r/ModernJazz • u/flannellyoconnor • 7d ago
Discussion "Country Jazz" Recommendations
I was wondering if anyone could recommend some contemporary players (or overlooked/not obvious 20th-century ones) who are operating in that kind of "soul-country-jazz" territory that Keith Jarrett can get into sometimes.
I've spent some time researching this on my own, and [read Ethan Iverson on Keith Jarrett](https://ethaniverson.com/shades-of-jazz-keith-jarrett-charlie-haden-paul-motian-dewey-redman/). He identifies Vince Guaraldi and Ramsey Lewis on influences on Jarrett's gospel-y sounds, but their stuff isn't QUITE what I'm looking for.
Really it might just be Keith's "Catholic school boy shit" as Miles [reportedly once called it](https://londonjazznews.com/2020/08/27/miles-davis-the-lost-septet-from-1971/), but I guess if I had to triangulate a sound that *didn't* involve Keith, it might something between like, [Floyd Kramer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X08orJN4oJw), [Hargus Robbins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYIi0rAc5yc), Ramsey Lewis, and like, Ray Charles' playing on his "country" records?
I did really like [this record from Binker Golding](https://binkergolding.bandcamp.com/album/dream-like-a-dogwood-wild-boy) that brings in some cool Americana touches like slide guitar, but I was hoping to get some new recommendations from y'all -- thanks!
Edit: I am familiar with Western swing, probably should have used “Americana” more than country as a descriptor but regardless thanks all!
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u/SurfLikeASmurf 7d ago
Buddy Emmons (from Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours - their entire discography is amazeballs!!) recorded an album called Pedal Steel Jazz that has some really tasty nuggets. In 1979 he recorded an album with Lenny Breau that is also stellar.
Speaking of Ernest Tubb, a lot of his musicians were really swinging cats who had serious jazz chops. Buddy Charleton was his other pedal steel player and off course the incomparable Leon Rhodes his guitar player. There are several compilations of their instrumental tracks as Ernest loved showing off his band members’ musical prowess
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u/greazy_spoon 7d ago
Try Danny gatton, or look up sacred steel guitar....
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u/Amazing_Ear_6840 7d ago
More in the Americana vein rather than Jarrett-esque, Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau's self-titled album might be worth a listen.
Also tending more towards a folk-jazz feel, but I thought Fergus McCreadie's Cairn had something of that Jarrett sound in parts.
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u/Starthrower62 7d ago
Check out some early Gary Burton. And Scofield's Country for Old Men. And later day Bill Frisell. His Nashville album from 1997 is where he changed direction.
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u/Amnesiac_R 7d ago
Harold Bradley's solo albums are fantastic, although they lean a bit more straight-instrumental rather than jazz.
Area Code 615 is legendary and should be listened to by everyone.
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u/HarpTele6954 7d ago edited 7d ago
“Country Guitar”- Phil Baugh
“Brisbane Bop”- Jimmy Rivers
Doug Jernigan plays a sweet/mean steel on “Roadside Rag”
Thumbs Carllile had an adventurous mind, and his “Gemini Records” GR-101, “On His Own” is worth your search…
Another guitarist I love is Hardrock Gunter, whom I first discovered by purchasing a Nashville/Starday release, “Country Guitar”
Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant
“Hillbilly Jazz”- on the Flying Fish label has enough licks to keep any discerning set of ears engaged throughout its double album set…
Lastly, Charlie Rich is/was a truly brilliant, and somewhat underrated musical mind, the more you listen, the more you want to hear more.
…and since you mentioned Jarrett, you might consider an early ESP-Disk recording of the Paul Bley Trio, “Closer” ESP 1021
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u/RegisterAshamed1231 5d ago
Western Swing and Jazz were more closely related in the past. You'll find many steel guitar players played and recorded in both genres...and beyond of you want to go down the 'steel guitar' rabbit hole. The recordings can be more niche, and harder to find.
This album immediately came to mind: https://www.discogs.com/release/12574268-John-Jerry-Case-Maurice-Anderson-2-Tommy-Morrell-Sextet-Sessions
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u/ocripes 5d ago
Guitarist George Barnes did an album called “County Jazz.” A brilliant guitar player.
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u/Astoria_Dude 3d ago
Everybody mentions that album until they actually listen to it. Usually side a is enough.
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u/ShamPain413 5d ago
Charles Lloyd and the Marvels had three Blue Note albums semi-recently. The band features Bill Frisell heavily, and has included steel guitarist Greg Leisz, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Jason Moran, etc.
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u/Own_Win_6762 1d ago
Bela Fleck comes to mind, as does some of Chris Thile's projects including Punch Brothers. Both are on the bluegrass end of country.
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u/Blue22Studio 7d ago
I have dabbled in this sort of thing. You can listen to my songs, Alchemy, and Space Lightning, on most streaming services and YouTube.
Within the next month or two, I will be releasing a true country jazz/soul/noir style tune that I’m proud of!
If you’d like to follow my story (overcoming a huge fear and doubt to embrace music for the first time ever in my 50s), you can visit my website in my profile. My name is Heather Smith. Thanks for reading!
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u/le_sweden 7d ago
I think you would really like these records
Brian Blade Fellowship - Perceptual, Landmarks (then the rest of the discography!!
Julian Lage - World’s Fair
Pat Metheny - One Quiet Night
You may or may not like these but I like what you do for some of the reasons you do and think you might be interested in one or more of these
Lage Lund - Terrible Animals
Lionel Loueke - Heritage
John Scofield - A Go Go