The albums that define
jazz blues.
Our picks for where to start with jazz blues — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
The jazz blues essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Billie Holiday
Lady in Satin
A haunting blend of orchestral lushness and Billie Holiday's emotionally fraught, smoky vocals encapsulates deep heartache.
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Billie Holiday
Lady Sings the Blues
A poignant blend of sorrow and resilience, showcasing Holiday's emotive vocal delivery against lush, jazz-infused arrangements.
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Billie Holiday
Body and Soul
A poignant blend of jazz and blues, capturing the depth of emotion in every note sung by Holiday.
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Odetta
Sings Ballads and Blues
Odetta's rich, resonant voice intertwines folk and blues with poignant storytelling and emotional depth.
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Odetta
My Eyes Have Seen
A soulful blend of traditional folk and blues, underpinned by Odetta's rich, powerful vocals.
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Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
A sultry blend of jazz and blues, capturing raw emotion through Billie Holiday's hauntingly beautiful vocals.
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Billie Holiday
All or Nothing at All
A rich tapestry of emotive vocals and sophisticated arrangements woven through classic jazz standards.
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Billie Holiday
Music for Torching with Billie Holiday
Sublime vocal delivery entwines with rich orchestral arrangements, creating an intimate atmosphere of heartache and longing.
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Billie Holiday
Stay with Me
A haunting blend of jazz and blues, where Holiday's vocals soar over lush orchestral arrangements.
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Billie Holiday
Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933–1944
A rich tapestry of emotional depth and haunting melodies, showcasing Billie Holiday's unparalleled vocal prowess.
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Billie Holiday
Velvet Mood
A lush tapestry of jazz standards woven with Billie Holiday's unmistakable emotive vocal delivery.
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Billie Holiday
An Evening with Billie Holiday
A soulful blend of lush orchestration and Billie Holiday's haunting, emotive vocals that encapsulate jazz's intimate storytelling.
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Billie Holiday
Lady in Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years
A haunting blend of soulful vocals and poignant lyrics that encapsulate the essence of jazz and blues.
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Billie Holiday
Last Recording
A haunting farewell filled with emotional vulnerability and the blues-inflected elegance of a jazz legend.
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Billie Holiday
The Essential Billie Holiday: Carnegie Hall Concert Recorded Live
Billie Holiday's emotive voice weaves through jazz standards, delivering raw, poignant narratives that resonate deeply.
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Billie Holiday
At Jazz at the Philharmonic
A smoky blend of emotive vocals and intricate jazz arrangements that captures the essence of mid-century American music.
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Odetta
Blues Everywhere I Go
A soulful blend of traditional blues and folk that resonates with raw emotional depth.
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Odetta
The Best of Odetta: Ballads and Blues
Odetta's rich baritone weaves together timeless folk and blues, evoking deep emotional resonance through traditional storytelling.
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Odetta
Odetta at Carnegie Hall
Odetta's powerful voice delivers a stirring blend of folk, blues, and gospel that resonates with deep emotional weight.
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Odetta
At the Gate of Horn
A soulful blend of traditional folk and blues, enriched with Odetta's powerful and emotive vocals.
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Odetta
Vanguard Visionaries
Odetta's rich, resonant vocals breathe new life into traditional folk and blues standards with heartfelt authenticity.
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Odetta
The Essential Odetta
Rooted in traditional folk, Odetta's voice combines bluesy grit with profound emotional resonance.
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Odetta
Gonna Let It Shine
A soulful blend of traditional spirituals and folk melodies, infused with Odetta's powerful voice and heartfelt storytelling.
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Odetta
Odetta and the Blues
A powerful blend of traditional folk and blues, Odetta's voice resonates with raw emotion and authenticity.
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