Instrumental Jazz Bands

[Irock]

I like instrumental jazz, like the stuff that was on Mister Rogers and sometimes The Cosby Show. Stuff like this and this minus the vocals. I want to listen to it, but I don't know of any. Does anybody know of any? ._.

[Kokowam]

Aren't most jazz bands just instrumental? P:

[Irock]

I wouldn't know.

[Moss.]

Try Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Stan Kenton (and his Orchestra), Benny Goodman (and his Orchestra), John Contrane, and Duke Ellington.

I put up a top 100 Jazz thread about 2 years ago. Sadly, all the links are down, and I wasn't the one to put them up. Just search for these guys in Google/YouTube and you'll know if you like them or not.

As for my favorites?

Herbie's old stuff is much more smooth jazzy. He gets more eletronic in the 70's and 80's, and comes back to standards a bit in the 90's and on. My favorite track is Cantaloupe Island.

Ellington is probably one of the most famous (aside from Miles). Most everyone knows or has heard Take the A Train or Caravan.

As for Miles, anything from the Kind of Blue album is pretty amazing. All feeling.

Coltrane is like the Yngwie Malmsteem of Jazz. Technical, but fun. I don't have any specific recommendations for you, here.

As for classic, full-band swing, Benny Goodman (Sing, Sing, Sing! EVERYBODY knows that one if they've ever watched Looney Toons.), Ellington (again), and Stan Kenton have a lot of really fantastic, upbeat jazz tracks.

Which leaves Thelonious Monk. He's more avant garde, but still a classic.

[Kokowam]

I find it kinda sad that I've heard a good amount of those names but have never really heard a song by them or can associate a sound to them.

The name "Contaloupe Island" reminds me of the title "Coconut Run." I'm looking at you, Zypher!

[Irock]

Thanks arlen!

I downloaded Herbie Hancock's first 10 years of albums, and I'll check out and get the rest later. I'm really enjoying this.

[Holkeye]

Candyrat records has a lot, and you can listen to samples of all their artists on their website.