The First 5 Blue Note Jazz Records You Should Add to Your Collection

If you're new to jazz, but are reading this post, it's very likely that you've already had your first experience with jazz.

Perhaps like me, your preconceived notions about the music were wrong?

I didn't understand the scope of styles, dozens of sub-genres within jazz to discover, some better than others of course.

Everyone has their own tastes. Blue Note jazz of the 50's and 60's is the epicenter of instrumental jazz, so you'll need to investigate

 So many classic records on all labels, but Blue Note is the one label I couldn't live with out. Outside perhaps Miles Davis and his Columbia output, you won't find better small group jazz than on Blue Note.

Below I have chosen my 5 favorite from the label that fit into the traditional hard-bop style. The avant-garde/post bop style is also a passion of mine, but if you're just getting into jazz I think these 5 below are the best choices.

You won't stop at this five I am sure, so you can find many more classic in this blog, and a great articles with 25 albums that should be in every jazz collection.

Art Blakey: Moanin' - Blue Note 4003 

Blue Note 4003 recorded in 1958 may be the greatest jazz record of all time, hyperbole? Well, perhaps, but it is a darned good album.

Dominated by the great tenor saxophonist/composer Benny Golson, who wrote 4 of the tunes on the album.

"Along Came Betty", "Are You Real", "The Drum Thunder Suit", and "Blues March", were all written by Golson, they are all standards today.

Pianist Bobby Timmons'  contributes the best known standard here "Moanin", a jubilant blues call-and-response anthem that embodies the Blue Note Sound. Perhaps only John Coltrane's title track for his lone Blue Note Blue Train comes close?

John Coltrane: Blue Train - Blue Note 1577

John Coltrane's 1957 masterpiece was his only one recorded for Blue Note records, it's a classic. You'll hear Coltrane, trumpeter Lee Morgan, and trombonist Curtis Fuller as seriously kick-ass front line of horn players.

They do not hold back, the title track is one rapid-fire blowing session style solo after another. The title track, Locomotion, and "Lazy Bird" are also fine hard-bop pieces.

Dexter Gordon: One Flight Up - Blue Note 4176

One Flight Up is my personal favorite Dexter Gordon album, and the album's centerpiece is the Donald Byrd composition "Tanya".

 "Tanya" is breathtaking in how effective it is, for 17 minutes Gordon and Byrd both play some fantastic solos, with an easy strutting blues that sounds like Blue Note.

 The ballad "Darn that Dream" proves as well as any other tune, that Dex was the best ballad player of all the tenor men.

Herbie Hancock: Maiden Voyage - Blue Note 4195

Maiden Voyage from 1964 is little more advanced musically than the previous hard-bop albums highlighted here. More subtlety, and many different textures than on the typical hard-bop Blue Note date.

The title track, "Dolphin Dance", and "Eye of the Hurricane" are classics that push the hard-bop style ahead. I promise you, if you're new to jazz, and haven't ventured to far outside of safer styles, Maiden Voyage is a great start.

Lee Morgan: Vol: 3 - Blue Note 1557

Lee Morgan's Vol 3 is an underrated classic that doesn't get much pub.

Volume 3's claim to fame is that it's yet another classic example of Benny Golson's greatness.  He composes all 5 tunes on this wonderful album.

My favorite tune is "Hasaan's Dream" the Middle Eastern vibe is irresistible. I like this version of Golson's standard "I Remenber Clifford" too, Volume 3 is one of the better Blue Notes, and one of the most expensive to get as an original first press vinyl copy.