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The late 1940s through the 1960s are considered the golden age of American jazz, and the 1950s are, without a doubt, the most prolific decade in jazz history. Today, we’ll look back at 15 of the greatest and most famous jazz musicians in the 1950s and their impact on the genre.
- Charlie Parker. Famously called Yardbird or Bird, Charlie Parker was an American jazz saxophonist who significantly contributed to the genre’s growth in the music scene.
- Dizzy Gillespie. Born in 1917 in South Carolina, Dizzy Gillespie, whose real name was John, was a jazz trumpeter who rose to fame during the 1940s. Most people knew him for his big cheeks, which puffed out as he played the trumpet.
- Miles Davis. Illinois native Miles Davis was arguably one of the most influential jazz musicians and could play the trumpet with a unique style. Born in 1926, Davis left home and moved to New York to attend Juilliard.
- Ella Fitzgerald. Called First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald was acclaimed for her vocal strength and distinctive voice, which sounded like an instrument when doing scat improvisations.
- Dave Brubeck. First on our list, Dave Brubeck pioneered the use of unusual time signatures in jazz. While most songs on the charts have two, three, or four beats per measure, songs from the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s 1959 album Time Out featured no songs in 4/4.
- Miles Davis. Legendary jazz trumpet player and composer Miles Davis played a huge role in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He also had a distinctive playing style, which often included the use of mutes and minimalist solos.
- John Coltrane. Saxophonist John Coltrane is widely considered one of the most important and influential figures in the history of jazz, not just in the 1960s.
- Charles Mingus. Bass player Charles Mingus revolutionized the way the upright bass was utilized in jazz. He often bowed his bass and played it as a solo instrument, liberating it from its usual spot in the rhythm section, tied to the drummer.
- Charles Waring
- Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) Born in Newport News, Virginia, Ella Fitzgerald earned the title “The First Lady Of Song” due to her peerless vocal abilities.
- Duke Ellington (1899-1974) Between 1927 and 1974, Washington DC-born Duke Ellington commanded one of the finest ensembles in jazz. A pianist by trade – he played in a unique staccato style – Ellington made his name performing at Harlem’s famous Cotton Club in the late 20s where his orchestra helped to usher in the big band swing movement.
- Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) Nicknamed “Satchmo” or “Pops,” New Orleans-born Louis Armstrong was one of jazz’s most significant founding fathers and played a profoundly influential role in exporting the music to other parts of the world.
- Miles Davis (1926-1991) A trumpeter and bandleader from East St. Louis, Illinois, Miles Davis is arguably the most influential jazz musician of all time.
Aug 23, 2024 · Wayne Shorter: An American saxophonist and composer who emerged in the late 1950s, becoming a key figure in the development of modern jazz through his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet.
Oct 17, 2024 · Discover 42 jazz musicians widely regarded as the most famous artists in the history of jazz, spanning more than 100 years of music.
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Feb 27, 2010 · Because of his success, many other artists were propelled to high levels of fame. Some famous jazz artists who owe their success to Miles include John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, Cannonball Adderley, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter, and Chick Corea.
