Wynton Marsalis plays trumpet in 2003. Photograph: Rafa Rivas/AFP/GETTYIMAGES
Written by Kevin Kniestedt
This list, which took the better part of four years, was inspired by those who said that jazz was limited to a certain style or type of performer. The idea behind this list was not to create a “best” albums list, but rather a extensive list of albums that covered as much of jazz history as possible.
Even after posting 1,000 albums, this list is really only a sample of the history of this great art form.
Hopefully you will find some great music you have never heard before and add to your collection.
Here are the first 5 albums. View the entire list here!
Enjoy!
1. 
Standard Time Volume 1 – Wynton Marsalis (Columbia, 1986)
2. 
Moanin’ – Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (Blue Note, 1958)
3. 
Live in Paris – Diana Krall (Verve, 2002)
4. 
Heavy Weather – Weather Report (Columbia/Legacy, 1977)
5. 
Prime Time – Count Basie and His Orchestra (Pablo, 1977)