Can any Jazz afficionado's suggest a gift?

SeanC

Hey guys (n gals)

a friend (assuming, incorrectly :-[ as it turns out, that cos I play guitar I know everything about all genres of music) has asked me for advice on what to get a jazz fan for a special gift.

I have no idea whatsoever, so am wondering of any of you who know something about jazz could suggest a special gift (of an album I guess, or a book maybe). Googling the subject leads to an overload of info and given my limited knowledge, sorting through it all is something of a challenge.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

cheers
Sean

FruitarGeek

Does this Jazz fan play an instrument? Cause that would give a better suggestion of what album to buy

Guitar
Joe Pass
Wes Montgomery
Pat Martino
Pat Metheny
Al di meola (although he is more spanish)

Piano
Bill Evans
Duke Ellington + Count Bassie (Piano by trade, but are more orchestral\big band in nature)
Chick Corea
Oscar Peterson

Brass
Miles Davis
Dizzy Gilispie
Charles Parker
Chet Baker
John Coltrane
Louis Armstrong

Bass
Ray Brown
Carlos Mombelli

Singers
Ella Fitzgerald
Sarah Vaughn
Nancy Wilson
Chet Baker
Louis Armstrong

There are countless of artists, these are just the most famous ones. It depends on what type of Jazz this person is into. So maybe do more research on your side

Otherwise, look at this http://www.take2.co.za/dvd-ken-burns-jazz-626416.html <- Ive watched a few of these and they are GREAT. All Jazz appreciators must have this collection! This should be a safe bet to get.

domhatch

sheesh fruitargeek, great list! to the jazz guitar list, might i just suggest you add a personal favourite (and genius) charlie hunter. he plays an 8-string guitar, solo simultaneous bass and guitar. it's marvellous to listen to and almost as impossible to fathom as pat metheny. almost - but not quite.

good hunting sean
dh

Svengali

As far as books are concerned it may be a good idea to not get too specific, say with an biography on a certain musician which may involve a lot of reading, but rather go for something like a Dictionary of Jazz - something which could be browsed through with lots of info to be gleamed and could be valuable fior referencing.

Charlie4

There are some great Columbia deals on Take2 (Take A LOT). 25 bucks for great jazz albums, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck etc. or if you specifically know what they like a boxset might also be quite a nice gift.

SeanC

Guys, wow, great suggestions there, and an interesting mix too ?

thank you all for taking the time to respond.. I'm going to enjoy this process, and probably learn something into the bargain!

Cheers
Sean

domhatch

oh hey - another idea might be an itunes voucher and a list like fruitargeek's, and let your friend's jazz fan choose for him/herself. those statuettes are also awesome, have seen them lurking around (forget where, might have been a store in rosebank i think) and have been tempted myself.

man. this thread is making me wish xmas and my birthday were just a little closer...
dh