Jazz: The Greatest American Contribution to Music

Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, “Jazz” (2001), heralded the genre as the greatest contribution America offered the musical world. Finding its roots on the blues-filled banks of the Mississippi, jazz has become an art form prevalent across the world.

Still, many of the greatest jazz artists hail from the United States, as their works have filled out what people consider the canon of the genre. Here, then, is a top ten list of these great jazz artists.

10. Bill Evans

Considered one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century, Bill Evans started playing at the tender age of 6. His interest in jazz is often deemed to have started at the age of 12 when he was substituted in place of his brother in a big band.

Throughout his early career, Evans accompanied other great jazz composers such as Charlie Mingus and Art Farmer. His most critically-acclaimed work, however, was with trumpeter great Miles Davis. Initially, Davis hired Evans in 1958. The collaboration only lasted for 8 months. Many observers, however, claimed that this was one of the most fruitful periods for both jazz artists. In 1959, Davis called Evans back to record the seminal, Kind of Blue. In this manner, Evans played a key role in introducing modals to the jazz scene.

9. Wes Montgomery

For many musicians all over the world, Wes Montgomery was the quintessential jazz guitarist. Born in Indiana, Montgomery is mostly known for dabbling in the bebop and post-bop side of jazz.

The work of Wes Montgomery sent out the message that great jazz music does not always come from the minds of conservatory graduates. Though unable to read notes, Montgomery had the acute ability to listen to intricate melodies and replicate them accurately.

8. Ella Fitzgerald

So significant is the influence of Ella Fitzgerald that she is widely known as “Lady Ella” or “The First Lady of Song.” With a career that spanned over 57 years, Lady Ella took the jazz world by storm with her three-octave vocal range.

Many consider her scat singing the most flawless and horn-like of all jazz singers. Likewise, her round and soothing tone garnered her 13 Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Art awarded by Ronald Reagan.

7. John Coltrane

John Coltrane’s influence on jazz might not have been immediately felt in the 20 or so years of his career. In fact, many of his records were released after his death in 1967. Nevertheless, his virtuoso handling of the sax and his focused approach to composition affected so many musicians that Coltrane was posthumously awarded the Special Citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board in 2007.

6. Charlie “Bird” Parker

Sometime in the early 1940s, a child from Kansas City listened to a Coleman Hawkins record, “Body and Soul,” and was floored by the playful tempo jumps. This child turned out to be the great saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker, whom many jazz historians consider one of the frontrunners of the whole bebop movement in jazz.

Charlie Parker was known to play his saxophone at a pace and rhythm no other player could emulate. Still, his solos retained their melodic integrity while employing harmonies never used before.

5. Ornette Coleman

A skillful violinist and trumpeter, Ornette Coleman is known for the distinctive drawl of his alto saxophone. An accomplished composer, Coleman did his sax-playing in a slightly unorthodox manner. Since bebop and swing music have certain template progressions, Coleman simply played what he believed he should play. Often, his solos went through unchartered musical territory. Some even considered his playing out-of-tune. Nevertheless, certain audiences loved the brashness of his playing style.

In the 1960s, Coleman was regarded as one of the frontrunners of the free jazz movement. He was actually uncomfortable with this distinction, but his record, “Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation (1960),” is considered a classic in the genre.

4. Charles Mingus

Deemed to be the “Angry Man of Jazz,” Charles Mingus was an accomplished bassist, band leader and jazz composer. Many of his works are considered to be in the upper echelons of jazz canon.

As a bandleader, Mingus was known as a ruthless perfectionist, at times storming down from the stage when a performance did not go his way. Ironically, he emphasized free improvisation among his band members, letting their personalities and relationships have an effect on the resulting sound.

As a jazz composer, Mingus is sometimes regarded as one of the geniuses in the field. His distinctive, somewhat eccentric melodies mirrored his turbulent personality. He would go through brief periods of heightened creativity, but mostly, he was prone to depression.

3. Jelly Roll Morton

Born Ferdinand Joseph Lamothe, “Jelly Roll” Morton is often considered the very first true-blue jazz composer, as the first jazz composition, “Jelly Roll Blues,” was penned by him. He was born in New Orleans to a Creole family. There, he was readily exposed to the musical roots of jazz – blues and ragtime.

His illustrious career took him around major American cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. Morton was notorious for his arrogance, since he constantly bragged about himself. Still, he had much to brag about as he was a virtuoso in such piano styles as stride playing, rag-time and swing.

2. Duke Ellington

If Jelly Roll Morton is credited to be the first true jazz composer, Duke Ellington is often regarded as the artist that popularized the genre. Many consider him to be the greatest American composer of all time.

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was a very prolific composer, with many of his works considered American classics. While on tour, he never stopped writing music, always keeping handy a pen and some musical sheets.

Throughout his career, he churned out over 30 records, scored various films, and collaborated with such musicians as Louise Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Max Roach and John Coltrane. He garnered 12 Grammy awards, with 8 of his records inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

1. Miles Davis

The music industry of the 20th century has seen the rise and fall of many jazz artists. Some careers span only a few years, while others continue even after the artist’s death. Since so many musicians have emerged, the influence of one is often considered to be the most ubiquitous.

Miles Davis – trumpeter, composer and band leader – is considered one of the most successful and, consequently, most influential jazz musicians of all time. In some way or another, he took part in every movement associated with jazz. Beginning with bebop, Davis is credited with starting modal jazz, cool jazz, and to some extent, jazz fusion.

Taking part in the different developments of jazz entails much focus. Imagine constantly breaking rules and conventions. Such dynamism speaks of Miles Davis’ talent to constantly use music as a means of expression.

The Beauty of Jazz

Certainly, some would disagree with what’s included on this list. Yet, that is the beauty of jazz. So wide is its scope and so exciting is its dynamism that people will always have their own conception of what constitutes true jazz artistry.

Jazz music has always been known for its creative and unorthodox bass work. And to know the true soul of jazz and rock, is to know the Top Ten Bass Players of All Time.