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Jazz · 1960s

The Best Jazz Albums of the 1960s

Our pick of the essential jazz records released in the 1960s, ranked.

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  1. 1
    A Love SupremeJohn Coltrane

    A Love Supreme

    John Coltrane · 1965 · Jazz

    A four-part spiritual suite of overwhelming intensity and devotion, recorded by Coltrane's classic quartet. It moves from searching to ecstatic to serene. A towering statement that rewards close, uninterrupted listening.

  2. 2
    In a Silent WayMiles Davis

    In a Silent Way

    Miles Davis · 1969 · Jazz

    A serene, proto-ambient fusion landmark of hushed electric textures. Spacious and influential. A pivotal record.

  3. 3
    Sketches of SpainMiles Davis

    Sketches of Spain

    Miles Davis · 1960 · Jazz

    A lush orchestral collaboration with Gil Evans blending jazz and Spanish classical. Gorgeous and singular. A beloved record.

  4. 4
    Giant StepsJohn Coltrane

    Giant Steps

    John Coltrane · 1960 · Jazz

    A dazzling display of harmonic ambition, its title track a rite of passage for every aspiring jazz player. The writing is brilliant and the playing fearless. A cornerstone of bebop's evolution.

  5. 5
    Sunday at the Village VanguardBill Evans

    Sunday at the Village Vanguard

    Bill Evans · 1961 · Jazz

    An intimate live trio recording of extraordinary interplay, captured shortly before bassist Scott LaFaro's death. Lyrical and conversational. One of the great piano-trio documents.

  6. 6
    Waltz for DebbyBill Evans

    Waltz for Debby

    Bill Evans · 1962 · Jazz

    From the same legendary Vanguard afternoon, all delicacy and dialogue between three musicians listening hard. Tender and timeless. A desert-island jazz record.

  7. 7
    The Black Saint and the Sinner LadyCharles Mingus

    The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady

    Charles Mingus · 1963 · Jazz

    An ambitious, through-composed suite blending jazz, classical and flamenco into something cinematic and intense. Singular even within Mingus's catalogue. A bold, rewarding listen.

  8. 8
    Speak No EvilWayne Shorter

    Speak No Evil

    Wayne Shorter · 1965 · Jazz

    Elegant, mysterious post-bop with an all-star band, balancing accessibility and depth. Beautifully composed. A Blue Note classic.

  9. 9
    Out to Lunch!Eric Dolphy

    Out to Lunch!

    Eric Dolphy · 1964 · Jazz

    Angular, adventurous avant-bop that still sounds startling, played by a fearless band. Challenging and rewarding. A landmark of the new thing.

  10. 10
    Getz/GilbertoStan Getz and João Gilberto

    Getz/Gilberto

    Stan Getz and João Gilberto · 1964 · Jazz

    The album that brought bossa nova to the world, smooth and sun-dappled, introducing 'The Girl from Ipanema'. Effortlessly beautiful. A massive, enduring success.

  11. 11
    I Put a Spell on YouNina Simone

    I Put a Spell on You

    Nina Simone · 1965 · Jazz

    A commanding set spanning jazz, soul and chanson, sung with unmatched gravity. 'Feeling Good' anchors it. Essential Simone.

  12. 12
    NefertitiMiles Davis

    Nefertiti

    Miles Davis · 1968 · Jazz

    A peak of the second great quintet, melody and rhythm subtly inverted. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A modern-jazz landmark.

  13. 13
    My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane

    My Favorite Things

    John Coltrane · 1961 · Jazz

    A landmark soprano-sax reinvention of the show tune into hypnotic modal jazz. Inventive and beloved. A genre touchstone.

  14. 14
    BalladsJohn Coltrane

    Ballads

    John Coltrane · 1963 · Jazz

    A tender, lyrical record of standards played with restraint. Beautiful and beloved. A gentle entry point.

  15. 15
    Portrait in JazzBill Evans

    Portrait in Jazz

    Bill Evans · 1960 · Jazz

    The trio's debut, introducing the conversational interplay that changed jazz piano. Lyrical and influential. A cornerstone.

  16. 16
    The SidewinderLee Morgan

    The Sidewinder

    Lee Morgan · 1964 · Jazz

    A funky, danceable hard-bop hit built on an irresistible title-track groove. Accessible and infectious. A crossover classic.

  17. 17
    Song for My FatherHorace Silver

    Song for My Father

    Horace Silver · 1965 · Jazz

    Soulful, Latin-tinged hard bop with one of jazz's most recognisable basslines. Warm and groovy. An accessible classic.

  18. 18
    Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock

    Maiden Voyage

    Herbie Hancock · 1965 · Jazz

    An elegant, oceanic post-bop classic with an unforgettable title track. Cohesive and beautifully played by an all-star band. A graceful entry point to Blue Note.

  19. 19
    Empyrean IslesHerbie Hancock

    Empyrean Isles

    Herbie Hancock · 1964 · Jazz

    A spare, adventurous quartet date, home to 'Cantaloupe Island'. Inventive and beloved. A Blue Note gem.

  20. 20
    JujuWayne Shorter

    Juju

    Wayne Shorter · 1965 · Jazz

    A modal, Coltrane-influenced peak of mysterious composition. Bold and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.

  21. 21
    The Real McCoyMcCoy Tyner

    The Real McCoy

    McCoy Tyner · 1967 · Jazz

    A powerful post-Coltrane peak of muscular modal piano. Dynamic and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.

  22. 22
    Page OneJoe Henderson

    Page One

    Joe Henderson · 1963 · Jazz

    A strong hard-bop debut, home to 'Recorda Me' and 'Blue Bossa'. Tuneful and beloved. A Blue Note favourite.

  23. 23
    Idle MomentsGrant Green

    Idle Moments

    Grant Green · 1965 · Jazz

    A mellow, late-night Blue Note gem of warm guitar and space. Smooth and beloved. A perfect mood record.

  24. 24
    The BridgeSonny Rollins

    The Bridge

    Sonny Rollins · 1962 · Jazz

    A comeback after his famous sabbatical, sharp and assured. Strong and acclaimed. A return to form.

  25. 25
    Free Jazz: A Collective ImprovisationOrnette Coleman

    Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation

    Ornette Coleman · 1961 · Jazz

    The double-quartet landmark that named free jazz. Radical and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  26. 26
    KarmaPharoah Sanders

    Karma

    Pharoah Sanders · 1969 · Jazz

    A transcendent spiritual-jazz statement built around the side-long 'The Creator Has a Master Plan'. Ecstatic and immersive. A genre cornerstone.

  27. 27
    GoDexter Gordon

    Go

    Dexter Gordon · 1962 · Jazz

    A relaxed, swinging hard-bop peak of big-toned tenor. Warm and assured. A Blue Note favourite.

  28. 28
    Miles SmilesMiles Davis

    Miles Smiles

    Miles Davis · 1967 · Jazz

    A peak of the second quintet's elastic, exploratory post-bop. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A landmark.

  29. 29
    CrescentJohn Coltrane

    Crescent

    John Coltrane · 1964 · Jazz

    A reflective, spiritual peak of the classic quartet. Beautiful and acclaimed. A prelude to A Love Supreme.

  30. 30
    MeditationsJohn Coltrane

    Meditations

    John Coltrane · 1966 · Jazz

    A fierce, spiritual free-jazz peak. Intense and acclaimed. A late landmark.

  31. 31
    Tijuana MoodsCharles Mingus

    Tijuana Moods

    Charles Mingus · 1962 · Jazz

    A vivid, colourful peak of large-group invention. Bold and beloved. A high point.

  32. 32
    ExplorationsBill Evans

    Explorations

    Bill Evans · 1961 · Jazz

    A lyrical trio peak of conversational interplay. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

  33. 33
    Solo MonkThelonious Monk

    Solo Monk

    Thelonious Monk · 1965 · Jazz

    An intimate solo-piano peak of idiosyncratic touch. Singular and beloved. A high point.

  34. 34
    Speak Like a ChildHerbie Hancock

    Speak Like a Child

    Herbie Hancock · 1968 · Jazz

    A gentle, impressionistic peak of lush harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A Blue Note gem.

  35. 35
    Adam's AppleWayne Shorter

    Adam's Apple

    Wayne Shorter · 1967 · Jazz

    A warm, melodic post-bop peak, home to 'Footprints'. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.

  36. 36
    Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at 'The Club'Cannonball Adderley

    Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at 'The Club'

    Cannonball Adderley · 1967 · Jazz

    A soulful, funky live peak, home to its gospel-tinged title hit. Joyful and beloved. A crossover classic.

  37. 37
    Search for the New LandLee Morgan

    Search for the New Land

    Lee Morgan · 1966 · Jazz

    An ambitious, modal-leaning peak of adventurous hard bop. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

  38. 38
    Change of the CenturyOrnette Coleman

    Change of the Century

    Ornette Coleman · 1960 · Jazz

    A bold free-jazz peak of melodic liberation. Inventive and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

  39. 39
    We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now SuiteMax Roach

    We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite

    Max Roach · 1960 · Jazz

    A fierce civil-rights jazz statement of protest and power. Urgent and historic. A landmark record.

  40. 40
    Point of DepartureAndrew Hill

    Point of Departure

    Andrew Hill · 1964 · Jazz

    An adventurous post-bop peak of knotty composition and stellar players. Challenging and rewarding. A Blue Note gem.

  41. 41
    UnityLarry Young

    Unity

    Larry Young · 1965 · Jazz

    A landmark of modal jazz organ. Inventive and beloved. A Blue Note classic.

  42. 42
    The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes MontgomeryWes Montgomery

    The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery

    Wes Montgomery · 1960 · Jazz

    A landmark of warm, octave-rich jazz guitar. Smooth and influential. A genre touchstone.

  43. 43
    John Coltrane and Johnny HartmanJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

    John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman

    John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman · 1963 · Jazz

    A sublime ballads collaboration of tenor and baritone voice. Tender and timeless. A romantic classic.

  44. 44
    Money JungleDuke Ellington, Charles Mingus & Max Roach

    Money Jungle

    Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus & Max Roach · 1963 · Jazz

    A spirited, tense summit of three giants. Bold and acclaimed. A singular record.

  45. 45
    Live at the Village VanguardJohn Coltrane

    Live at the Village Vanguard

    John Coltrane · 1962 · Jazz

    A fiery live document of the classic quartet pushing outward. Intense and acclaimed. A landmark.

  46. 46
    Blues & RootsCharles Mingus

    Blues & Roots

    Charles Mingus · 1960 · Jazz

    A raucous, gospel-and-blues-charged peak of collective fire. Bold and beloved. A high point.

  47. 47
    Free for AllArt Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

    Free for All

    Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers · 1964 · Jazz

    A fiery, hard-driving hard-bop peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.

  48. 48
    CornbreadLee Morgan

    Cornbread

    Lee Morgan · 1967 · Jazz

    A soulful hard-bop peak, home to 'Ceora'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.

  49. 49
    Soul StationHank Mobley

    Soul Station

    Hank Mobley · 1960 · Jazz

    A perfectly poised hard-bop peak of warm tenor. Smooth and beloved. A Blue Note classic.

  50. 50
    Midnight BlueKenny Burrell

    Midnight Blue

    Kenny Burrell · 1963 · Jazz

    A relaxed, bluesy guitar gem of late-night cool. Smooth and beloved. A perfect mood record.

  51. 51
    Smokin' at the Half NoteWes Montgomery

    Smokin' at the Half Note

    Wes Montgomery · 1965 · Jazz

    A peak of live jazz guitar with a swinging rhythm section. Warm and beloved. A genre classic.

  52. 52
    Spiritual UnityAlbert Ayler

    Spiritual Unity

    Albert Ayler · 1965 · Jazz

    A raw, foundational free-jazz landmark of overblown tenor and feeling. Intense and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  53. 53
    Hub-TonesFreddie Hubbard

    Hub-Tones

    Freddie Hubbard · 1962 · Jazz

    A vibrant hard-bop peak of fiery trumpet. Bold and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.