The albums that define
modal jazz.
Our picks for where to start with modal jazz — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top modal jazz artists
Start with one of these.
The modal jazz essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
John Coltrane
Alternate Takes
Exploratory and intricate, this collection reveals Coltrane's improvisational brilliance through alternate takes of his most celebrated compositions.
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John Coltrane
Selflessness: Featuring My Favorite Things
Expansive modal jazz intertwines with spiritual exploration, creating a transcendent listening experience that defies conventional boundaries.
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Cannonball Adderley
Phenix
A vibrant fusion of jazz styles, blending intricate melodies with soulful grooves and rich improvisation.
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Cannonball Adderley
Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley
Smooth vocal melodies intertwine with vibrant jazz instrumentation, creating a lush soundscape that balances sophistication and warmth.
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Herbie Hancock
Butterfly
A seamless blend of jazz-funk grooves and ethereal melodies that encapsulate the spirit of late '70s musical experimentation.
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Herbie Hancock
Sound-System
An adventurous blend of electro-funk and jazz rhythms, pushing the boundaries of sound through innovative synth textures.
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Miles Davis
Dig
A vibrant blend of cool and hard bop that showcases intricate melodies over dynamic rhythms.
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Miles Davis
Quintet / Sextet
A sophisticated interplay of cool and hard bop, blending intricate melodies with rhythmic complexity in a seamless sonic landscape.
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Adjacent sounds
By decade
Where modal jazz landed in each era.