Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald are widely considered to be the two best jazz vocalists of their century. Nicknamed “Sassy”, Sarah Vaughan won countless awards including four Grammys. She was renowned for her outstanding recordings. After gaining recognition after receiving his first prize in the historic talent show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Michel Legrand, from France, recorded with Vaughan.
He commented how “she sings from the stars”. Ella Fitzgerald sang swing better than any other artist. She had power in her diversity and was an extraordinary jazz artist. She did not express fear of modern materials and had a three-octave range, enunciation and beautiful diction.
Fitzgerald was as good as she looked. Charles Mingus was a well-known jazz musician from the 1940s who never found himself in one place. He would be found starring in the crowds at major concerts in Japan and even recorded an entire album while performing in one of Japan's concert halls. In the 1940s, his main sound was more like the swing stars of that time, such as Benny Goodman.
Later in his career, Charles became more open and versatile and performed with artists from other eras, such as vibist Norvo Red and guitarist Tal Farlow. To celebrate the EFG London Jazz Festival, BBC and Jazz FM in the UK created a pop jazz radio station this past weekend. Over the weekend, there were programs that celebrated the best jazz artists of all time. They had been voted on by listeners and a top 10 had been created, based on a list of 50 shortlisted musicians drawn up by a panel of BBC jazz presenters, Jazz FM presenters, jazz musicians, critics and journalists. According to BBC presenter Helen Mayhew, Miles Davis was “a musician very worthy of having been voted at the top of the list of the 50 best jazz-artists in history”.
Describing the top 10 as “the best of the best”, Geoffrey Smith of Radio 3 said that the top three positions were occupied by “immortals of jazz music”.The list included Abbey Lincoln, Art Blakey, Art Tatum, Betty Carter, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Bobby Wellins, Buddy Rich, Cannonball Adderley, Carmen Mcrae, Charles Lloyd, Charles Mingus, Charlie Haden, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Dianne Reeves Dizzy Gillespie Spieduke Ellington Ella Fitzgerald Esbjorn Svensson Fats Waller George Shearland Gerry Mulligan Gregory Porter Herbie Hancock Hugh Masekela Jamie Cullum Jan Garbarek Jimmy Smith John Coltrane John Taylor Keith Jarrett Kenny Wheeler Lester Young Loose Tubes Louis Armstrong Mark Murphy Mary Lou Williams Miles Davis Nina Simone Norma Winstone Ornette Coleman Oscar Peterson Pat Metheny Sun Rathelonious Monk Tubby Hayes Wayne Shorter Woody Herman. Compared to the centuries-old history of Western classical music, jazz music is a much younger art form that dates back to the early 20th century. Beginning in New Orleans as dance music, creative musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington helped propel jazz into a wide variety of popular musical styles. Louis Armstrong was born in 1901 in New Orleans and raised by his grandmother in poverty. He had the famous nickname “Satchmo” and is considered one of the founding fathers of jazz music. Charlie Parker was an American jazz saxophonist known for creating the jazz style known as “bebop”.
After touring and playing with several bands he moved to New York City in 1939 to pursue music. Miles Davis is an iconic figure in jazz history who is well-known even among those who are not familiar with jazz music. Born in Illinois in 1926 he went to New York City to study at Juilliard School but left to play with Charlie Parker's group after which he wrote his own music and recorded solo records. John Coltrane helped establish modal harmonies in jazz music. Born in 1926 in North Carolina he directed many recording sessions that are now classic records in jazz recording literature. Duke Ellington was born in Washington D. C.
in 1899 and became famous for leading great jazz bands and orchestras by 1930s. One of his best-known pieces of music was “It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)”.Dave Brubeck was born in California in 1920 and was a jazz composer and pianist who became famous for hits such as “In Your Own Sweet Way” , Take Five and “Unsquare Dance”. The success of that album Take Five which is in an unusual beat of 5 beats per measure is the best-selling jazz-single of all time. Dizzy Gillespie was born in South Carolina 1917 and is probably best known for his iconic look of big cheeks swelling as he played his trumpet. In addition to playing the trumpet he also composed many pieces. Miles Davis is widely considered to be the best selling jazz artist of all time due to his iconic status among both fans and critics alike as well as his numerous recordings which have sold millions worldwide.
