How did it all began? What was the very first New Age Music album? Well, there is a wide consensus that New Age Music began in experimental jazz, with influences from early Electronic and avant-garde music of the late 50s/early 60s. In all of this there is one album that is being mentioned over and over again (for instance on Hearts of Space and more recently on Wikipedia’s New Age Music article) and that is jazz clarinetist Tony Scott’s Music for Zen Meditation, released in February 1964. It is a wonderful and relaxing album that any new age music fan ought to check out.

Tony Scott (1921-2007) worked with such artists as Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie, and made a name for himself as a respected jazz soloist too. But it was his interests in Far East cultures that gave him an introduction to traditional oriental instruments and meditation. This resulted in a jam session like no other  – creating a totally new and different sound.  

Listening to Music for Zen Meditation today it is easy to pinpoint the more jazzy aspects of the release – but back then, the unknown sounds of New Age Music was all people could hear. It was clearly not a Jazz album.

While the flute and trumpet hit some of the jazz blue notes, the combination with other instruments (like the harp) create something new.

Music for Zen Meditation is – as the title implies – one of those albums instantly takes your mind on a journey to a relaxing, beautiful place – a sphere of your own. It is great background music too. But use with caution: there is a strong dose of melancholia here

And if people ask; are you listening to one of those cheap, uninspired meditation albums – you proudly say; no, this is a classical Jazz album from 1964!   

Sample the album on Amazon or iTunes. See the Wikipedia article about it here - and Tony Scott’s homepage.