Favorite old school blues, jazz and gospel artists? Who do you love? Any particular songs?

The jazz singer himself – Al Jolson.

I love Miles Davis. His 35 minute piece And He Loved Him Madly is awesome. Miles Davis Kind of Blue is a great CD.

Of course, my taste in jazz is all over the map. I recently discovered Christian McBride, and can’t get enough of that.

I can never get enough of Otis Redding – Sitting on the dock of the bay.

Old school, BB King’s “Live and Well” is one of the greatest albums of all time. I also second Miles Davis, and recently I’ve taken a liking to Dave Brubeck (classic jazz piano, simply amazing). For some other classic jazz, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.

I guess jazz fusion is considered old school nowadays. In that case Jean Luc Ponty is worth checking out.

I grew up on 1970s gospel. Wasn’t no “blues” (= secular music of any kind, including classical) in our house (that my aunt knew of)!

Anyhoo. Tramaine Hawkins and her now ex-husband Walter had some really great stuff. Look for the Love Alive series of live albums or anything by her solo. She had some crossover pop hits, too, back in the 80s.

Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace from 1972 is a classic of the genre. She totally rips it up on “Old Landmark.”

Andraé Crouch’s song “Soon and Very Soon” was used yesterday at some famous guy’s memorial service.

The Mighty Clouds of Joy actually had a crossover disco hit with “Ride The Mighty High” in the 70s.

Also when I was little, there was an AM radio station that would play the really old stuff from the 40s and 50s, so I heard The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Mahalia Jackson, The Jackson Southernaires, etc.

But one of my favourite, favourite, favourite old gospel songs is Rough Side of the Mountain, made in the 70s, but had that totally old-fashioned “down home” sound. And I don’t even believe in God. It’s all right, chillun.

Jazz? Try some Jaco Pastorius. Coltrane, Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong (his “hot” styles from the 20s and 30s), Art Tatum and Dizzy Gillespie. Oh, and Charlie Parker.

Blues: Louis Jordan, Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Son House, Ma Rainey

Buddy Guy is my all time favorite. I also enjoy Nina Simone.

@aprilsimnel wish that I could give you beaucoup de lurve..

One of my all-time old favorites is the album with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald that includes, Let’s Fall in Love, which was the soundtrack for my romance with my husband. (Click pla on track 17; they are all screwed up.)

There are so many great ones.

Same goes with the blues. I love Howlin’ Wolf, whose Smokestack Lightning is amazing.

The incomparable Robert Johnson’s Crossroad Blues.

B.B. King The Thrill Is Gone.

Lead Belly. Anything. Here is his Where Did You Sleep Last Night.

Muddy Waters Newport I Got My Mojo Workin

Ma Rainey See See Rider

School days by Stanley Clark(e) the guy is amazing.

I could go on and on, but one of my all time favorites is Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters

link to song

@drClaw Love that one!

@drClaw @Marina I agree. Great song!

Yay for Mannish Boy!

Elvis’ gospel double album is pretty good.

Take Five by Dave Brubeck. An all-time classic jazz song and very recognizable.

The In Crowd – Ramsey Lewis

Feels So Good – Chuck Mangione

Why has nobody mentioned Ella Fitzgerald yet? Or Nat King Cole? Or even the Manhattan Transfer? Gotta love their Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

@Saturated_Brain. If we’re going with the Manhattan Transfer, we’re definitely going to have to throw in Route 66, The Boy from New York City, Birdland, and Tuxedo Junction to go along with A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

Every one of them are great songs and nice choice going with the Manhattan Transfer.

@Bluefreedom Oh definitely. Although I’m more a fan of the Twilight Zone.

And I can’t believe I forgot Astrud Gilberto. Quiet night of quiet stars… Oooohh….

Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz – The Girl from Ipanema. Classic.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 – Mas Que Nada

Herb Alpert – Rise, Route 101

Hahaha. I remember that once I actually memorised the Portuguese part of the song, just because I thought that it sounded lovely. I’m listening to it right now. =P

You know, Vince Guaraldi made some stupendous records, both with his Trio and with Bola Sete. He’s a lot more than just the guy who made Charlie Brown music for the specials. Start with Black Orpheus. Just some stunning stuff.

@Saturated_Brain I did mention Ella.

@Marina Oh man… Apologies for that. In which case, I shall change it to Billie Holiday (I checked, she hasn’t been mentioned yet)!

@Saturated_Brain Isn’t the young Ella magical? Billie: Excellent choice. I wanted to add a link to Strange Fruit, but it is such a heartbreaking song. Important though.

When I get some time later today, I’m going to check out all of your suggestions (if I’m able to find them online). There are a few artists here that I’ve never heard of. Looking forward to havin’ a listen. Thanks, everyone!!

@Marina Oh man that is so heartfelt…. Have you listened to Autumn in New York too? That’s how I first found her.

And what about the Ella singing the Gershwin songbook? What an amazing album..

I love this version of Summertime.

Niicee.. But here’s an Ella Fitzgerald/Manhattan Transfer performance of How High the Moon I think you’ll like.

@Saturated_Brain That made me smile. Last time I heard Manhattan Transfer in concert it was outdoors on a pier in summer in Seattle. Wonderful!

@Marina Sigh… Too bad we don’t really have that sort of music nowadays eh?

Before she did that annoying skat stuff, Ella Fitzgerald did some amazing vocal work in the early jazz and blues days. She had a voice as beautiful as I have ever heard.