Comments on: Criminally Underrated Jazz Musicians in History!

By: Carlos Espinoza

Carlos Espinoza — Mon, 19 May 2025 00:31:29 +0000

OLIVER NELSON!!!!!

By: Hope mason

Hope mason — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 13:55:11 +0000

I’m on a mission to preserve my brother’s legacy. Any tips or recommendations? He was a virtuoso playing Jazz, classical, and gospel. He played with Miles during the birthing of Fusion, MFSB during its inception, and with many more greats. He suffered from a illness and fell off the jazz scene.

By: Matt Fripp

Matt Fripp — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 16:00:05 +0000

In reply to Michael. Thanks Michael!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:24:37 +0000

I’m a jazz heavy, of almost 30 years, in just about every way you can think of!!! This is a great list. Jaki and Booker (@Auro) are habitually underrated. I would also add Andrew Hill.

By: Michael Kington

Michael Kington — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 01:27:13 +0000

I don’t know if he’s on the list but, Cal Tjader comes to mind. His versatility with the vibes and the body of work in “Latin Jazz” is outstanding. I was fortunate to see him live a few times in the 60’s and and again in late 70’s. I remember his recording of “Thinking of You MJQ” fooling Ralph Gleason in Downbeat magazine, making him declare that Tjader’s group was in fact the MJQ.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:51:11 +0000

Clare Fischer should be in the list of underrated jazz musicians. Be it for his compositions (f.e. Morning, Pensativa), his arrangements (f.e. Sergio Mendes The Great Arrival) or his piano playing (First Time Out, Alone Together), he was an extraordinary musician, whom I had the honor of knowing.

By: Auro

Auro — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:30:31 +0000

Booker Ervin – ts . with Mingus on many of his great albums (I have a soft spot for hearing him on Live in Wonderland) and as a leader. Overshadowed by Coltrane’s innovations of the time but a fantastic Texas tenor. All the ‘Book’ and Blue Note albums are quality, plus his most well known, That’s It. Booker and Brass has a special place for me as it’s different, as does the Cracklin’ Album with Roy Haynes. But I always go back to the simplicity, directness and sheer sound of Ervin’s solo on Home is Africa on Horace Parlan’s Happy Frame of Mind album on Blue Note.

The criminally unknown former wunderkind Eric Kloss – as. Almost nothing is available on digital platforms and the stuff that is is nowhere near the level of Consciousness, an album with Miles’ rhythm section, (Corea, Holland, DeJohnette – plus Pat Martino) which includes a nuts funk freak out cover of Donovan’s Sunshine Superman in 7/8.

There’s a long lost album of Ervin and Kloss together – In the Land of Giants

Jessica Williams – p. Another incredible talent plagued by inadequate attention and ill health.

By: Matt Fripp

Matt Fripp — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 17:45:37 +0000

In reply to Richard Smithston. Thanks Richard!

By: Stephen M Thompson

Stephen M Thompson — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 21:55:28 +0000

WOW! Not knowing these players is criminal.
I would like to proffer a few more listening opportunities for my fellow aural parolees.
1. Mark Murphy “Bop For Kerouac” Quintessential Mark
2. Kenny Dorham “Whistle Stop” Hard blowing with a stellar support cast 3. Bill Evans “Cross Currents” Warren Marsh will blow you away on this one

By: Richard Smithston

Richard Smithston — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:20:34 +0000

I only knew Jacki Byard. Excellent article! Thanks.