Top 10 Influential Jazz Musicians
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
- Jazz: the original art form of the American south. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 most influential jazz musicians. Check us out at / watchmojo , / watchmojo and / watchmojo
Special thanks to our users jkellis, Kuhn Imthor II, SaxyAndrewTheatre, Aaron Orel, Al Bebak, Alex Johnson, Jaime Enrique Gutierrez Pérez and ThisXGuy for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest
Check out the voting page here,
watchmojo.com/suggest/Top%2010...
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We update DAILY with 2-3 Top 10 lists, Origins, Biographies, Versus clips on movies, video games, music, pop culture and more! - Zábava
Sad to see how many people hate or dislike Jazz nowadays.
Speaking the Truth Yeah. I am glad to see people at my school doing Jazz Band. I really like playing and listening to Jazz myself. Most of my friends think that Jazz is just a ton of noise, or that all Jazz is like Smooth Jazz. I like Smooth Jazz but there are many different subgenres of Jazz; you just have to find the type that you like most.
Speaking the Truth It really depends on the type of jazz in my opinion. Modern jazz is often arcane. I personally think Charlie Parker and Coltrane are very over-rated. While Blue Train is decent Giant steps is really not my cup of tea. There is a reason Lee Morgan and Duke Ellington enjoyed more mainstream popularity. They captured the essence of jazz while remaining melodic, rhythmic, and above all simplistic.
Bailey Glassford Haha. Coltrane is my fav of all time ! overrated, no. He got so many classics: Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, A Love Supreme. Also Olé Coltrane and Blue Train.
But my favorite one is definitely Coltrane's Sound. So underrated.
And Charlie Parker, pioneer of be-bop.
But yeah it's true, it depends of the type. People often dislike brass instrument. Free Jazz also I guess.
Speaking the Truth THANK GOD I took a jazz class in college! It should be mandatory!
they don't hate it they just don't listen to it
Those swollen cheeks are just unreal...
I was very surprised to see Billie Holiday at #9, then I reevaluated the title of this video, she's a jazz singer and not musician, so good she made the list at all. She's definitely the best female jazz singer ever
emperor tigerstar
rumor has it, he's actually a frog turned into a jazz genius.
I was mesmerized by it.
Parker should be no1 cuz there’s not one musician who influenced all instruments like Parker did.
Excellent list Watchmojo. I know most people aren't interested in a list about jazz music. But I appreciate this list as a huge fan of jazz music. Thanks for doing this!!
We do these lists knowing that they wont get HUGE numbers, but we like doing something nice for the minority of fans who are really passionate and appreciative.
Signed,
KG
Thank you sir, you sum everything i want to say
WatchMojo.com Much appreciated! I love jazz.. I truly wished more fellow young folks would respect this genre :)
Sometimes people don't realise how influential prior musicians are. If they give this list a watch I bet their ears will pick up sounds, music and songs that they recognise but had no idea how or where from. Until now.
WatchMojo.com Do you want happy subscribers? Because that's how you get happy subscribers...
Ella Fitzgerald should have been in there.
Nurcan A I’m angry
Nope!
Most defined I hear more singers cite her as inspiration then Billie Holliday
@@troyvahn2461 Ella doesn't have half the soul of Billie Holiday! Who cares who is citing Ella as an inspiration. Ella is slick and technical.
GeoCoppens half the soul!! Tuh Billie Holliday couldn’t express the feeling of love that or heartbreak the way Ella could. Billie was amazing she had a interesting phrasing and a bittersweet tone but it just doesn’t compare to Ella’s. She beat every jazz singer on the charts and won awards and accolades for her artistry. She was Frank Sinatra’s female singer, Bing Crosby said “Man, woman or child Ella is the greatest of the all” he’s been around to hear many greats, Peggy Lee said “The greatest jazz singer of our time. The standard by which each of us are measured”. This praise isn’t just given it’s earned. Billie has a lot of praise too but I feel like she is over praised by people nowadays, sometimes as if she was the only jazz singer of the 20th century when everyone who lived then knew better!
Honorable mentions: Chet Baker, Stan Getz & Carlos Antonio Jobim.
And Wayne Shorter
Joao Gilberto?
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Canonball adderley
and Bill Evans
Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is one of the best albums ever and everyone should listen to it at least once.
@@jr2660 Miles Davis? Terrible tone and technique? What?
Kind of blue is so nice
Bitches Brew as well
Very overrated!
@@bobjimbobjim9006 Nice at best! Just Nice
Ella wasn't even an honorable mention? What she could do with scat and improv was truly incredible.
Damn. Through my father, the first musical genre I was introduced to was jazz, and it has been with me all of my life. Miles, Baker, Coltrane, Mingus, Wynton, Parker, Dizzy, NHØP, Petersen, Garland, Jarret, Corea, Hancock, Petrucianni and so on, genuinely changed my life.
However, even though Mojo's list is excellent, and I am genuinely excited about you doing a jazz list, you have omitted one person, who ought not to be omitted.
Bill Evans.
Be sure to check out these other great videos,
Top 10 Classical Music Composers
Top 10 Decade Defining Songs: 1950s
Top 10 Live Rock Albums
Top 10 Ska Bands
In case you were wondering how the Mojoholics voted in our poll, see the votes and entries here:
watchmojo.com/suggest/Top%2010%20Jazz%20Musicians
Note, of course, that viewer votes are just one of the hundreds of data points and variables that we consider and look at when we create our lists. Make sure to sign up and participate on future lists at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest
Bill Evans.
and Vince Guaraldi.
So what?
No Evans but TATUM
For once I expect to see nothing but class in the comment section.
*sips a martini* quite right, quite right.
Signed,
KG
Here is a rundown of all of the musical artists we have featured in top 10 lists:
goo.gl/3gXjzK
and the coming soon list:
goo.gl/Yasp9P
My music teacher used this in music class to teach us about jazz
Coltrane didn't play the alto. He played the tenor and soprano
Pedro Bertolucci right. He did record a couple tunes on alto, but the tenor and soprano was his claim to fame. I’m sure he played the flute and piano because he was a musical God.
Bout time someone showed love to Jazz...
Good Job Mojo!!!!!!
Man I love me some jazz. I hope they do more lists around this type of music
About time we have some real good music.
agreed!!
na meyn, rap all the way maaaan
eifelitorn nah jazz, blues, rap and r&b
I know, right?
Ella needs to be on this list.
Thank you so much for this list. I am an obsessed fan of all thing jazz, and i just really appreciate this list for those just being introduced to this important music.
Billie Holiday's voice was so unique. It wasn't powerful, but it was smooth and Melodic. Very captivating.
one of my favorites... always chose her for school projects
This is ridiculous. That's a tenor sax, not alto.
Thank you!
THANK YOU someone else is smart
Killed me when they said alto, considering Trane is debatebly the best tenor player there ever was or will be.
Steven Little I saw that too...!
I was outraged slightly inside
Coltrane played tenor. Its literally in the video of him playing. Wow.
Drummers got no love in this one. What about Buddy Rich? Je's got to be there somewhere. He wasn't even an honorable mention. Shame
What's even more surprising about Buddy not being included, is that he even had his own Big Band.
Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Max Roach, ... they should have been added here
ShadesKid buddy rich isn’t shit compared to max roach
Buddy rich was to much of a jerk I guess :p
What a wonderful list! Props to you WM, thank you :)
Jaco Pastorious should have had an honorable mention
I know
Not including Ella Fitzgerald aka 'The Queen of Jazz' is a huge joke.. what kind of list is this? Please get a better system.
Kenny M I completely agree she’s a legendary artist but then again they didn’t put sonny Rollins, count Basie, dexter Gordon, or frank Sinatra who are also legends in there own rights
imagine getting mad about a jazz list🤣🤣
Also Paul Whiteman Nicknamed “The King of Jazz” isn’t on here either.
I feel like they were focusing more on instrument players then singers idk I’m just saying
Horace Silver should've been at least an honorable mention
My fave all time jazz album is Duke's Far East Suite. It's not cool jazz or improv, but it's so unusual, it grows on you slowly. Try it.
how the fuck is John Coltrane only 6?
True!
Thank you...I thought I was the only one thinking that.
uneducated jazz listeners that's how coltrane at least #3 of course davis will always be the greatest but can never go wrong with coltrane.
Coltrane should have been in the top 3. He was, after all, the second highest payed Jazz musician of his day behind Miles Davis.
Chatetris
Yes.And how isn't there a spot for Django Reinhardt
Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton - and well- Benny Goodman are my Favoriten Jazzguys outside the list.
As a former musician, I'm with some of the others here. No Goodman, no Prima, no Miller, no Ella, no Krupa, not even Herb Alpert or Al Hirt.
I get that jazz has so many influential folks to narrow down and I'll agree on Ellington and Louie, but even Basie didn't make the cut. How Basie not make the cut?
“John Coltrane with his Alto Sax” I’m sorry, WHAT
This list isn't bad. But Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, Mary Lou Williams deserve some mention on this list. ALso Herbie should be a lock for top 10. He has had 3 genre defining hits throughout his career.
The thing I don't like about this list, is that jazz in it's diversity is not really justified by a list about ALL jazz. I would prefer a separation between swing jazz, hot jazz, cool jazz etc.
There could easily be separate lists for pianists, reeds, brass players, male singers and female singers. We are not doing justice to these great people in the list, and that didn't make the list.
wow this was by far one of the most beautiful videos you guys have uploaded. Thanks...
This is the best top 10 list ive ever seen in Watchmojo. Damn that was fantastic. well, Im not really a fan of jazz music, i just started listening to them, but this list makes me wanna know a whole lot of jazz music. THank you for that. :)
chet baker is my fav :)
I personally would like to see Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock on this list, but I guess the question is who do you take out? Both are incredibly influential on modern jazz, with Herbie's influence stretching as into funk and hip-hop.
I could listen to Bill Evans 24/7.
This list is amazing!!!! I probably would like to have Dizzy higher, but still. a great list "Mojo" :)
You guys are awesome. Great list. Jazz is so interesting. Wow.
billie holiday should be a bit higher
John Coltrane is known for his tenor saxophone AND soprano saxophone play, not alto. Also Ella Fitzgerald deserves at least a honorable mention here . Thanks for the list.
This and the Top 10 classical music scores are, by far, two of the best videos you have ever made.
Great stuff. I know you could do a great Top 10 Jazz Albums, or Jazz Guitarists, Pianist, Horn Players, Bassist, Drummers etc
#1 - Holiday. Seriously. The voice oozed with the blues.
The passion in her voice when singing Strange Fruit is so chilling.
She’s the best
Amen
No shit. I'm shocked she at least isn't higher on the list.
The one mistake I noted: John Coltrane played tenor sax (as well as soprano), not alto. Loved this however, Pops definitely deserves the #1 spot for his influence.
My Top 10:
1. Miles Davis
2. Duke Ellington
3. Nina Simone
4. Luis Armstrong
5. Charles Mingus
6. Billie Holiday
7. John Conltrane
8. Charlie Parker
9. Max Roach
10. Oscar Peterson
No, louis armstrong still has to be the first place. Without him there will be no scat singing or improvisation.
Andre Daniel Fair enough, but I wasn't listing the top 10, I was listing my top 10. I agree that in musical circles, Luis is considered more influential that Miles, Duke and Nina, but I was listing the top 10 jazz musicians who influenced my tastes in music. In that list, Miles Davis is #1. In fact, as a bass player, I'd say it was hard to put Luis Armstrong ahead of Charles Mingus. Out of curiosity, what would your top 10 be?
1. Louis Armstrong
2. Miles Davis
3. Charlie Parker + Dizzie Gillespie (cause both have important contribution for bebop)
4. Benny Goodman
5. John Coltrane
6. Bill Evans
7. Duke Ellington
8. Ella Fitzgerald
9. Oscar Peterson
10. Dave Brubeck + Paul Desmond (both were like peas & carrot)
That pretty much it :)
LOVE this list! My favorites made the list :)
No Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan? Not even Glenn Miller?
Glenn Miller was NOT one of the most influential jazz musicians, he was just one of the most popular of the swing era because his music is super white
+scarfacejosh123 truth.
This list was flawless
love the list, pretty please can we see something similar for the blues!
No Art Blakey? lol
Exactly
Hell yeah, my kind of list
The image shown for Dave Brubeck is actually Paul Desmond who was the alto sax player in Brubeck's best known group. Maestro Brubeck was a pianist.
Love jazz! Always have. I hope to play the tenor saxophone someday.
Nat king Cole shouldn't even be in this list!!! u guys r crazy. Stan Getz, Charlie Mingus, Anthony braxton, , Bill Evans, Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler....Lester Bowie, Duke Ellington, Jaco Pastorius, Count Basie.....just to name a few u seem to have forgotten!!!!!!
Where's Count Basie?
Great video!
I would be glad to see top 10 about music before 50s :)
I guess it could be nice list
Btw, great work here
No love for Bleeding Gums Murphy?
Sonny Rollins should make this list.
So I'm not a jazz music fan but with how interesting this list was I think you just made one. Makes me miss playing clarinet.
John Coltrane played primarily tenor (a little soprano here and there), and the solo played for his solo in "So What" is Cannonball Adderly's solo (the one in the video).
This list carefully says, influential. There may be better Jazz minds than Louie; however, his personality really influenced Jazz. Agree.
Well if that was truly the case, then Scott Joplin should be on here since ragtime was really the forerunner of jazz.
oooooohhhhhh.thanx
Good point Javier.
I agree with your point and would add that Armstrong's great musical ability and pioneering use of improvised solos help make him deserving of the #1 position.
It is also very mentionable that Louis Armstrong was the very first African American jazz byciclist on the moon!
Is this a reference to something? I really curious as to what the reference is.
Signed,
KG
WatchMojo.com i believe he's talking about his name being lois armstrong and he plays jazz then there's lace armstrong who is a famous bicyclist and then there was neil armstrong the famous astronaut on the moon landing.
LinktoLinkGamer
WatchMojo.com
Yes, indeed. The very silly joke was supposed to be that people always mix up those three famous Amstrongs. :)
it's what i figured, sorry if i spoke for you though. i just wanted to see if my assumption was correct.
LinktoLinkGamer
I think this is the nicest apology I've ever gotten, and for a comment that wasn't rude at all. :) Don't worry, I was very happy to see that at least one person got the reference, and I couldn't answer as quickly. :)
Actually, I really don't care if I couldn't agree with watchmojo rankings, I am just happy and thankful you guys did this list. Because the best jazz musician depends on the listener in my opinion as there are so many good contributors on the various styles of jazz that who's the first doesn't really matter.
Wonderful list! Although I would have put Wes Montgomery on list at least with an honorable mention.
What about Cab Calloway
As I watched this video I looked up the artists on Spotify
Don Byas, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Art Tatum, Ben Webster, Sidney Bachet, Count Basie, Michael Brecker.
Great list. There are so many great jazz musicians to pick from. I also like count bassie and Ella Fitzgerald
I agree Ella should be there somewhere...have to agree with Louis Satchmo Armstrong as #1! He was really sth.
In the clips you've showed of John Coltrane, he is playing a tenor sax.
Also. It's impossible to play chords on a melodic instrument. He was playing multiphonics. Completely different things.
@Carter. What I think watch mojo is trying to refer to is superimposition of standard chord changes. Though trying to explain superimposition to the general public is like the equivalent of explaining rocket science. So I guess "playing multiple chords at once" is the dumbed down version of superimposition.
super imposition is not rocket science. Rocket science is highly complicated. Super imposition is not. Can you lay a transparent blanket on a bedsheet? Then you can grasp imposition.
Super imposition is not complicated for a jazz musician. I would say that it is for the non-musician.
This needed to be a top 20 list.
Some people who should have got a mention: Bill Evans; Ornette Coleman; Art Blakey
Mr. Louie Armstrong 👏👏👏 the best! Of the best! My favorite jazz vocalist, I have a thing for the rare-unusual-one of a kind voices 😎👍
How could guys not include Django Reinhardt in this list? He is one of the best guitar players of all time, he was the first influential European jazz musician and he set the standard for jazz guitar.
they’re anti-white.
Because there are other jazz musicians who were also worthy of being mentioned . Everybody can’t make the list
Lol django was a jazz guitar virtuoso, but they forgot the inventor jelly roll morton and dounder of jazz buddy bolden. They have no clue about jazz , this yt channel…😂😂😂😂😂😂
Not only was this a highly enjoyable list, this was one of the few times I enjoyed looking through the comments in the comment section. Cheers, my friends.
Every time Brubeck was mentioned, a video of his saxophonist Paul Desmond was shown rather than Brubeck on piano.
Coultrane played tenor not alto sax
Coltrane
Trane
I was two seconds from destroying this person about the fact she said alto sax
He played all horns, even recorded a couple tunes on alto. When he was in the Navy he played alto, he switched over to tenor after his discharge.
Chick Corea???
He is still the master of.jazz
@@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536 no he is not that name goes to Charlie "Bird”Parker.
thank you for mentioning my boys dave and herbie, my all time favorites :)
Love all of them, only sad thing is most of them have passed...
can someone please tell me why Count Basie isn't on this list
... Ella Fitzgerald? :O
like forgetting the Stones or The Beatles on a top 10 list of Pop Music
As usual the women are left out. No Nina Simone? This list is lame.
Ok.... this is a great list!
That video of Paul Desmond you showed when you made an honorable mention of Dave Brubeck was great.
I can argue the rest of the list.....but Louis is surely at the top!!!
I just started getting into jazz and classical music. Anyone have any good recommendations on what I should start listening to???
Louis armstrong dáve brubeck buddy rich jo jones
Thanks.
Hi! My Name is Mud If you're into guitar jazz
Lenny Breau, Joe pass, Django Reinhardt
Both 3 completely different jazz artists but very amazing in their own way.
Nate River thank you. I started listening to Buddy Rich and OH MY GOD I was impressed. Thanks for the suggestions I'll be sure to check them out.
Sounds great, if you want to be impressed even more be sure to check them out, (more then one song, don't be that person who checks one song then gives up lol.)
I feel Art Blakey should get an honorable mention because he trained a lot of the younger guys and turned then into legends. Same goes for Ben Pollack. Also I think Fletcher Henderson and Glenn Miller should be here too. Watch Mojo please do a biggest jazz acts list? Thanks.
Armstrong is just awesome... I get goosebumps every time I hear him..
Buddy Rich isn't even an Honorable Mention???
Of course it's incomplete, but here's my shot at a list:
1. Louis Armstrong
2. Charlie Parker
3. Duke Ellington
4. Miles Davis
5. John Coltrane
6. Lester Young
7. Thelonious Monk
8. Dizzy Gillespie
9. Herbie Hancock
10. Coleman Hawkins
Please make a list of the greatest jazz albums ever made (like the ones you made about rock, hip hop and pop) :)))
Amazing
Miles Davis should be number one
hi Etan
In no particular order where were Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hamilton, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, and most importantly where was ELLA FITZGERALD!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
clearly a brain fart on their part
Buddy rich should have been in the top 5 for sure
Top 10 jazz singers next! :)
Good list, shocked that Ella didn't make it (for those wondering she just missed the cut at 11 on the poll) Might i suggest a second list. It might fill out the portrait of jazz better as well as remove the sting of seeing Ella, Nina Simone and Dave Brubeck not make it