Help me build up a jazz album collection. Can you suggest a must have album?

Hardly a mention here of Count Basie. While best known as leader of his big band, towards the end of his career he made a number of outstanding small combo albums on the Pablo Label. Look for any that say Basie Jam or Kansas City. Great music and super high quality recordings.

My favorite album unmentioned so far is Mulligan Meets Monk. I read somewhere that Gerry Mulligan was awed at the idea of playing with Monk. But he would only do it they could play together on Monk's masterpiece "Round Midnight." It is probably the most recorded song written by any jazz artist, and this version is as good as any.

Donald Byrd Band & Voices - A New Perspective.

Album Featurette:

https://youtu.be/vUOTlgtu4d0?si=y57p0uhmVgaiaiOU

I have been gradually listening to as many

of these choices as I can on YouTube, Roon, Qobuz and Tidal. I am going to buy

albums of the ones I like. Thanks to

all!!!

Jimmy Smith - Back At The Chicken Shack 

There are so many. Most that haven’t even been suggested… Eric Dolphy, Mal Waldron, Gary Bartz, Jeff Palmer, John Abercrombie, Ron Carter, Sonny Rollins, Alice Coltrane, Andrew Hill, Max Roach, Donald Byrd, Kenny Dorham, Booker Ervin, Sahib Shihab, Woody Shaw, Tony Williams, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, David Murray… and on and on. I strongly suggest you follow the Jazz Bums on Youtube and join their discord server. You will learn that everything listed above (others and mine) is the just the tip of the iceberg. Know that jazz, like most things worth pursuing in life, can benefit an acquired taste. Have fun!