Jazz musicians that inspire you /not guitarists/

[kris]

I'm curious what jazz musicians inspire your playing.
It's about musicians who don't play guitars.

[Doug B]

I'm curious what jazz musicians inspire your playing.
It's about musicians who don't play guitars.

Frank Rosolini-Trombone
Herbie Hancock-Keyboards
Freddie Hubbard-Trumpet
Jaco Pastorius-Bass
Joey Defrancesco-Organ
Lester Young-Sax
McCoy Tyner-Piano
Bill Evans-Piano
Woody Shaw-Trumpet
Ron Carter-Double Bass

I'll stop now and leave some for others! :-)

Doug

[Litterick]

Dave Tough

[reventlov]

Jimmy Martin, Lester Young, Monty Alexander, Paul Desmond.

Jimmy Martin was the leader of the band in a dance hall in my home town. He was a fine pianist and arranger, who helped and encouraged me in my formative teenage years.

I'm sure you've all heard of the other three.

[Jimmy blue note]

Keith Jarrett. Lyrical genius of line and rhythm
Herbie Nichols. The harmonic sophistication and edge of Monk with a deep swing sense.
Elmo Hope. Swinging and lyrical contemporary of Monk.
David Binney. The highest manifestation of modern bebop alto.
Kenny Garrett. Master of thematic and motific phrasing.
Chris Potter. Modern and traditional tenor to the highest degree
Theo Bleckmann. A vocalist with the instrumental complexity of any horn player.
Fred Hersch. Meticulous harmonic thinking in the service of the most beautiful melodic sense.
Lee Morgan. Phrase master and driving swing
Hank Mobley Tenor who deserves the place as Coltrane's peer in every way
Eric Dolphy Took not only the instrument but the language to a level still unequaled
Duke Ellington Composer and also the most brilliant piano player. There wouldn't have been Monk without Ellington
Mingus. True improvisational freedom that comes out of the most individual and personal composition genius.
Jerry Bergonzi. When Michael Brecker was asked why he felt he still needed to practice, he said simply "Jerry Bergonzi". Never stops exploring or growing.

[Greywolf]

Jaco, Miles, Byrd, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Alphonze Muzon

[mr. beaumont]

I'm on a huge Paul Motian kick (again, seems to happen every year or two)

I've also been transcribing some Paul Desmond and Lester Young lately.

I find Kamasi Washington quite inspiring as well.

This would be my current list as of 12/15/22 at 7:49am.

[Lionelsax]

Paul Desmond, Jackie McLean & Dexter Gordon...
That's what they said one day about my playing.

[Sam Sherry]

Today's answer:

[sgcim]

Dave Tough

I worked a lot with Joe Dixon, a clarinetist that played with Davey Tough in various bands. He loved the guy!

[sgcim]

Eddie Costa
Phil Woods
Dick Morrissey
Steve Slagle
Houston Person
A few of the guys I play in a great big band with (who you've never heard of).

[marcwhy]

Tom Harrell
George Garzone
Mark Turner

[rpjazzguitar]

Paul Desmond, Johnny Hodges, Stan Getz, Art Farmer

[wintermoon]

Lee Morgan
Hank Mobley (Hankenstein)
And the guy that gave him that nickname, Long Tall Dexter Gordon

[Degranulator]

Ornette Coleman
Steve Lacy (soprano sax player and composer, not the other guy)
Anthony Braxton
Sun Ra

[P4guitar]

Barry Harris - because of his teachings. I find them revolutionary and have been studying his approach for almost three years now. It's good to learn new tricks

[John A.]

Miles, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans, Billy Holiday, Michael Brecker, Mike LeDonne.

[stylo]

Coltrane, of course

[P.J.]

Love Theo's music and of course Dolphy!

[P.J.]

I started as a drummer so I love drummers:

• Tony Williams
• Ndgu Chancellor
• Bill Bruford
• Ronald Shannon Jackson
• Elvin Jones
• Ginger Baker
• Joey Baron

[StuartF]

I’ll add another vote for Paul Desmond. Such perfect melody and phrasing.

And the most accessible boppers: Dizzy and Cannonball.

[Vihar]

Akihisa Tsuboy

[shrews824]

Mine are many that have already been mentioned. Miles, Coltrane, Bird, Carter, Evans, etc.

However, I do have a few others that I seem to gravitate towards.

Steve Turre
Theo Croker
Roy Hargrove
Charles Lloyd
Ahmad Jamal
Chet Baker
Steve Davis
Emmet Cohen
Sean Jones
Stefon Harris

Truthfully, I have too many to mention. Plus, it seems like I find new ones everyday.

[KingKong]

Art Farmer, trumpet player.

Check out his albums done with Jim Hall and also solo albums from the 60s. To Sweeden With love, Interaction, Live at the half note, Portrait of Art Farmer. The way he plays, the notes kind of tumble out of the trumpet and roll down a hill.....its difficult to describe, check him out on youTube/spotify etc.

[Petimar]

Wynton Kelly, Blue Mitchell, Don Sleet, Stitt, Barry Harris, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown, Bird.