GROUPS
Famous Jazz Musicians
With its roots in the blues, jazz has been referred to as America's classical music, yet has also become a major global phenomenon, branching off into a variety of forms. Earlier pioneers like Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton paved the way for the swinging big-band sounds of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. In contrast, contemporaries Dizzie Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk developed bebop, with its speedy, dissonant harmonies and improvisations. And Miles Davis heralded the birth of cool jazz, modal jazz and fusion at different points in his career. Famous jazz instrumentalists have tended to be male, yet women have been at the forefront of the genre when it comes to vocalization, from the brassy blues of Bessie Smith to the haunting eclecticism of Nina Simone.
FEATURED VIDEO
Featured People
See all Famous Jazz Musicians (29)
-
Miles Davis
- In these groups:
- Musical Metamorphoses
- Famous Jazz Musicians
- Famous Geminis
Miles Davis
Songwriter, Trumpet Player / 1926 - 1991
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Miles Davis was a major force in the jazz world, as both a trumpet player and a bandleader.
-
Billie Holiday
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Apollo Legends
- Foremothers of Rock
Billie Holiday
Singer / 1915 - 1959
Billie Holiday was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. She had a thriving career for many years before she lost her battle with addiction.
-
Herbie Hancock
- In these groups:
- Soul Train Guests
- Best Original Score Oscar Winners
- Famous Jazz Musicians
Herbie Hancock
Songwriter, Pianist / 1940 -
Herbie Hancock is an American keyboard player, songwriter, and bandleader. He gained wide popularity for his electric jazz-rock groups.
-
John Coltrane
- In these groups:
- Sober Celebs
- Famous Jazz Musicians
- Famous Libras
John Coltrane
Songwriter, Saxophonist / 1926 - 1967
John Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer, and is an iconic figure of 20th century jazz.
-
Louis Armstrong
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Gap-Toothed Grinners
- Famous Jazz Musicians
Louis Armstrong
Singer, Trumpet Player / 1901 - 1971
Louis Armstrong was a trumpeter, bandleader, singer, soloist, film star and comedian. Considered one of the most influential artists in jazz history, he is known for songs like "Star Dust," "La Via En Rose" and "What a Wonderful World."
-
Ornette Coleman
- In these groups:
- Famous Jazz Musicians
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Saxophone Players
Ornette Coleman
Songwriter, Saxophonist / 1930 -
American jazz saxophonist and composer Ornette Coleman created the improvisational style “free jazz,” which disregarded harmonic patterns.
profile name: Miles Davis profile occupation: Songwriter, Trumpet Player
profile id: 9327294
profile name: Herbie Hancock profile occupation: Songwriter, Pianist
profile id: 9254106
profile name: John Coltrane profile occupation: Songwriter, Saxophonist
profile id: 9341902
profile name: Billie Holiday profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9188912
profile name: Louis Armstrong profile occupation: Singer, Trumpet Player
profile id: 9253139
profile name: Ornette Coleman profile occupation: Songwriter, Saxophonist
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.
Shop Bio
Other groups you may
be interested in
-
Hispanic Writers
21 people in this group
-
Political Party Crashers
Political Party Crashers
View groupA good party always has some surprises—and that goes for political parties, too. Though the United States has had a two-party system for most of its history, party loyalty is not always written in stone. Over the years many politicians have switched sides, for ideological, political, and strategic reasons. Here are some of the politicians who have crossed to the other side of the aisle.
22 people in this group
-
Notable Female Leaders
Notable Female Leaders
View groupAside from their gender, female leaders don't have much else in common. Some have brought peace to troubled lands, while others have strewn discontent. Some have been competent or brilliant, others inept or corrupt. They come from political positions ranging from arch-conservative to ultra-leftist and represent all the world's religions.
Visit BIO's Women's History group for more lists of the world's most fascinating women!
28 people in this group

June Carter Cash
Famous Fiction Authors
Angelina Jolie
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived


