What is the best jazz album of the 1960s?

The 1960s exploded with jazz innovation: modal experiments, free-form improvisation, hard bop reaching its peak, and boundary-pushing artists redefining what music could be. Cast your vote for the album that captured it all.

1. 1
   A Love Supreme

   John Coltrane's 1964 spiritual suite — the most important jazz album of the decade.
2. 2
   Giant Steps

   John Coltrane's 1960 harmonic tour-de-force that changed saxophone playing forever.
3. 3
   Waltz for Debby

   Bill Evans Trio's 1961 live classic — lyrical piano trio at its absolute peak.
4. 4
   Out to Lunch!

   Eric Dolphy's 1964 avant-garde masterpiece — angular, adventurous, ahead of its time.
5. 5
   Speak No Evil

   Wayne Shorter's 1964 post-bop essential with Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock.
6. 6
   Maiden Voyage

   Herbie Hancock's 1965 modal masterpiece — oceanic, serene, endlessly influential.
7. 7
   The Sidewinder

   Lee Morgan's 1964 boogaloo hit that became Blue Note's biggest-selling single.
8. 8
   The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady

   Charles Mingus's 1963 symphonic jazz suite — ambitious, theatrical, profound.
9. 9
   Free Jazz

   Ornette Coleman's 1961 double-quartet improvisation that named a whole movement.
10. 10
    Ascension

    John Coltrane's 1966 collective-improvisation masterwork — spiritual jazz unleashed.
11. 11
    Song for My Father

    Horace Silver's 1965 soul-jazz classic, later sampled by Steely Dan's 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'.
12. 12
    The Real McCoy

    McCoy Tyner's 1967 Blue Note debut after Coltrane — modal jazz at its most powerful.
13. 13
    Spiritual Unity

    Albert Ayler Trio's 1964 free-jazz lightning bolt — pure raw emotional intensity.
14. 14
    Idle Moments

    Grant Green's 1963 late-night Blue Note masterpiece — smoky, patient, perfect.
15. 15
    Wes Montgomery - Full House

    Wes Montgomery's 1962 live album — guitar mastery with a top rhythm section.