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?

128x128lalitk

I started with the 3 M’s. Miles,Mingus,and Monk. From there it just a matter of seeing who their sidemen were and who influenced them. Next thing I knew it was down the rabbit hole. Armstrong to Zawinul, there has been a wealth of great players. sturtk covered many of my favorites.

A buddy's dad was big into the swing stuff when I was 8 or 9 years old.  Got me into Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Harry James, Lionel Hampton, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.  I didn't appreciate Frank Sinatra at the time (I do now), but did appreciate the talent of the Andrews sisters.  From there, I got into many of those named above and especially the fusion artists.  A solid foundation and an ever-expanding catalog to savor!

Dec 9, 1965 as a 6 yr old watching Charlie Brown Christmas on TV and not knowing that the music was jazz.

Vince Guaraldi's instrumental version of "Christmas Time is here" is the most perfect gateway song to jazz.

It explains why I'm also a big fan of Bill Evans - I love the softer touch on the keys.

Let’s play jazz violin

Jean LucPonty, Stephane Grappelli, John Blake jr.

Michal Urbaniak