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I'm thinking I should get into jazz music - any ideas where to start?

When I wanted to start my blues collection, I found a series of around 50 compilations of classic blues artists for a fiver each (OK, £7 nowadays), which I slowly worked my way through - anyone know of anything similar for jazz?

Gif

Have you tried listening to a Jazz FM-type radio station, to see what sort of stuff you might like?

The one jazz album I'd recommend to absolutely anyone is Miles Davis' 'Kind Of Blue.' It's superb and not too sideways.

That's a fab album. I'm pretty much the same as you, Gif, I'd like to have more jazz - and blues as it happens.

Dave Brubeck Quartet's 'Time Out' is next on my list. Do you want jazz with vocals, or not? If you like jazz music with singers, Madeleine Peyroux is very good.

Unfortunately, the digital radio station 'thejazz' has stopped transmitting.

+1 for Time Out. It's the only other jazz album I listen to regularly.

Isn't there a plethora of internet Jazz stations?

Anything by Jobim, though he tends to be more Bossa Nova than Jazz, but one is basically the other with local influences. Also would reccoment Chat Baker and Louis Armstrong, as well as Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. Thelonius Monk is a legend in himself. These could all be regarded Old School Jazz artists, so see if you like them, or prefer the more modern kind of music, of which I have no names to give you.
Speaking of Blues, try finding Eric Clapton's fantastic album with B B King, "Riding with The King". That's Blues for you.... yeah.

THis site lists a few internet stations: http://jazz.about.com/od/jazzinternetradio/Internet_Radio_The_Best_Jazz_Radio_Streams_on_the_Web.htm

My Dad has Riding With The King, it's cracking!

I would start with the classic, L. Armstrong, Fiztgerald,etc.
Then Herbie Hancock.
Jazz- Bossa Nova is delicious, I've haven´t met anyone who doesn´t like it yet.

Jazz is a label for many different rhythms.
I also think that Radio stations are the way to familiarize with it.

Definately start with listening to the radio/online playlists as sgugested; At least then you'll know if the more traditional stuff (a second or third call out for Kind of Blue as a good album to really start with the more traditional stuff), is for you, or weather you'd prefer more experimental/alternative jazz (I'd say try listening to some Zappa here, but then I would woudln't i...), or more modern stuff, maybe soemthign like the partazans if thats your kind of thing (personally I find groups like the partazans too lacking and not enough complexity to the rrrangements to hold my attention very long, plus it just doesn't have the soudnscape that the more traditional matterials do)

If you want to do more than just listen, here is some software that includes 50+ jazz songs plus lots of other features (I happen to be listening to an earlier version right now):

http://www.pgmusic.com/mjpiano.htm

Note the "Video Demo" link at the top and screen shots, sample song, etc. at the right, should give you an idea of what's included.

The Smithsonian compiled a 5-CD set of jazz, you might give it a listen to find out what periods/styles/players you like.

Check out Billy Strayhorn, pianist and composer.

Two of my personal favorites are Sun Ra and Alice Coltrane.

Thanks all. Yes, sticking with the 'classics' for now seems best, on the grounds that (a) that's plenty to be getting on with, and (b) there's a reason they become classics! Not too worried about whether there are vocals or not.

I'll try to hunt out a couple of the albums you've mentioned. Radio's a good idea too - I'll try to make some time to listen to it more.

I've got a cheap-o 5 CD set of Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, etc. (1 artist per CD) Of them, I'm likin' Dizzy best atm.

Gif

Time Out is available for £4.99 in the hmv online sale at the moment.

i have a 4 CD "the jazz box" emi virgin ref:-VTDCDX543 7243 5 92030 2 7

hope this is ant help

Here is another good learning resource for jazz. I have an older video version that is no longer available, but video does not add much - the prof basically sits at the piano and plays, or plays and discusses recordings. He really knows his stuff, and he can really play.

This goes on sale regularly, so if you keep an eye out, you can get if around half price:

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=728&pc=Fine%20Arts%20and%20Music

And something else I stumbled across - Dierdre Cartwright, of BBC's "Rock School" fame in the mid 80's, is now playing jazz:

http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2005/01/rock-school-out-now-on-dvd.html

A great lead guitarist who nailed, among many riffs, Chuck Berry's alltime rock lick from Johnny B. Goode, she was easy on the eyes, also.

I recommend starting with the CD set 'Best Jazz 100'. You can get it on the usual online shopping sites and torrent downloads.

It covers a variety of Jazz styles so when you find a track you like you can investigate that artist further.

If you fancy something contemporary, I can't recommend the new album by the Neil Cowley Trio, 'Loud...Louder...Stop!' highly enough. It's absolutely brilliant! At least have a look out for the standout track 'His Nibs.' (I think you can hear it on myspace).