I’ve read with interest over the past several weeks the previous posts in this thread. I’m aware of some of the controversies and have found the discussions of them illuminating and helpful. But, I cannot claim to have anything like the depth of understanding of some of the definitional issues you have discussed. And, I confess that my interest in them is principally intellectual. I don’t find them especially useful in my understanding or enjoyment of the music.
I’m afraid I’m something of a Neanderthal where classification of music is concerned. My LPs and digital files are cataloged according to a simple five group typology: rock ‘n’ roll/pop, jazz, blues, classical, International folk. I have difficulty sometimes determining to which of those five categories specific recordings belong, let alone trying to parse some of the issues you’ve taught me about in this forum. So, please accept my apologies for trespassing across boundaries some of you think important for defining jazz. My intention is not to offend or raise controversy, but merely to call attention to some recordings I regard as jazz essentials in the hope others among will find new loves.
To begin, I love many of the artists that receive regular praise in the preceding posts: Miles, Monk and Mingus; Ellington; Coltrane; Grant Green, Lee Morgan; Horace Silver; etc.
Here are some “jazz”favorites I feel deserve more fans:
Gary Bartz Ntu Troop, Juju Street Songs
Randy Westin, Little Niles
James Blood Ulmer, Freelancin’
Tiger Trio, Unleashed
Tim Berne’s Snake Oil
Art Ensemble of Chicago, A Jackson in Your House
Listening now to Charles Lloyd and the Marvels w/Lucinda Williams, Vanished Gardens.
