Sandra

Thats a good Q. Are you playing with a jazz group?  Play with a jazz group for fun but I am not following charts like the rest of the band. I just iisten to the tune if possible before to hear the form and then listen for the changes while playing the tune. Do you read charts?

I am late to reply to Tim's list but I am so glad he mentioned Brian Blade on Chick Corea's album Trilogy. Brian has such a unique sound and now that I know it I hear it on other recordings by other artists and its signature Blade!

That guy is amazing. The solo was phenomenal and all the while he looked so calm  

My intro album and still one of my faves  is Miles Davis - Kind of Blue. It may be a bit too over played by the masses but it was definitely my gateway drug to jazz. The drums are so understated and give so much to the music. 

Moanin’ by Art Blakey is pretty awesome too. So many great ones!