Jazz Artists
Artists You Should Know
This refers to a list of Jazz artists who have featured on our Jazz radio program and are not involved in other types of Jazz such as funk, vintage, big hand, traditional etc. but modern Jazz only from the 1940s. The following artists are some of the contemporary artists involved in Bebop, west coast and mainstream Jazz categories.
Adams Pepper
Adams Pepper was a jazz artist born on October 8, 1930. He began his musical career at a young age, and by 1947 (17 years old at the time), he joined forces with Lucky Thompson who was tenor saxophonist compared to his baritone sax gift.
He went further to play with a group of people in a band known as “who is who of jazz”. Some of its members are Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Flanagan.
Adderley Julian Cannonball
If you know Nat Adderley, the cornet player it would be too easy to guess his relationship with this talent. Julian Adderley is his elder brother. He already joined a band at the age of 27 whom he went on tour with. Between 1959 and 1960, he established a quintet which included his brother. He was an alto saxophonist whose acts were inspired by Benny Carter, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
Allison Mose
He is a vocalist and instrumentalist. He started playing the piano at the age of 5 and learned how to play the trumpet in his high school days.
His great muse lies in the blue and black art of the Mississippi. He also looked up to arts undertaken by Nat King Cole. He collaborated with saxophonists like Al Cohn. Finally, he owns credit to a few albums.
Baker Chet
He is an instrumentalist and is obsessed with the trumpet. Growing up in Los Angeles, he found himself captivated by the wonders of the trumpet’s sounds and began its classes at 13. He worked shortly with Charlie Parker but made a debut as a jazz artist when he collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, a baritone saxophonist.
He is particularly associated with West Coast Jazz. However, Baker had struggles with drugs addiction which many speculated was responsible for his tragic death.
Bellson Louie
He was a band member with Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Harry James and Tommy Dorsey.
He acted as Pearl Bailey’s (who happened to be his wife) musical director and came into limelight under the Ellington band of the 1950s. He was a creative drummer with several great recordings.
Carter Benny
Multi-talented Carter Benny is one artist that has inspired many others. He is involved in various forms of Jazz music ranging from Bebop to swing to blues. He is a Grammy award holder and was involved in laudable projects. He played Alto sax and entertained the audience for more than 60 years.
He became the director of the British Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra dance in 1935 after moving to the U.K. When he returned to the United States, he launched as one of the best Afro-American in the game.
To view a full list of Jazz artists, click the subject “Jazz Profiles A to Z.”