Charlie Parker is widely regarded as one of the most innovative jazz musicians in history. Together with Dizzy Gillespie, he pioneered the bebop style, which is still the common language used in jazz today. His approach to music revolutionized the way musicians played jazz. Miles Davis was another influential jazz musician who was a key player in numerous stylistic developments in jazz.
He was a relentless innovator and his recordings and tours for more than 30 years have made him one of the most important figures in jazz history. Max Roach was a pioneering jazz drummer of the Bebop era and laid the foundations for modern jazz drumming. His style expressed the pulse mainly in the walking cymbal, rather than in the hi-hat or bass drum. Art Blakey is another legendary jazz drummer who rose to fame during the bebop era and is known for his role in the appearance of Hard Bop.
His best performances were in jazz ballads, with his version of Body & Soul remaining one of the most famous jazz songs of all time. Duke Ellington is arguably the best jazz composer in history and is known as the leader of his orchestra. He has composed numerous jazz standards such as Satin Doll, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Mood Indigo and many more. Dave Brubeck was an important jazz musician in the Cool Jazz movement of the 50s and made a place for himself playing in unusual bars.
Coleman Hawkins, also known as Hawk or Bean, is widely regarded as the father of the jazz saxophone. Despite being initially dismissed by critics and club owners due to his eccentric style, he has eventually come to be regarded as a genius who was ahead of his time. Finally, Ella Fitzgerald is considered a vocal pioneer who made her debut with Benny Goodman at 18 years old. Her collaborations with jazz titans such as Teddy Wilson, Lester Young, Count Basie and Artie Shaw are milestones in the jazz canon.
