Essential Jazz: 36 Classic Tracks by Jazz Music’s Greatest Artists

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

1.12 is mistakenly printed as "Angel Eyes" by Tal Farlow, it is actually "Blue Serge" by Stan Getz

Annotation last modified on 2025-04-28 10:02 UTC.

Tracklist

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1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Take Five
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1959-07-01)
alto saxophone:
Paul Desmond (on 1959-07-01)
double bass [bass]:
Eugene Wright (bass) (on 1959-07-01)
drums (drum set):
Joe Morello (on 1959-07-01)
piano:
Dave Brubeck (on 1959-07-01)
recorded at:
Columbia 30th Street Studio in Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1959-07-01)
recording of:
Take Five (original instrumental version) (on 1959-07-01)
composer:
Paul Desmond
publisher:
Derry Music Company, Desmond Music Company (Paul Desmond), Valentine Music Group Ltd., Valentine Music Verlag and シンコーミュージック・パブリッシャーズ (Shinko Music Publishing Co., Ltd.)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
Dave Brubeck4.55:27
2The Peanut Vendor
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra43:31
3God Bless the Child
recording of:
God Bless the Child
lyricist:
Billie Holiday
composer:
Arthur Herzog, Jr.
publisher:
Basart Editions (ended) and Edward B. Marks Music Co. (founded originally as J. Stern & Co. in 1894, renamed in 1919)
Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra42:57
4My Romance
double bass [bass]:
George Duvivier (from 1962-06-06 until 1962-06-07)
drums (drum set):
Clarence Johnston (from 1962-06-06 until 1962-06-07)
piano:
Hank Jones (piano) (from 1962-06-06 until 1962-06-07)
tenor saxophone:
Ben Webster (from 1962-06-06 until 1962-06-07)
instrumental recording of:
My Romance (from 1962-06-06 until 1962-06-07)
lyricist:
Lorenz Hart (in 1935)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1935)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Lorenz Hart Publishing Co., T.B. Harms Co., Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998), Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Williamson Music Company, シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
Jumbo
Ben Webster44:17
5A Foggy Day
cover recording of:
A Foggy Day (in London Town)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1937)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1937)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Chappell Music Ltd., Gershwin Publishing Corp, Warner Chappell North America Ltd. and WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28)
part of:
A Damsel in Distress (1937 film score)
George Benson42:34
6Night Train
Wild Bill Davis34:26
7Just Enough
double bass [bass]:
Ron Carter (US jazz double-bassist)
drums (drum set):
Marvin “Smitty” Smith (American jazz drummer and composer)
piano:
Herbie Hancock (US jazz pianist, keyboardist, bandleader and composer)
tenor saxophone:
Grover Washington, Jr.
cover recording of:
Just Enough (in 1988)
composer:
Herbie Hancock (US jazz pianist, keyboardist, bandleader and composer)
Grover Washington, Jr.45:43
8Beulah’s Boogie
recording of:
Beulah's Boogie
Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra43:46
9It Ain’t Necessarily So
producer:
John Hammond (producer)
bass:
Bill Lee (bassist, composer, father of Spike Lee) (on 1960-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Belton Evans (on 1960-12-19)
guitar:
Lord Westbrook (on 1960-12-19)
piano:
Ray Bryant (US jazz pianist, composer, and arranger) (on 1960-12-19)
tenor saxophone:
Warren Luckey (on 1960-12-19)
vocals:
Aretha Franklin (on 1960-12-19)
arranger:
J. Leslie McFarland (composer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1961)
cover recording of:
It Ain’t Necessarily So (jazz standard originally from Porgy and Bess; catch-all for unspecified pop and jazz arrangements) (on 1960-12-19)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Heyward (playwright) and DuBose Heyward
composer:
George Gershwin (composer)
publisher:
Chappell Music (ASCAP), Gershwin Publishing Corp, Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music), Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
was commissioned by:
Gershwin Publishing Corp (in 1935)
version of:
Porgy and Bess: Act II, Scene II. “It ain’t necessarily so” (Sportin’ Life)
Aretha Franklin42:57
10There Will Never Be Another You
double bass:
Pierre Michelot (on 1961-12-17)
drums (drum set):
Kenny Clarke (on 1961-12-17)
piano:
Bud Powell (on 1961-12-17)
instrumental recording of:
There Will Never Be Another You (on 1961-12-17)
lyricist:
Mack Gordon
composer:
Harry Warren (US composer and lyricist)
publisher:
Morley Music Corp.
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
Bud Powell44:26
11Flying Home
archtop guitar and electric guitar:
Charlie Christian (on 1939-10-02)
clarinet:
Benny Goodman (clarinetist and bandleader) (on 1939-10-02)
double bass:
Arthur Bernstein (on 1939-10-02)
drums (drum set):
Nick Fatool (on 1939-10-02)
piano:
Fletcher Henderson (on 1939-10-02)
vibraphone:
Lionel Hampton (on 1939-10-02)
recorded at:
Columbia Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1939-10-02)
recording of:
Flying Home (instrumental version) (on 1939-10-02)
composer:
Benny Goodman (clarinetist and bandleader) and Lionel Hampton
publisher:
Ragbag Music (ASCAP) and Regent Music (BMI)
Benny Goodman4.43:18
12Blue Serge
bass:
Mike Richmond (on 1977-09-13)
drums (drum set):
Billy Hart (US jazz drummer aka "Jabali" Billy Hart) (on 1977-09-13)
percussion:
Efrain Toro (on 1977-09-13)
piano and synthesizer:
Andy LaVerne (on 1977-09-13)
tenor saxophone:
Stan Getz (on 1977-09-13)
recorded at:
Mountain Recording Studios (original Montreux location, 1975–2002) in Montreux, Vaud (Canton of Vaud), Switzerland (on 1977-09-13)
Stan Getz43:42
13Isn’t She Lovely
instrumental cover recording of:
Isn’t She Lovely
lyricist and composer:
Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music, EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
recording of:
Isn’t She Lovely
lyricist and composer:
Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music, EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
Dexter Gordon43:25
14Cubano Chant
The Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble44:00
15In the Mood
recording of:
In the Mood
lyricist:
Andy Razaf
composer:
Wingy Manone
publisher:
Shapiro Bernstein and Co. Limited and Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント A事業部 (Shinko Music Entertainment, A Division)
is based on:
Tar Paper Stomp
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
The Glenn Miller Orchestra43:32
16On the Sunny Side of the Street
bass:
Dale Jones (bass, vocals) (on 1956-06-01)
clarinet:
Ed Hall (American jazz clarinetist, bandleader) (on 1956-06-01)
drums (drum set):
Barrett Deems (on 1956-06-01)
piano:
Billy Kyle (on 1956-06-01)
trombone:
Trummy Young (on 1956-06-01)
trumpet and lead vocals:
Louis Armstrong (on 1956-06-01)
recorded at:
Medinah Temple in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-06-01)
live recording of:
On the Sunny Side of the Street (on 1956-06-01)
lyricist:
Dorothy Fields (American librettist and lyricist)
composer:
Jimmy McHugh (songwriter)
publisher:
Ancar Enterprises Inc., Cotton Club Publishing, EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Lawrence Wright Music Co., Ltd., Memory Lane Music Ltd., Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Ltd., Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. and Vydia Music Publishing
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント A事業部 (Shinko Music Entertainment, A Division)
part of:
American Splendor
Louis Armstrong33:31
17Grasshopper
Quincy Jones44:33
18Summertime
recording of:
Summertime (American songbook standard from 1935 opera Porgy and Bess)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1934), Dorothy Heyward (playwright) (in 1934) and DuBose Heyward (in 1934)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1934)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Chappell Music Ltd., Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund Publishing, George Gershwin Music, New Dawn Music, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.), Warner/Chappell Music Holland BV, Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09), Ira Gershwin Music (in 1935), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (from 1935 until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
version of:
Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene I. “Summertime” (Clara)
Teddy Wilson and His Trio43:31
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Song From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)
engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
producer:
Creed Taylor
mixer:
Mark Wilder (US recording/mastering engineer)
double bass [bass]:
Ron Carter (US jazz double-bassist) (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Connie Kay (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
electric guitar [guitar]:
Ed Bickert (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
conductor:
Don Sebesky (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
arranger:
Don Sebesky
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Englewood Cliffs, July 20, 1959 –) in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
mixed at:
Sony Music Studios (NYC, closed 2007) in Hell's Kitchen, New York, New York, United States
cover recording of:
Suicide Is Painless (from 1974-09-24 until 1974-09-26)
lyricist:
Mike Altman
composer:
Johnny Mandel (American composer and arranger)
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., Twentieth Century Music Corp., WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
Paul Desmond43:04
2Time After Time
engineer and mixer:
Ron Lorman and Tom Swift (engineer)
co-producer:
Vince Wilburn, Jr. (drummer)
producer:
Miles Davis (jazz trumpeter, bandleader, songwriter) and Robert Irving III (keyboardist)
bass:
Darryl Jones (bassist for The Rolling Stones) (on 1984-01-26)
drums (drum set):
Al Foster (on 1984-01-26)
guitar:
John Scofield (US guitarist/composer) (on 1984-01-26)
percussion:
Steve Thornton (Percussionist) (on 1984-01-26)
synthesizer:
Robert Irving III (keyboardist) (on 1984-01-26)
trumpet:
Miles Davis (jazz trumpeter, bandleader, songwriter) (on 1984-01-26)
arranger:
Miles Davis (jazz trumpeter, bandleader, songwriter) and Robert Irving III (keyboardist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!)
recorded at:
The Record Plant (New York) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1984-01-26)
mixed at:
The Record Plant (New York) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States
instrumental cover recording of:
Time After Time (on 1984-01-26)
writer:
Rob Hyman and Cyndi Lauper
publisher:
Sony Songs Inc. (ended, ), CBS Songs Ltd., Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Dub Notes Music (publisher) (, in 1984), Gray Matter Music, Human Boy Music, Reilla Music Company, Rella Music Co. (publisher) (, in 1984), Rellla Music Corp., Sony Music Publishing (worldwide except Japan, ended 1995), Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music), Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell North America, WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan), Inc., A Division (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), Warner Brothers Music Ltd. (UK subsidiary, so named between 1970/01/23–1971/04/26 and 1972/04/25–1988/08/23), Warner/Chappell Music Japan, Synch division (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division) and Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (holding company – do not use as release label)
Miles Davis4.53:38
3Killer Joe
chromatic harmonica:
Toots Thielemans
recording of:
Killer Joe
composer:
Benny Golson (American jazz saxophonist and composer)
publisher:
Atlantic Music (US publishing company, affiliated with BMI)
Toots Thielemans45:49
4The Way You Look Tonight
recording of:
The Way You Look Tonight (from “Swing Time”)
publisher:
Jerome Kern (on 1936-07-24)
lyricist:
Dorothy Fields (American librettist and lyricist) (in 1936)
composer:
Jerome Kern (in 1936)
publisher:
Aldi Music Company, Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Chappell Music Ltd., Polygram Music, PolyGram Music Publishing Ltd., Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Ltd., Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc., The Songwriters Guild and Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998) (in 1936)
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
The 9th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1936 winner)
part of:
Swing Time (film)
Betty Carter22:46
5Girl Talk
Neal Hefti Chorus & Orchestra42:55
6Rockin’ in Rhythm
engineer:
Jerry Hudgins, George Massenburg and Brian Risner
co-producer:
Jaco Pastorius
producer:
Joe Zawinul (jazz and fusion keyboard player)
mixer:
Jerry Hudgins
bass:
Jaco Pastorius
drums (drum set):
Peter Erskine (US jazz drummer)
keyboard and synthesizer:
Joe Zawinul (jazz and fusion keyboard player)
percussion:
Robert Thomas, Jr. (jazz fusion percussionist)
saxophone:
Wayne Shorter (US jazz saxophonist and composer)
recorded at:
The Complex Studios in Los Angeles, California, United States
mixed at:
Devonshire Studios in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
cover recording of:
Rockin’ in Rhythm
composer:
Harry Carney, Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Irving Mills
is based on:
Kinda Dukish
Weather Report33:05
7Perfidia
instrumental recording of:
Perfidia
lyricist and composer:
Alberto Domínguez
Ahmad Jamal43:58
8Capricious
associate producer:
Gary Gladstone
baritone saxophone:
Gerry Mulligan (on 1962-06-30)
bass:
Ben Tucker
congas [conga drums]:
Alec Dorsey
double bass [bass]:
Ben Tucker (on 1962-06-30)
drums (drum set):
Dave Bailey (US jazz drummer) (on 1962-06-30)
piano:
Tommy Flanagan (on 1962-06-30)
recording of:
Capricious (on 1962-06-30)
composer:
Billy Taylor (jazz/bop pianist)
cover recording of:
Capricious (in 1962)
composer:
Billy Taylor (jazz/bop pianist)
Gerry Mulligan45:48
9The Jumpin’ Jive
recording of:
(Hep‐Hep!) The Jumpin’ Jive
writer:
Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba and Jack Palmer (Jazz pianist and composer)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing France and Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd.
Cab Calloway42:51
10Black Coffee
lead vocals:
Sarah Vaughan (on 1949-01-20)
orchestra:
Joe Lipman & His Orchestra (on 1949-01-20)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label)
recording of:
Black Coffee (1948 song) (on 1949-01-20)
lyricist:
Paul Francis Webster (in 1948)
composer:
Sonny Burke (Joseph Francis Burke, producer, songwriter and Big Band leader) (in 1948)
publisher:
BMG Music Publishing (NYC‐based headquarters, with national subsidiaries under it), Chelsea Music Publishing Co., Ltd., Sondot Music Corp. and Webster Music Co.
Sarah Vaughan4.53:19
11Love Walked In
recording of:
Love Walked In
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1937)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1930)
publisher:
Chappell & Co Ltd., Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996) and Gershwin Publishing Corp (in 1938)
part of:
The Goldwyn Follies
Chet Baker42:58
12Tickle Toe
recording of:
Tickle Toe
composer:
Lester Young (saxophonist)
Count Basie32:41
13Lemon Drop
recorded at:
Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1973-07-05)
instrumental cover recording of:
Lemon Drop
composer:
George Wallington
live instrumental cover recording of:
Lemon Drop
composer:
George Wallington
Ella Fitzgerald34:58
14The Preacher
recording of:
The Preacher
lyricist:
Babs Gonzales
composer:
Horace Silver
publisher:
Silhouette Music
Woody Herman34:40
15I Can’t Get Started
recording of:
I Can’t Get Started
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin
composer:
Vernon Duke
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Chappell’s • Sydney, Music Sales Corporation (American copyright holder in both popular and classical music) and Universal Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Dizzy Gillespie33:04
16Nightwind
Stéphane Grappelli44:23
17Ruby My Dear
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1965-03-02)
producer:
Teo Macero (American jazz saxophonist and composer)
piano:
Thelonious Monk (on 1965-03-02)
recording of:
Ruby, My Dear (on 1965-03-02)
composer:
Thelonious Monk (in 1948)
publisher:
Embassy Music Corporation
Thelonious Monk35:39

Credits

Release

rights society:BIEM (international rights organization representing member societies from 58 countries)
MCPS (UK rights society; do not use this as a label or work publisher!)
SDRM (Société pour l’administration du droit de reproduction mécanique, French mechanical reproduction rights society)
distributed by:Sony Music (global brand, excluding JP, owned by Sony Music Entertainment)
copyrighted (©) by and phonographic copyright (℗) by:Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1996)
licensed to:Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.)