Survey of Jazz Performers This is a presentation of important jazz figures, both past and present.
Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) One of the greatest trumpet players of all time. One of the first to play improvised solos. Revolutionized American singing, invented scat singing. Performed regularly until his death in 1971. His Hot 5 and Hot 7 recordings are regarded as some of the best recorded examples of early jazz. Dinah
Duke Ellington (1899-1971) Popularized the Big Band instrumentation. Kept his big band together for over 50 years, playing only his compositions. One of the most important composers of American music. Teamed with Billy Strayhorn to write some of the most enduring jazz standards. Take the A Train
Count Basie (1904-1984) Piano Player and Big Band Leader Popularized the blues (fast, groovin, slow, etc) Big band did not use arrangements, just head charts and riffs. Like Ellington, kept his band together for over 50 years. 1:00 Jump
Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969) Popularized the use of the saxophone in mainstream jazz. Nickname Bean Loved cutting contests especially against Lester Young. His recording of Body and Soul rarely states the melody, yet sold over 500,000 copies and forshadowed the be-bop era. Body and Soul
Charlie Parker (1920-1955) Alto Sax player and prolific composer, nickname Bird. Revolutionized jazz bringing in the be-bop era. Played really fast, make any line work over any chord. Wrote many tunes, using existing chord progressions. Died very young (35). Hot House
Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) Real name John Birks Gillespie One of the greatest trumpeters of all time. Along with Charlie Parker, helped promote be-bop. Incorporated Cuban influences in his music. One of the greatest jazz teachers. Manteca
Miles Davis (1926-1991) One of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Played trumpet, one of the greatest melodic improvisers. Pioneered many styles: cool, modal and fusion. Always surrounded himself with great musicians. So What
Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) Influential pianist and composer. Prolific composer, many of his tunes are used today. Unique percussive piano style, very logical. Strange personality, be-bop champion. Round Midnight
John Coltrane (1926-1967) Influential Jazz Tenor saxophonist. Gained fame playing in Miles first great quintet. Championed the Avant-Guard movement of the 60 s Totally uncompromising solos with endless sheets of sound On Green Dolphin Street
Art Blakey (1919-1990) Jazz Drummer and bandleader. Formed the Jazz Messengers in the 1950 s and kept the group fresh with new talent until his death in 1990. The Messengers popularized the style hard-bop which is still widely played by jazz musicians today. A list of jazz messengers reads like a who s who of jazz, including Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, etc. Drum Solo
Sonny Rollins (1930- ) Considered one of the all time great tenor saxophonists. Dropped out of music from time to time to practice! Made a series of records for Riverside, Blue Note and Prestige in the 50 s that established him is as a true jazz giant. Made Tenor Madness with friendly rival John Coltrane. St. Thomas
Clifford Brown (1930-1956) Great trumpet player, died very young (25) in a car accident. Lived clean, no drinking, smoking or drugs. Formed a group with drummer Max Roach that made some brilliant recordings in the 1950 s. Spectacular lines and phrases. Oh Lady Be Good
Charlie Christian (1916-1942) First important electric guitarist. Played with Benny Goodman s influential quintet. Played fluent be-bop lines on the guitar. Jammed at Minton s Playhouse, holding his own with Monk, Gillespie & Parker. Swing to Bop
Julian Cannonball Adderley (1928-1975) Brilliant blusey Alto Saxophonist. Part of Miles Davis 1 st great quintet (along with John Coltrane) Contributed blusey lines with Coltrane s weirdness. Made many influential recordings for Riverside with his own quintet. Work Song
Ornette Coleman (1930- ) Championed the Avant-guard movement of the 1960 s. Made an influential recording in 1960 called Free Jazz consisting of two quintets improvising with no pre-arranged melody or chord progressions. Made several more recordings like this, never compromising. Leonard Bernstein proclaimed Ornette a genius Free Jazz
Herbie Hancock (1940- ) One of the most revered jazz pianists. Gained fame in Miles Davis 2 nd great quintet of the 60 s. Played in many styles, including fusion, free, r & b, disco, etc. Continuously experimenting with electronic keyboards. Maiden Voyage
Bill Evans (1929-1980) Highly influential and introspective jazz pianist. Mixed impressionism with jazz. Played with Miles Davis on the Kind of Blue session, adding elegance to the session. Formed a famous trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. Waltz for Debby
Joe Henderson (1937-2001) Unique Tenor Saxophonist. Old fashioned sound, very modern ideas. Made a comeback in the 1990 s (he actually never left) with a series of recordings for Verve. Made the original recording of Blue Bossa Lush Life
Wes Montgomery (1925-1968) Widely acclaimed and imitated jazz guitarist. Played octaves, using his thumb, to be quiet while practicing. Recorded for Riverside, Verve & A&M, making some of the greatest jazz guitar recordings of all time. Four on Six
Wayne Shorter (1933- ) Influential Saxophonist & composer. First gained fame with Art Blakey s Jazz Messengers, then with Miles Davis 2 nd great quintet. While with Davis, established himself as an influential composer. After leaving Davis, joined Weather Report, performing on the initial recording of Birdland Children of the Night
McCoy Tyner (1938- ) Critically acclaimed jazz pianist. Part of John Coltrane s classic quartet of the 1960 s. Managed to play piano during Trane s avant-guard recordings. His recordings for Blue Note and MCA are some of the finest examples of modern bop. Moments Notice
Freddie Hubbard (1938- ) Great jazz trumpeter. Gained fame playing with Art Blakey s Jazz Messengers. Dabbled in free jazz, playing with Ornette Coleman & Eric Dolphy (Free Jazz & Out to Lunch) Formed a quintet with Joe Henderson playing a mix of jazz, rock and r & b. Made the famous recording Red Clay Influential jazz composer, writing many jazz classics. Red Clay
Chick Corea (1941- ) Jazz pianist and composer. Gained fame playing with Miles Davis fusion movement. Constantly experimenting with electronics. Extremely versatile, playing jazz, latin, fusion and free; even writing a piano concerto. Led many famous groups including Return to Forever, Elektric Band and Origin. Armando s Rhumba
Pat Metheny (1954- ) One of the Big 3 current jazz guitarists (along with Bill Frissell and John Scofield). Extremely versatile, playing in many styles including jazz, fusion, latin, free, r&b and rock. With Lyle Mays formed the Pat Metheny Group in the mid 70 s, a group that continues today. Experiments with all types of guitars, including a 42-string guitar. Phase Dance
Michael Brecker (1949-2007) Highly acclaimed Tenor Saxophonist and EWI pioneer. Formed the fusion band Brecker Brothers (with his brother Randy). A part of the group Steps Ahead, a fusion group that experimented with electronics. His recordings for MCA & Verve are among the best recorded examples of modern jazz. Delta City Blues
Maynard Ferguson (1928-2006) Famous trumpeter known for high notes and fierce improvisations. Made his debut with the Stan Kenton orchestra in 1950. Kept a big band together for many years. Champion of jazz education, playing with student groups all his life. Birdland
Wynton Marsalis (1961- ) One of the most famous jazz trumpeters since 1980. Began with Art Blakey s Jazz Messengers. First musician to win a Grammy for Classical and Jazz recording in the same year (1983). His Blood on the Fields won the Pulitzer Prize the first of its kind. Marsalis success sparked record companies to sign up many new, young jazz players through the 80 s. Plays the Blues
Stanley Clarke (1951- ) Influential jazz bass player. Gained fame with Chick Corea s Return to Forever fusion band. Recorded many solo projects, including School Days a standard for all bass players. Popularized the pop technique used by most funk bass players today. Acoustic Bass Solo
David Sanborn (1945- ) Critically acclaimed alto saxophonist. Plays all styles, jazz, blues, r & b, etc. Straight to the Heart is one of the best examples of r & b/jazz recordings of the 80 s. Has recorded many solo projects, including an orchestral project with Michael Kamen. Snakes
Trumpet Players Lee Morgan Roy Hargrove Terrance Blanchard Randy Brecker Arturo Sandoval Jon Faddis Into the Faddisphere
Piano Players Billy Childs Keith Jarrett Brad Mehldau Lyle Mays Bud Powell Teddy Wilson Bud Powell Anthropology
Alto Sax Players Gerald Albright Paul Desmond Phil Woods Eric Marienthal Brandon Fields Jackie McLean Art Pepper Phil Woods & David Sanborn Senior Blues
Trap Set/Percussionists Gene Krupa Jo Jones Elvin Jones Lewis Nash Tony Williams Dave Weckl Jack DeJonette Drum Solo
Outness! Eric Dolphy John Zorn Sun Ra Archie Shepp Anthony Braxton
Tenor Sax Players Stan Getz Dexter Gordon Joshua Redman Branford Marsalis Joe Farrell James Carter
Bass Players Jimmy Garrison Dave Holland Charlie Haden Charles Mingus Ron Carter Jaco Pastorius Brian Bromberg All Blues
Trombone Players J.J. Johnson Frank Rosolino Bill Watrous Slide Hampton Michael Nelson Carl Fontana If I Only Had a Brain
Guitar Players Bill Frisell John Scofield Jim Hall John McLaughlin Al dimeola Russell Malone Lee Ritenour & Mike Stern Smoke n Mirrors
Supergroups! Yellowjackets Return to Forever Weather Report Mahavishnu Orchestra Elektric Band Tower of Power Yellowjackets Tortoise and the Hare
Thank you very much!! Have a great rest of the School year! Mr.Brian Rhodes