Important Jazz Figures
By: Peter Anderson
Charlie Parker
1920-1955 "Bird" as he was known, was one of the greatest saxophone players of all time. He is credited as being one of the fathers of Be-Bop, a more refined type of swing. At about the age of nine or ten, he began going to jazz clubs to listen to and study the music. In one of his first performances, the drummer threw a cymbal at him to show his dislike for Charlie's improvization. He studied some more and practiced until he was ready to start performing again. When he came back, his genius was easily recognized. After that, he played with greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Earl Hines. Sadly, he died at the age of 34, which is sometimes credited to his lifelong problem with substance abuse. However, his work lives on as he is the guide to all aspiring jazz musicians. His improvizations have been studied and imitated for years. His impact on jazz is unequaled.
Louis Armstrong
This man was a jazz great. His dazzling trumpet sound found its way into many homes across America through the radio and television. Not only was he one of the most important swing musicians, he was also one of the best loved vocalists and entertainers. In the prologue of Invisible Man, the protagonist is at peace when he listens to Armstrong's "What Did I Do to be so Black and Blue?" Who would ever forget his unique voice singing "What a Wonderful World." When Louis died in 1971 he was missed by all. Pianist Earl Hines said of him "the man loved his horn and he lived his horn. . .he had an awful lot of soul. . .an awful lot of soul."
John Coltrane
Born in North Carolina in 1926, John would become a jazz master. Early on, he played the alto saxophone and the clarinet although later he would switch to tenor sax and eventually pick up the soprano. He began his career in the Navy but soon found gigs with Dizzy Gillespie and Johnny Hodges. In 1955 John joined the famous Miles Davis quintet. He continued on into the Sixties experimenting with the quartet and quintet setup. He wrote four of the most well-known jazz classics: Blue Train, Moment's Notice, Locomotion, and Lazy Bird. To the untrained ear, Coltrane's music can be quite confusing. It is certainly not dance music like traditional swing; however, it is an art form. It comes alive and has a soul all its own.