Top Jazz Artists

Satchmo, a great trumpeter, was influential in shifitng jazz focus towards solo performance rather than collective improvisation.

The most recorded jazz musician and wrote over 1, 000 songs.

Died young and arguably the greatest tenor saxophonist ever.

David Grusin (born June 26, 1934) is an American composer, arranger and pianist. Grusin has composed many scores for feature films and television, and has won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work, including an Academy award and 12 Grammys. He has had a prolific recording career as an artist, arranger, producer and executive producer.

The Rippingtons are a contemporary group mainly relating to the genres Smooth jazz, Jazz pop, and Crossover jazz. Formed in 1986 by guitarist and band leader Russ Freeman (not to be confused with the jazz pianist of the same name), their career has spanned two decades. With a revolving door of musicians, Freeman has been the only consistent member.

A painist with unique improvisational style. Wrote only 70 songs but is the second most recorded jazz composer.

Lenny Brooks was quite simply the definitive jazz pianist of his generation. His talent remains unparalleled and unappreciated. Fame and notoriety seemed never to match his contribution to American Jazz. Lenny was admired by the contemporaries (Louis Amstrong, Miles Davis, William "Count" Basie, Lena Horne, Johnny Mathis, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Artie Shaw, Sarah Vaughn, and many others) with whom he worked. Known for composing works with chords and arrangements only a few of the most talented pianists could pull off. This was his signature style. It was once said, "Oscar Peterson was cool, Thelonious Monk was hot, Sir Duke was breezy, but Lenny Brooks was the sun, and like the sun ... you HAD to see it to believe it." If you were lucky enough to see him live-you'd know.

The First Lady of Song. She won 14 Grammy Awards and was decorated by two US presidents.