This excellent list of jazz musicians by instrument is perfect for your middle and high school students. It will expose them to a wide range of quality jazz music. This list was extracted from a comprehensive handout called “Strategies for Developing Jazz Improvisation in Beginning Jazz Students.” You can instantly download the entire handout HERE.
Listening Lists:
A major element of any genre of music is listening to examples of that genre to master style. If we are not listening to Jazz artists, how will we really learn about what Jazz is and what it’s all about.
- Saxes: Cannonball Adderly, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, John Coltrane, Pepper Adams, Phil Woods, Wayne Shorter, Michael Breacker, Kenny Garrett, Gerry Mulligan, Nick Brignola, Bradford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Melissa Aldana, Emmanuel Wilkins
- Trombones: Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Kid Ory, Milt Woodman, JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Curtis Fuller, Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks, Conrad Herwig, Carol Jarvis, Steve Davis, Michael Dease, Altin Senclar, Chris Glassman, Jennifer Wharton, Aubrey Logan, John Fedchock, Dave Taylor
- Trumpets: Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Dorsey, Cat Anderson, Dizzy Gillespe, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Wynton Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, Ingrid Jensen, Andrea Motis, Summer Carmargo, Roy Hargrove
- Guitar: George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Christian, Freddie Green, Grant Green Jim Hall, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Django Reinhardt, Russell Malone, Kurt Rosenwinkle
- Bass: Rufus Reid, Charles Mingus, Dave Holland, Charlie Haden, Christian McBride, Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten, Ray Brown, Scott LaFaro, Gary Peacock, Esperanza Spalding, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke
- Piano: Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Marian McPartland, Stanley Turentine, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, Keith Jarrett, Marcus Roberts, Brad Mehldau, Mary Lou Williams, Kenny Kirkland, Eddie Palmeri
- Drums: Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Art Blakey, Louie Bellson, Chic Webb, Elvin Jones, Philly Jo Jones, Lewis Nash, Paul Motion, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Jack DeJonett, Steve Gadd, Brian Blade, Billy Kilson, John Reilly, Butch Miles
- Latin Percussion: Tito Puente, Pete Escovedo, Shelia E, Ray Barreto, Mongo Santamaria, Poncho Sanchez, Giovanni Hildalgo, Pedrito Martinez, John “Dandy” Rodriguez, George Delgado, Martin Cohen
Again, this list was extracted from a comprehensive handout called “Strategies for Developing Jazz Improvisation in Beginning Jazz Students.” You can instantly download the entire handout HERE.
Mr. Robert Soto, is a trombonist and educator and currently serves as the associate director of bands at William H. Taft High School in San Antonio, TX. He is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
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