Who's the GREATEST Jazz artist??

Psychedelic Syd · 06-18-2003, 09:35 PM

O.K., this is not who is the most influential (that could be another thread).. But, who recorded the best jazz music...

Field Hippy · 06-18-2003, 10:12 PM

the three best on your list are:
Miles Davis
Louis Armstrong
Duke Ellington

Psychedelic Syd · 06-18-2003, 10:17 PM

I hope we get some debate here... Before I reveal my pick I will say how interesting it is in Jazz how the "torch" was past several times (a young Miles having played with Parker, Coltrane having played with Miles)...

I do realize now that I left of some of the great vocalists who should be on the list like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday (sorry ladies)...

Oh man, I also left off Thelonius Monk... wow, sorry about that...

-

Reverend Rock · 06-19-2003, 12:37 AM

Ellington.

Psychedelic Syd · 06-19-2003, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reverend Rock
Ellington.

-

Interesting choice... While his songs have been played by more Jazz artists then anyone else, I feel his actual recordings were not as good as others who covered him (at least the several dozens that I have heard)... Just my opinion...

-

Psychedelic Syd · 06-19-2003, 01:04 AM

I am no Jazz expert for sure.. But my jazz collection keeps growing and I find myself returning to Miles Davis more often than anyone else... A few years ago when I first got serious about exploring jazz, it was Coltrane who really got to me.. But some of his more experimental stuff (like Ascension) is just too out there for me... So my pick (at this point in my knowledge of Jazz which only incorporates about 50 albums) goes to Miles Davis... (and most of my favorites of his are the cool jazz stuff, not the rock cross over material)... And next to Louis Armstrong and maybe Charlie Parker, Miles is the most influential jazz performer in my opinion (but, like I said earlier, that really is material for another thread)...

Reverend Rock · 06-19-2003, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psychedelic Syd
Interesting choice... While his songs have been played by more Jazz artists then anyone else, I feel his actual recordings were not as good as others who covered him (at least the several dozens that I have heard)... Just my opinion...

Very good point, Syd. I would tend to agree. But when you say "greatest jazz artist", I don't just think of the recorded legacy, like we would tend to do in rock/pop discussions. I think also of composition (as a jazz composer, I consider him without peer), level of mentorship (think of all the players he brought to the forefront in his prime, people like Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, etc.), and extent of influence (you've already brought that out in your comment on how many jazz artists keep coming back to his work).

So I'll say it again...Ellington.

Psychedelic Syd · 06-19-2003, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reverend Rock
Very good point, Syd. I would tend to agree. But when you say "greatest jazz artist", I don't just think of the recorded legacy, like we would tend to do in rock/pop discussions. I think also of composition (as a jazz composer, I consider him without peer), level of mentorship (think of all the players he brought to the forefront in his prime, people like Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, etc.), and extent of influence (you've already brought that out in your comment on how many jazz artists keep coming back to his work).

So I'll say it again...Ellington.

-

Well, just to get technical,, I did ask in my first post "who recorded the best jazz music"... I really have no problem with anyone picking Ellington (I mean gosh, the guy is a giant), but are his recordings (by him and his orchestras or big bands) your favorites??? Do you break out Ellington albums and enjoy them more than any other jazz artist.. Like I said earlier, influence is a whole other topic... as is who is the best jazz songwriter (would anyone challenge Ellington in that area, I don't think so)...

-

Equinox · 06-19-2003, 01:57 AM

may I add Herbie Hancock to your list? he at least deserves to be up there somewhat, don't you think?

Psychedelic Syd · 06-19-2003, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by VernalEquinox
may I add Herbie Hancock to your list? he at least deserves to be up there somewhat, don't you think?

-

yeah, he is worthy for sure... A poll like this that covers a whole style of music makes it hard to list all the greats... (that is why I was sure to leave a "other" choice,, but even doing that I left off some giants like Billie Holiday by accident)...

-