You might think jazz is unpopular among the more modern musical art forms, but by combining European classical music’s harmony with West African music’s rhythm, jazz artists created the perfect love child typified by a swing feel and improvisation that’s just as popular today. Despite its acquired taste, jazz’s audience has grown much since its heydays in the 1920s and 1930s.
This musical genre is far from dying out. Today, jazz assimilates influence from other genres just as it has assimilated into different genres of music. Considering its depth, it’s unsurprising that you might be one of the many looking to develop a jazz music collection. Luckily, if you want to build a jazz music collection without spending excessive money, you’re in the right place.
In this blog, you will learn how to understand your purpose for collecting jazz and the top three essential must-have jazz albums, and you will also uncover jazz vinyl collection tips.
Understanding Your Purpose for Collecting Jazz
Before building a jazz music collection, the first question you must ask yourself will be what drew you to it in the first place.
Was it the exploration of its rich history? Is it a focus on specific jazz legends or maybe the warmth of jazz music when played on vinyl? By answering these questions, you’ll gain a clear understanding of your purpose for collecting jazz, which will help guide your choices and keep your collecting focused.
Generally, it is good to first listen to different sub-genres of jazz, such as Bebop, Cool Jazz, or Swing. This will give you a clear indicator of what you want in your collection and where you might want to start in terms of building your collection.
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Top 3 Must-Have Jazz Vinyl Record Albums To Start Your Collection
It’s a good idea to start a jazz record collection with records that formed the foundation of this style and are popular to this date; so, you should include these top three essential jazz record albums in your collection:
- The Cooker – Lee Morgan (Blue Note, 1958)
Trumpeter Lee Morgan’s Blue Note original vinyl record album “The Cooker” demonstrates Lee Morgan’s early bop-oriented influence. It contains an improvisation of sounds that speak to the listener with spontaneity and youthful enthusiasm.
- Satchmo At Symphony Hall – Louis Armstrong (Decca, 1951)
Louis Armstrong significantly impacted the development of New Orleans-style jazz music. His performance, Satchmo At Symphony Hall, which was live recorded in 1947, is full of Louis Armstrong’s earliest hits, including the jazz standards “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue.” The recording was released on record on April 30, 1951, so if you can find it, you can enjoy these tracks in the comfort of your home.
- The Source – Tony Allen (Blue Note, 2017)
In Tony Allen’s Blue Note record album “The Source,” he continues to return to his jazz roots. However, this time, he further explores the relationship between African music and Western jazz and a wider web of jazz influences. The album includes eleven tracks uniquely composed and arranged by saxophonist Yann Jankielewicz and Tony Allen. It’s easy listening at its finest!
Note: These are just three of a vast selection of some of the best jazz albums to own. These timeless classics represent milestones in the genre’s evolution; therefore, they should be included in the collection of any serious collector of jazz music.
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Jazz Vinyl Collection Tips
Vinyl records have such a rich sound that they are often the preferred listening medium for many jazz music fans. Here are some things to consider when collecting jazz vinyl:
- First, always look at the condition. This is especially important on records from earlier dates.
- Try to stick with records graded “Very Good” or higher. Original pressings hold value, but many reissues provide great sound at a lower price, so don’t be afraid to purchase highly qualitative reissues if budget is an issue.
- To preserve their condition, you should store your records upright and away from heat and moisture with protective sleeves. Never store your vinyl records in the original sleeves they came in.
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The Wrap-Up On Developing A Jazz Collection
As you continue to explore and expand your collection, remember that jazz is an ever-evolving art form, with something new and exciting always waiting to be discovered in its vast, dynamic world. Also, remember to follow Sharon Marie Cline’s Jazz vinyl collection tips so you can look after your ever-growing collection correctly.
