Five MUST HAVE Pandora stations for the new jazz listener

by FunkDruid

When starting out on my journey to the great jazz snob kingdom in the sky, I had a few friends who were into jazz spit me some Pandora stations that would set me up, and here I am giving all of you my list of the top 5.

1.George Shearing:
Oh Georgie. George and his hot and heavy fast jazz piano is the perfect music to play at a party or a shindig to prove to people that you just so happen to be the cat’s pajamas (lingo and all). Having been one of the premier jazz pianists in the 50’s and 60’s, not all the recordings of his music are in tip top shape, but it sounds just fine on Pandora most of the time. George’s style was so obvious and clear cut that for years people imitated him and you can clearly hear that in the songs they group with George on the station.

2. Sammy Nestico:
Sammy is the first name in the book when you look up “Big Band” to me. Being one of my first experiences with big band style, Sammy is here to stay. All the other composers that they link Sammy with on his swing filled station go together just fine. Being a world apart from Shearing isn’t exactly a bad thing, for Sammy’s music gets to explore the multiple sounds and ideas that multiple instruments can make up. Definitely one to check out.

3. Count Basie:
Basie is the King of Swing. Hands down. There really isn’t much to really say about Count, he really just is one of those people you need to listen to for any sense of understanding. Old, early to mid 20th century swing jazz. It’s like writing a report on how shoes work. Everyone just knows what it’s like, unless you just so happen to have never worn shoes.

4. Frank Sinatra:
Another obvious artist. Blessed with his perfect, smoky jazz voice Frank melts the hearts of everyone. His jam packed with talent station will find music to please just about anyone. Michael Buble, Bing Crosby, Bill Winters, Nat King Cole and many more grace this station with their wonderful voices. Vocal jazz in and of itself is a very different beast from just about any other form of jazz, but it still has a very warm, special place in my heart.

5. John Coltrane:
This smooth sax station is perfect for the rainy day alone to studying in the sun, to being newly in love or even a recent heartbreak. It fits just about anywhere you can squeeze it and that’s probably why I love this station so much. The variety on this station is quite wide seeing as how Coltrane was a writer and composer for many artists and got around quite well in his day.

Well, theres my five stations, so go add them to your list and educate yourself in some jazz.