Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. His career as a jazz and pop singer began in the late 1930s and lasted nearly three decades. During this time, he recorded over 100 songs that became popular on music charts.
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson CC CQ OOnt (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was a highly skilled musician known as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. Peterson made over 200 recordings, won eight Grammy Awards, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, as well as many other honors.
Bill Evans
William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who led his own trio most of the time. His use of impressionist harmony, block chords, creative chord arrangements, and unique rhythmic “singing” melodies continues to inspire jazz pianists today. He was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and studied classical music at Southeastern Louisiana College and the Mannes School of Music in New York City.
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz musician who played the upright bass, composed music, led bands, played the piano, and wrote books. He supported a style where musicians create music together, and he is considered one of the greatest jazz musicians and composers in history.
Dave Brubeck
David Warren Brubeck ( / ˈ b r uː b ɛ k / ; December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He is often considered one of the most important musicians in the cool jazz style. His music is known for using unusual time signatures and combining different rhythms, meters, and musical styles, such as classical, jazz, and blues.
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American singer, songwriter, and composer. She was often called the “First Lady of Song,” “Queen of Jazz,” and “Lady Ella.” She was known for her clear voice, precise pronunciation, smooth singing style, perfect timing, and ability to sing complex melodies, especially in scat singing, which sounds like a musical instrument. After a difficult teenage years, Fitzgerald found success in music with the Chick Webb Orchestra.
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American singer known for her work in jazz and swing music. Her friend and music partner, Lester Young, gave her the nickname “Lady Day.” Holiday made important contributions to jazz and pop singing. Her singing style, influenced by jazz musicians, helped create new ways to use rhythm and timing in music.
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz musician who played the trumpet, led bands, wrote music, taught others, and sang. He was a highly skilled trumpet player who created music on the spot, building on the style of another musician named Roy Eldridge but adding more complex musical elements, such as new note patterns and rhythms, that had not been used in jazz before. His musical talent, ability to perform with energy, and sense of humor helped him share a new style of jazz called bebop with many people.
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk ( / θ ə ˈ l oʊ n i ə s / October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He developed a unique way of playing and composing music, and he contributed many songs to the well-known jazz collection, including ” ‘Round Midnight,” “Blue Monk,” “Straight, No Chaser,” “Ruby, My Dear,” “In Walked Bud,” and “Well, You Needn’t.” Monk is the second most recorded jazz composer, following Duke Ellington. Monk’s music often included unusual sounds and sharp, unusual melodies.
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. He is considered one of the most important and highly praised musicians in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Born and raised in North Carolina, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia after high school.