Jazz Guides
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Essentials - John Abercrombie
3rd May 2022
For our second instalment of 'Essentials', we give some recommendations on where to start with the vast catalogue of American jazz guitarist John Abercrombie.
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Essentials - Bill Frisell
5th Apr 2022
We give some recommendations on where to start with American jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, from early entries and sideman features to more recent releases.
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Non-Jazz Favourites from 2021
23rd Dec 2021
Josh and Matt look back over 2021 and pick out some of their favourite releases from outside their normal jazz wheelhouse.
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Jazzy Christmas Favourites From Presto Music
2nd Dec 2021
Some of our favourite Christmas jazz recordings, old and new. Including new releases and reissues by Norah Jones, Michael Bublé and Till Brönner, as well as classics from Vince Guaraldi, Frank Sinatra, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
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Great Gifts for Jazz Readers
30th Nov 2021
We've collected some of the best jazz-related reads on our website, from a photobook of dusty Blue Note portraits, to the life and times of one of jazz music's most well-known guitar players, to deep dives into classic albums.
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Reading Material - Biographies of Jazz Legends
9th Aug 2021
Get stuck into a good book with these biographies of jazz legends, from Miles Davis’s casual recounting of his wild and varied life, to Nina Simone’s involvement in the civil rights movement, to Glenn Miller’s disappearance over the English Channel.
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Daniel Herskedal
15th Jun 2021
An introduction to Norway's top tubist, composer and arranger, with a walkthrough of his recent catalogue of releases on Edition Records.
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Paul Robeson, Voice of the People
17th May 2021
Josh delves into the storied life of the bass-baritone singer, actor and political activist, and recommends some collections of his best recordings.
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Trish Clowes on Wayne Shorter's 'Footprints Live!'
1st Mar 2021
In the second of our new series of videos, British saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, Trish Clowes, tells us about Wayne Shorter's Footprints Live!, The Record That Changed Her Life.
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Tony Kofi on Charlie Parker with Strings
8th Feb 2021
In the first of a new series of videos, UK saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Tony Kofi, tells us why Charlie Parker with Strings had such an impact on his conception of music, and his introduction into the world of bebop.
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Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas
27th Nov 2020
Matt selects some of the best jazz-infused Christmas albums out there, and sincerely apologises for the Santa picture to the left.
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Sam Rivers
10th Nov 2020
A brief introduction to the music of Sam Rivers, who in his long lifetime established himself one of the most consistently inventive saxophonists in jazz.
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Jazz Guitar
2nd Nov 2020
From big band to bebop, free jazz to fusion, the guitar has always had a strong presence in jazz music. For this latest Jazz Genre Guide, we go through some of the key players of each era.
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Charlie Parker at 100: Essential Recordings
29th Aug 2020
Celebrating the genius of Charlie Parker on his 100th birthday, we assess the man's essential recordings.
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Jazz Fusion
19th Aug 2020
In the latest Jazz Genre Guide we look at the nebulous world of fusion, focussing on the explosion of new sounds coming out of Miles Davis and associates from the late 60's through to the mid 70s.
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Miles Davis (trumpet), Don Alias (congas), Jumma Santos (shaker), Chick Corea (piano), Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet), Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone), Dave Holland (bass), Larry Young (piano), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Joe Zawinul (piano), John McLaughlin (guitar), Lenny White (drums), Harvey Brooks (bass guitar), Jumma Santos (congas), Don Alias (drums), Dave Holland (bass guitar), Lenny White (percussion), Billy Cobham (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion)
More products from this article -
Free Jazz
4th Jun 2020
The first instalment in a new series exploring the many genres within jazz finds Matt jumping straight in at the deep end and recommending some of the most enduring recordings loosely grouped under the heading of 'free jazz'. May the skronk be with you!
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Ornette Coleman
21st Nov 2019
Ornette Coleman's reputation as the man who broke jazz often gets in the way of some of the most celebratory music of any age, which continues to communicate 60 years on.
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Jelly Roll Morton
21st Aug 2019
Matt explores Jelly Roll Morton's recordings both as a solo pianist and with the Red Hot Peppers group.
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Jelly-Roll Morton
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Jimmy Smith
20th Jun 2019
Another week, another new article heading, this one incorporating Classic album of the Week (it's their fault for showing me how to add categories). Jimmy Smith transformed the Hammond organ into a pukka jazz beast, so let's go Back to the Chicken Shack with Jimmy and also indulge in a brief(ish) history of the mighty B3, and its dark twin, the Leslie cabinet.
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A fascinating Duke Ellington biography by Terry Teachout
15th May 2019
Matt explores Duke Ellington's life and music through Terry Teachout's biography, which paints a picture of both the musician and the world he was working in.
