As the legendary Nat Wolff once said, “Jazz has no beginning and no end”. And, as the legacies of these jazz legends live on, we know that to be absolutely true.
From Louis Armstrong’s masterful trumpet-ry, to Billie Holiday’s unforgettable voice, jazz has paved its way into the history of music, and it’s not going anywhere.
In one of the most diverse music genres ever, there is no limit to the types of sound and rhythm that can be born from the lips and hips of jazz musicians, like the sound of swing, scat, big band, bop or fusion.
In celebration of our love, we’ve complied a list of our very favourite jazz musicians of all time.
In no particular order. Of course.
So sit back, put some jazz on and kick back with the legends.
Louis Armstrong
“Armstrong is to music what Einstein is to physics and the Wright Brothers are to travel,” said jazz historian, Ken Burns. Armstrong’s mastery on the trumpet and his gravel voice has cemented him as one of the best jazz musicians of all time.
Miles Davis
“If you’re going to be a jazz player, you need to understand Miles Davis.” Miles Davis, the musician behind the greatest selling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue, is considered one of the best.
Etta James
A charismatic and soulful singer, Jamesetta “Etta” James, was credited with leading women to the forefront of jazz music.
Billie Holiday
“I had no desire to become a singer until I heard Billie Holiday.”
Known for her haunting and socially aware songs, Billie Holiday’s crooning notes reinvented jazz.
Nina Simone
A “real” rebel with a cause, Nina Simone was the voice behind classics “Feelin’ Good” and “I Put a Spell On You”.
Oscar Peterson
Called the “maharaja of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington, Peterson is considered one of the best jazz musicians to grace the keys of a piano.
Nat King Cole
Known for his piano playing and his soft, soulful voice, Nathaniel “King” Cole, was heralded as bringing in a new era of jazz.
Frank Sinatra
Between his crooning voice, and his movie-star good looks, Frank Sinatra was the whole package. With classics like Fly Me To the Moon, and The Way You Look Tonight, Frank catapulted himself into jazz history.
Julie London
Julie London’s 50s forray into the world of jazz was buoyed by her smooth voice and sweetheart demeanour.
Cab Calloway
The man responsible for the ever-catchy, ever-popular “hi-de-hi-de-ho!” tune, Cab Calloway was almost single handedly responsible for the surge of big bang popularity.
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