JAZZPROFILES lives in the music 1,002 Jazz Artists fully Profiled!
Nationality

American

568 profiles, A-Z.

Aaron Goldberg Piano Aaron Parks Piano Aaron Stewart Tenor saxophone Abraham Burton Tenor saxophone Adam Nussbaum Drums AJOYO Al Foster Drums ✦ 1943–2025 Al Jarreau Vocals ✦ 1940–2017 Albert Ayler Tenor saxophone ✦ 1936–1970 Alex Weitz Tenor saxophone Alexander Claffy Double bass Ali Jackson Drums Alice Coltrane Piano ✦ 1937–2007 Allan Chase Alto and soprano saxophone (also baritone on later recordings) Allan Harris Voice (baritone) Amy London Vocals Anbessa Orchestra Andrea Brachfeld Flute Andrew Cyrille Drums Andrew Hill Piano ✦ 1931–2007 Andy Hunter Trombone Angela Bofill Vocals ✦ 1954–2024 Anthony Braxton Saxophones (sopranino through contrabass) Anthony Pinciotti Drums ✦ 1975–2024 Antoine Roney Tenor Saxophone Antonio Hart Alto saxophone Archie Shepp Tenor Saxophone Aretha Franklin Vocals ✦ 1942–2018 Ari Hoenig Drums Arnie Lawrence Alto ✦ 1938–2005 Art Blakey Drums ✦ 1919–1990 Art Ensemble of Chicago Art Farmer Trumpet ✦ 1928–1999 Art Tatum Piano ✦ 1909–1956 B.B. King Guitar ✦ 1925–2015 Barry Harris Piano ✦ 1929–2021 Ben Perowsky Drums Ben Street Double bass Ben Tiberio Double bass Ben Webster Tenor saxophone ✦ 1909–1973 Benny Benack III Trumpet Benny Golson Tenor saxophone ✦ 1929–2024 Benny Green Piano Bernard McKinney (Kiane Zawadi) Euphonium ✦ 1932–2024 Bert Seager Piano Betty Carter Vocals ✦ 1929–1998 Big Maybelle Vocals ✦ 1924–1972 Bill Dixon Trumpet ✦ 1925–2010 Bill Evans Piano ✦ 1929–1980 Bill Laswell Bass Bill McHenry Tenor saxophone Bill Perkins Tenor and baritone saxophone ✦ 1924–2003 Bill Saxton Tenor saxophone Bill Withers Vocals ✦ –2020 Billy Drewes Tenor Billy Harper Tenor saxophone Billy Hart Drums Billy Higgins Drums ✦ 1936–2001 Bob Brookmeyer Valve trombone ✦ 1929–2011 Bob James Piano Bob Stewart Tuba (early credits also on trumpet and flugelhorn) Bobbi Humphrey Flute Bobby Hutcherson Vibraphone ✦ 1941–2016 Bobby McFerrin Voice Bobby Shew Trumpet Bobby Timmons Piano ✦ 1935–1974 Brad Mehldau Piano Brian Charette Hammond organ Bruce Arnold Guitar Bruce Harris Trumpet Bucky Pizzarelli Guitar (six-string and seven-string) ✦ 1926–2020 Bud Powell Piano ✦ 1924–1966 Buster Williams Double bass CAB Cab Calloway Vocals (scat singing) ✦ 1907–1994 Cannonball Adderley Alto saxophone ✦ 1928–1975 Carl Perkins Piano ✦ 1928–1958 Cecil McBee Double bass Cecil Payne Baritone saxophone ✦ 1922–2007 Cecil Taylor Piano ✦ 1929–2018 Cedar Walton Piano ✦ 1934–2013 Chad Lefkowitz-Brown Tenor saxophone Chad Taylor Drums Charles Davis Baritone ✦ 1933–2016 Charles Gayle Tenor saxophone ✦ 1939–2023 Charles McPherson Alto saxophone Charles Mingus Double bass ✦ 1922–1979 Charles Owens Tenor saxophone Charles Stepney Piano ✦ 1931–1976 Charlie Haden Double bass ✦ 1937–2014 Charlie Mariano Alto saxophone ✦ 1923–2009 Charlie Parker Alto saxophone ✦ 1920–1955 Chet Atkins Guitar ✦ 1924–2001 Chet Baker Trumpet ✦ 1929–1988 Chick Corea Piano ✦ 1941–2021 Chico Freeman Tenor saxophone Chico Hamilton Drums ✦ 1921–2013 Chris Anderson Piano ✦ 1926–2008 Chris Cheek Tenor saxophone Chris McCarthy Piano Chris Potter Tenor and alto saxophone Chris Tordini Double bass Chris Vadala Saxophones ✦ 1948–2019 Christian McBride Double bass Christopher Hoffman Cello Chuck Mangione Flugelhorn ✦ 1940–2025 Chuck Redd Vibraphone Chuck Riggs Drums Clarence Penn Drums Clark Terry Trumpet ✦ 1920–2015 Cleveland Eaton Bass ✦ 1939–2020 Clifford Brown Trumpet ✦ 1930–1956 Clint Houston Double bass ✦ 1946–2000 Clive Davis ✦ 1932–2026 Coleman Hawkins Tenor saxophone ✦ 1904–1969 Colin Stranahan Drums Cooper-Moore Piano Cornell Dupree Electric guitar ✦ 1942–2011 Count Basie Orchestra Big band Craig Handy Tenor saxophone Craig Taborn Piano Creed Taylor Producer ✦ 1929–2022 Curtis Amy Tenor and soprano saxophone ✦ 1929–2002 Curtis Fuller Trombone ✦ 1932–2021 Daniel Freedman Drums Dave Douglas Trumpet Dave Grusin Piano Dave Koz Saxophone Dave Liebman Tenor saxophone Dave Phillips Double bass Dave Samuels Vibraphone ✦ 1948–2019 David Amram French horn David Kikoski Piano David Murray Tenor Saxophone David Sanborn Alto saxophone ✦ 1945–2024 Dayna Stephens Tenor saxophone Deborah Weisz Trombone Dee Dee Bridgewater Vocals Dewey Redman Tenor saxophone ✦ 1931–2006 Dexter Gordon Tenor saxophone ✦ 1923–1990 Diane Schuur Vocals Dianne Reeves Vocals Dick Spencer Alto saxophone Dizzy Gillespie Trumpet ✦ 1917–1993 Don Baldwin Double bass ✦ 1940–2024 Don Cherry Cornet ✦ 1936–1995 Don Friedman Piano ✦ 1935–2016 Don Grusin Keyboards Don Patterson Hammond organ ✦ 1936–1988 Don Potter Guitar Don Sebesky Trombone ✦ –2023 Donald Byrd Trumpet ✦ 1932–2013 Donald Harrison Alto saxophone Donny McCaslin Tenor saxophone Doug Watkins Double bass ✦ 1934–1962 Duane Eubanks Trumpet Duke Ellington Piano ✦ 1899–1974 Duke Pearson Piano ✦ 1932–1980 Earl Gardner Trumpet Earl Klugh Acoustic guitar Ed Schuller Double bass Eddie Henderson Trumpet Eddie Jefferson Vocals ✦ 1918–1979 Eddie Palmieri Piano ✦ 1936–2025 Eddie Sauter Composition ✦ 1914–1981 Edwin Birdsong Keyboards ✦ 1941–2019 Eliot Zigmund Drums Elvin Jones Drums ✦ 1927–2004 Eric Dolphy Alto Saxophone ✦ 1928–1964 Eric Gale Guitar ✦ 1938–1994 Eric Harland Drums Eric Revis Double bass Erik Friedlander Cello Erroll Garner Piano ✦ 1921–1977 Erykah Badu Vocals Esperanza Spalding Double bass Esther Phillips Vocals Eubie Blake Piano ✦ 1887–1983 Evan Christopher Clarinet Fat Cat Big Band Fats Waller Piano ✦ 1904–1943 Fletcher Henderson Piano ✦ 1897–1952 Fonce Mizell Trumpet ✦ 1943–2011 Fourplay Keyboards (Bob James) Frank Foster Tenor saxophone ✦ 1928–2011 Frank Gant Drums ✦ 1931–2021 Frank Greene Trumpet Frank Hewitt Piano ✦ 1935–2002 Frank London Trumpet Frank Lowe Tenor saxophone ✦ 1943–2003 Frank Wess Tenor saxophone ✦ 1922–2013 Frank Wright Tenor Saxophone ✦ 1935–1990 Frank Zappa Guitar ✦ 1940–1993 Fred Hersch Piano Freddie Hubbard Trumpet ✦ 1938–2008 Gap Mangione Piano Gary Bartz Alto saxophone Gary Burton Vibraphone Gary Foster Alto & tenor saxophone ✦ 1936–2026 Gary McFarland Vibraphone ✦ 1933–1971 Gary Peacock Double bass ✦ 1935–2020 Gary Smulyan Baritone saxophone Gary Versace Piano Gary Wang Double Bass Gene Ammons Tenor saxophone ✦ 1925–1974 Gene Bertoncini Guitar (nylon-string classical and electric) ✦ 1937–2026 George Adams Tenor saxophone ✦ 1940–1992 George Benson Guitar George Cables Piano George Coleman Tenor saxophone George Duke Keyboards ✦ 1946–2013 George Duvivier Double bass ✦ 1920–1985 George Garzone Tenor saxophone Gerald Clayton Piano Gerald Cleaver Drums Geri Allen Piano ✦ 1957–2017 Gerry Hemingway Drums Gerry Mulligan Baritone saxophone ✦ 1927–1996 Gerry Niewood Saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) ✦ 1943–2009 Ghost Train Orchestra Gil Scott-Heron Vocals ✦ 1949–2011 Glenn Zaleski Piano Godwin Louis Alto saxophone Gracie Terzian Vocals Grant Geissman Guitar Grant Green Guitar ✦ 1935–1979 Greg Gisbert Trumpet Greg Murphy Piano Gregory Hutchinson Drums Gregory Tardy Tenor saxophone Grover Washington Jr. Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) ✦ 1943–1999 Guru Vocals (rap) ✦ 1961–2010 Hal Galper Piano ✦ 1938–2025 Hamid Drake Drums Hampton Hawes Piano ✦ 1928–1977 Hank Crawford Alto saxophone ✦ 1934–2009 Hank Jones Piano ✦ 1918–2010 Hank Mobley Tenor saxophone ✦ 1930–1986 Harry Allen Tenor saxophone Harry James Trumpet ✦ 1916–1983 Harvey Mason Drums Harvie S Double bass Henry Grimes Double bass ✦ 1935–2020 Henry Threadgill Alto saxophone Herb Ellis Guitar ✦ 1921–2010 Herbie Hancock Piano Herbie Mann Flute ✦ 1930–2003 Hilary Gardner Vocals Horace Silver Piano ✦ 1928–2014 Howard Alden Seven-string guitar Hubert Laws Flute Idris Muhammad Drums ✦ 1939–2014 Immanuel Wilkins Alto saxophone Isaac Hayes Vocals ✦ 1942–2008 J.C. Heard Drums ✦ 1917–1988 J.J. Johnson Trombone ✦ 1924–2001 Jack DeJohnette Drums ✦ 1942–2025 Jack McDuff Hammond organ ✦ 1926–2001 Jackie McLean Alto saxophone ✦ 1931–2006 Jaco Pastorius Electric bass ✦ 1951–1987 Jaki Byard Piano ✦ 1922–1999 James Blood Ulmer Electric guitar ✦ 1940–2026 James Carter Tenor James Genus Double bass James Moody Tenor saxophone ✦ 1925–2010 James Newton Flute James P. Johnson Piano ✦ 1894–1955 James Shipp Vibraphone Jason Lindner Piano Jason Tiemann Drums Jay Anderson Double bass Jay Beckenstein Saxophones Jay Collins Tenor saxophone Jay Lawrence Drums Jay Sawyer Drums Jeff Ballard Drums Jeff Berlin Electric bass Jeff Hamilton Drums Jeremy Corren Piano Jeremy Pelt Trumpet Jeremy Wall Keyboards Jill Scott Vocals Jim Hall Guitar ✦ 1930–2013 Jim McNeely Piano; composition ✦ 1949–2025 Jim Pugh Tenor trombone Jimmie Lunceford Alto saxophone ✦ 1902–1947 Jimmy Cobb Drums ✦ 1929–2020 Jimmy Garrison Double bass ✦ 1934–1976 Jimmy Greene Tenor saxophone Jimmy Heath Tenor saxophone ✦ 1926–2020 Jimmy Knepper Trombone ✦ 1927–2003 Jimmy Lovelace Drums ✦ 1940–2004 Jimmy Rowles Piano ✦ 1918–1996 Jimmy Smith Hammond B-3 organ ✦ 1928–2005 Joanne Brackeen Piano Joe Gallant Bass (upright and electric) Joe Henderson Tenor saxophone ✦ 1937–2001 Joe Lovano Tenor saxophone Joe Martin Double bass Joe McCarthy Drums Joe Pass Guitar ✦ 1929–1994 Joe Sample Piano ✦ 1939–2014 Joe Strasser Drums Joel Forbes Double bass ✦ 1956–2024 Joel Frahm Tenor saxophone Joel Ross Vibraphone John Clayton Double bass John Coltrane Tenor saxophone ✦ 1926–1967 John Hicks Piano ✦ 1941–2006 John Lee Electric bass John Medeski Piano John Patitucci Double bass John Scofield Guitar John Zorn Alto saxophone Johnathan Blake Drums Johnny O'Neal Piano Jon Hendricks Vocals ✦ 1921–2017 Joseph Lepore Double bass Josh Evans Trumpet Joshua Levitt Tenor saxophone Joshua Redman Tenor saxophone Julius Hemphill Alto saxophone ✦ 1938–1995 Julius Watkins French horn; trumpet (1943-1950, before switching permanently to horn) ✦ 1921–1977 Jumaane Smith Trumpet Junior Mance Piano ✦ 1928–2021 Karl Denson Tenor saxophone Keith Jarrett Piano Ken Peplowski Clarinet ✦ 1959–2026 Kenny Barron Piano Kenny Burrell Guitar Kenny Clarke Drums ✦ 1914–1985 Kenny G Saxophone Kenny Garrett Alto and soprano saxophone Kenny Washington Drums Kenny Werner Piano Kenny Wessel Guitar Kevin Hays Piano Kirk Whalum Saxophone Kurt Rosenwinkel Guitar Larry Carlton Guitar Larry Dunn Keyboards Larry Grenadier Double bass Larry Mizell Keyboards Larry Ridley Double bass Larry Rosen Drums ✦ 1940–2015 Lawrence Clark Tenor saxophone Laymon Jackson Double bass ✦ 1932–1993 Lee Konitz Alto saxophone (also soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, voice) ✦ 1927–2020 Lee Morgan Trumpet ✦ 1938–1972 Lee Ritenour Guitar (electric, acoustic, classical, guitar synthesizer) Lenny McBrowne Drums ✦ 1933–1980 Leon Parker Drums Leroy Jenkins Violin ✦ 1932–2007 Leroy Vinnegar Double bass ✦ 1928–1999 Leroy Williams Drums ✦ 1937–2022 Lester Young Tenor saxophone ✦ 1909–1959 Lew Tabackin Tenor saxophone Lewis Nash Drums Lex Korten Piano Lionel Hampton Vibraphone ✦ 1908–2002 Lisle Atkinson Double bass ✦ 1940–2019 Little Johnny Rivero Congas Lonnie Liston Smith Piano Lou Donaldson Alto saxophone ✦ 1926–2024 Louis Armstrong Trumpet ✦ 1901–1971 Louis Belogenis Tenor Saxophone Louis Cato Drums Louis Hayes Drums Luke Krafka Cello Mal Waldron Piano ✦ 1925–2002 Marc Johnson Double bass Marc Ribot Guitar Marcus Gilmore Drums Marcus Miller Bass Maria Schneider Composer Marianne Solivan Vocals Mark Guiliana Drums Mark Shane Piano Mark Turner Tenor saxophone Marlon Browden Drums Marsha Frazier Piano Marvin "Smitty" Smith Drums Mat Maneri Violin Matt Brewer Double bass Matt Wilson Drums Matthew Garrison Electric bass (5 and 6-string) Maurice White Drums ✦ 1941–2016 Max Roach Drums ✦ 1924–2007 McCoy Tyner Piano ✦ 1938–2020 Mel Lewis Drums ✦ 1929–1990 Michael Brecker Tenor saxophone ✦ 1949–2007 Michael Franks Vocals Michael Jackson Vocals ✦ 1958–2009 Michael King Piano Michael Philip Mossman Trumpet Mike Mainieri Vibraphone Mike Stern Guitar Miles Davis Trumpet ✦ 1926–1991 Milt Jackson Vibraphone ✦ 1923–1999 Morgan Guerin Tenor and soprano saxophone Muhal Richard Abrams Piano ✦ 1930–2017 Muhammad Ali (drummer) Drums Myron Walden Alto saxophone Nasheet Waits Drums Nat Adderley Cornet ✦ 1931–2000 Nathan East Bass Neal Miner Double bass Nicholas Payton Trumpet Nick Brignola Baritone saxophone ✦ 1936–2002 Nick Finzer Trombone Nicole Glover Tenor saxophone Nnenna Freelon Voice Noble Sissle Vocals (tenor) ✦ 1889–1975 Norman Connors Drums Obed Calvaire Drums Oliver Lake Alto saxophone Ornette Coleman Alto saxophone ✦ 1930–2015 Oscar Pettiford Double bass ✦ 1922–1960 Owen Broder Baritone saxophone Pat Martino Guitar ✦ 1944–2021 Pat Metheny Guitar Patrice Rushen Piano Patti Austin Vocals Patti LaBelle Vocals Paul Butterfield Harmonica ✦ 1942–1987 Paul Chambers Double bass ✦ 1935–1969 Paul Motian Drums ✦ 1931–2011 Paul Sikivie Double bass Paul Simon Vocals Paul West Double bass Pepper Adams Baritone saxophone ✦ 1930–1986 Perry Robinson Clarinet ✦ 1938–2018 Pete Turner ✦ 1934–2017 Peter Anderson Tenor Saxophone Peter Bernstein Guitar Peter Donald Drums Peter Erskine Drums Peter Washington Double bass Phalanx Pharoah Sanders Tenor saxophone ✦ 1940–2022 Phil Woods Alto saxophone ✦ 1931–2015 Philly Joe Jones Drums ✦ 1923–1985 Phyllis Hyman Vocals ✦ 1949–1995 Prima Materia Quincy Jones Trumpet ✦ 1933–2024 Ralph MacDonald Percussion ✦ 1944–2011 Ralph Towner Guitar (classical/12-string) ✦ 1940–2026 RAMP Vocals (Sharon Matthews, Sibel Thrasher) Ramsey Lewis Piano ✦ 1935–2022 Randy Brecker Trumpet Randy Crawford Vocals Rashied Ali Drums ✦ 1933–2009 Ravi Coltrane Tenor saxophone Ray Brown Double bass ✦ 1926–2002 Ray Charles Piano ✦ 1930–2004 Ray Gallon Piano Red Mitchell Double bass ✦ 1927–1992 Reggie Quinerly Drums Reggie Workman Double bass Rene Hart Double bass Reuben Rogers Double bass Richard Wyands Piano ✦ 1928–2019 Rick Faulkner Trombone Rob Clearfield Piano Rodney Green Drums Roger Kellaway Piano Roland Hanna Piano ✦ 1932–2002 Ron Carter Double bass Ronnie Laws Tenor saxophone Ronnie Mathews Piano ✦ 1935–2008 Roscoe Mitchell Saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, sopranino) Roswell Rudd Trombone ✦ 1935–2017 Roy Ayers Vibraphone ✦ 1940–2025 Roy Hargrove Trumpet ✦ 1969–2018 Roy Haynes Drums; occasional vocals ✦ 1925–2024 Royal Blue Vocals ✦ –Date unknown, New York City Rudy Van Gelder ✦ 1924–2016 Rufus Reid Double bass Ryan Kisor Trumpet Sam Jones Double bass ✦ 1924–1981 Sam Rivers Tenor saxophone ✦ 1923–2011 Sam Yahel Hammond B-3 organ Sami Stevens Vocals Sarah Vaughan Vocals ✦ 1924–1990 Savannah Harris Drums Scott Ambush Bass Scott Robinson Saxophones (soprano to contrabass, plus C-melody) Serge Chaloff Baritone saxophone ✦ 1923–1957 Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz Electric and acoustic bass Sharel Cassity Alto saxophone (primary) Sheila Jordan Vocals ✦ 1928–2025 Sherrie Maricle Drums Sheryl Bailey Guitar Shirley Scott Hammond organ ✦ 1934–2002 Sirone Double bass ✦ 1940–2009 Skippy Williams Tenor saxophone ✦ 1916–1994 Slide Hampton Trombone ✦ 1932–2021 Sonny Clark Piano ✦ 1931–1963 Sonny Rollins Tenor saxophone ✦ 1930–2026 Spike Wilner Piano Spyro Gyra Saxophone Stan Getz Tenor saxophone ✦ 1927–1991 Stan Kenton Piano ✦ 1911–1979 Stanley Clarke Double bass Stanley Turrentine Tenor saxophone ✦ 1934–2000 Steve Cardenas Guitar Steve Coleman Alto saxophone Steve Davis (trombonist) Trombone Steve Lacy Soprano saxophone ✦ 1934–2004 Steve Wilson Alto saxophone Steven Lugerner Alto and soprano saxophone Stevie Wonder Vocals Stix Hooper Drums Stu Williamson Trumpet ✦ 1933–1991 Sun Ra Piano ✦ 1914–1993 Sunny Murray Drums ✦ 1936–2017 Sylvia Cuenca Drums Sylvia Striplin Vocals Tanya Darby Trumpet Ted Nash Alto saxophone Teddy Charles Vibraphone ✦ 1928–2012 Teddy Wilson Piano ✦ 1912–1986 Terri Lyne Carrington Drums Thad Jones Trumpet ✦ 1923–1986 The Anzic Orchestra The Blackbyrds Bass (Joe Hall) The Crusaders Piano The Klezmatics Thelonious Monk Piano ✦ 1917–1982 Thomas Morgan Double bass Tierney Sutton Vocals Tim Collins Vibraphone Tim Horner Drums Tom Harrell Trumpet Tom Schuman Piano Tom Scott Tenor Tommy Flanagan Piano ✦ 1930–2001 Tommy Turrentine Trumpet ✦ 1928–1997 Tony Williams Drums ✦ 1945–1997 Tyler, The Creator Vocals Tyshawn Sorey Drums Underground Spiritual Game Uri Caine Piano Victor Lewis Drums Vijay Iyer Piano Vince Ector Drums Wadada Leo Smith Trumpet Wallace Roney Trumpet ✦ 1960–2020 Walt Weiskopf Tenor saxophone Walter Blanding Tenor saxophone Walter Booker Double bass ✦ 1933–2006 Walter Norris Piano ✦ 1931–2011 Wayne Henderson Trombone ✦ 1939–2014 Wayne Shorter Tenor and soprano saxophone ✦ 1933–2023 Weather Report Wes Montgomery Guitar ✦ 1923–1968 Whitney Houston Vocals ✦ 1963–2012 Wilber Morris Double bass ✦ 1937–2002 Will Anderson Alto Saxophone William Parker Double bass Willie Jones III Drums Wilton Felder Tenor saxophone ✦ 1940–2015 Woody Shaw Trumpet ✦ 1944–1989 Wycliffe Gordon Trombone Wynton Kelly Piano ✦ 1931–1971 Wynton Marsalis Trumpet Yusef Lateef Tenor saxophone ✦ 1920–2013 Zoot Sims Tenor saxophone ✦ 1925–1985
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