The albums that define
jazz.
Our picks for where to start with jazz — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top jazz artists
Start with one of these.
The jazz essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Prince
Art Official Age
A vibrant fusion of funk, R&B, and electronic textures that showcases Prince's enduring creativity and playful lyrical wit.
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Prince
Sign "O" the Times
A vibrant tapestry of funk, rock, and pop woven with poignant social commentary and Prince's signature eclecticism.
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John Coltrane
Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall
A vibrant tapestry of improvisation where Monk's idiosyncratic piano meets Coltrane's soaring saxophone in a spellbinding live performance.
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John Coltrane
Bye Bye Blackbird
A transcendent exploration of melody and improvisation, blending traditional jazz with innovative freeform expression.
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Stevie Wonder
With a Song in My Heart
A vibrant blend of jazz standards and pop-infused melodies that showcases youthful exuberance and emotional depth.
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Stevie Wonder
Up Tight
A vibrant blend of soul and pop, marked by infectious melodies and rhythmic grooves that showcase Wonder's early musical genius.
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Randy Brecker
Score
A vibrant exploration of jazz fusion that blends intricate melodies with rhythmic complexity, showcasing Brecker's virtuosic trumpet work.
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Randy Brecker
Randy in Brasil
A vibrant fusion of Brazilian rhythms and jazz improvisation that transports listeners to the heart of Rio's musical landscape.
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Barbra Streisand
My Name Is Barbra, Two…
A lush blend of traditional pop and jazz, showcasing Streisand's powerful vocals through poignant storytelling.
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Barbra Streisand
The Barbra Streisand Album
A blend of jazz-inflected pop and traditional balladry, showcasing Streisand's powerful and emotive vocal delivery.
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By decade
Where jazz landed in each era.