty act but I thin you really have to consider what he was doing in the context of the time at which he was doing it to fully appreciate him. If you aren't paying attention you might miss it but on closer inspection he truly was a ground breaking act and an important piece of the jazz puzzle. He crossed over so many genres and brought jazz, swing, "R&B" to a wide, popular and racially diverse audience. He made it apparent that jazz and pop were closely connected.

Lester Bowie and Brass Fantasy used to remind me a bit of Louis Jordan. He was kind of like a "Jukebox" just like Jordan was. He quoted and played popular music (spice girls, marilyn manson, michael jackson, etc) incorporating and referencing it in his own idiosyncratic jazz "style"... much like Miles was doing in his late career but in a much more playful way.

I have a nephew who was in his late twenties and the owner
of a lucrative business when he was asked by a company rep
if he would be interested in a pair of Rolling Stones
concert ticket. According to the teller of this story, my
nephew's resonse was "What are the Rolling Stones?" Can you
understand this yet?

Read my post. I didn't say Miles was a celebrated pop artist for the majority of his career. I made myself quite clear.

Louis Jordan? I dismiss him as a novelty act. I bet you'll
get the drift of that statement.