So unique was Stan Getz's saxophone sound that his solo on "Early Autumn" catapulted him to stardom in 1948 (his tone was so unique that he was nicknamed "The Sound" and even Coltrane wished he could play like him). Getz was at first influenced by Lester Young (and he was deservedly famous for the way he played ballads) but he quickl […]

Long since gone, Lady Day still casts a spell. Like her musical alter ego, Frank Sinatra, interest in her personal life threatens to overshadow her importance to jazz and pop. Forget the tragedy, listen to the music. Holiday's attention to phrasing has influenced generations of singers and players. With her trademark gardenia in her hair, she advanced t […]

Jazz was forever changed when Django Reinhardt heard his first Louis Armstrong record. Reinhardt, a Belgian born Gypsy, revolutionized jazz guitar playing after losing the use of two fingers in a fire (try that at home, Joe Satriani). He invented the harmonically intense but joyous gypsy jazz style that captivated the public and influenced generations of mus […]