Which Jazz Artist’s Influenced your Musical Taste?


Many solo jazz artists have left an indelible mark on the genre, shaping tastes and inspiring countless listeners. Here are few of mine that I find deeply inspiring and connected, 

Pianist: Bill Evans, Eddie Higgins, Thelonious Monk, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Claude Williamson, Oscar Peterson

Saxophonists: John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Scott Hamilton, Archie Shepp, Dexter Gordon, Stanley Turrentine

Trumpet: Chet Baker, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Chris Botti

Guitarists: Wes Montgomery, Fausto Mesolella, Andrea Castelfranato

Bassists: Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown


Who has had the most impact on your musical journey?

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I would have to say Vince Guaraldi was the first and still is the most influential person to spark our interest to jazz. Then, followed by:

Oscar Peterson

Mariam McPartland

Beegie Adair

Tommy Flanagan

Oscar Pettifiord

Duke Ellington 

Let's add Martial Solal who I just saw passed at age 97 considered the greatest European pianist and a great composer. And @toddnlg I used to love listening to Mariam McPartland's NPR show back in the day!

@jond   Me too. I was not fully into jazz yet.  But, I did enjoy her show and range of performers she hosted.