Formed by English guitarist John McLaughlin in 1971 the Mahavishnu Orchestra became one of the most important and high-profile bands in the world of jazz fusion. In this article, we use their short discography to map out the course of this iconic group of legendary musicians. During its lifetime the Mahavishnu Orchestra went through several …
Whilst the phrase “European Jazz” is often used as a kind of description of a certain type of music, in reality the continent is made up of multiple countries, each with their own rich history and scenes. In this guide we shine a light on some of the great Italian jazz musicians. Jazz has had …
Already listed at the top of our list of the most famous Blues singers of all time, in this article we dive deeper into the most popular Bessie Smith songs. Acquiring the nickname ‘Empress of the Blues’, Bessie Smith was the most well-known female blues singer of the 1930s with an influence that extended well …
Born on June 12, 1941 pianist and composer Chick Corea was a prolific presence on the jazz scene from 1962 until his death in February 2021. A complex musician he was at home in styles from free jazz, Latin jazz, post-bop jazz, progressive rock and classical music. In the late sixties he recorded several important …
When it comes to the most famous jazz albums of all time, the trumpet may be slightly eclipsed by the sheer number of saxophone and piano-led offerings. That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t a big chunk of jazz trumpet albums which should be required listening for every fan out there, as we’ll see in …
When you think of the classic John Coltrane sound — soaring, spiritual, searching — it’s impossible to ignore the drums underneath it all: the power of Elvin Jones. And while those quartet years are legendary, some of Jones’ boldest, wildest, and most revealing work came as a bandleader. In this article we dive into some …
Frequently cited as one of Miles Davis’ biggest inspirations, jazz pianist Amhad Jamal nonetheless flew slightly under the radar when compared to fellow legendary musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans and Dave Brubeck. In this article we’ve rounded up some of his best albums for your listening pleasure. Born Fritz Jones on July 2, …
If there’s no greater form of flattery than imitation, it’s a measure of the esteem musicians hold the late great Duke Ellington in the sheer volume of famous jazz albums which take inspiration from his repertoire. In this article we look at some of the most famous Duke Ellington tribute albums of all time. As …
When it comes to the most famous jazz pianists of all time, Wynton Kelly is something of an underrated gem, outside of musician-circles. In this article we round up some of his best albums. Born in Brooklyn, New York on December 2, 1931, jazz piano player Wynton Kelly will always be remembered for his role …
The cello may be more associated with classical music, but a select group of jazz cellists over the years have proven that the instrument is much more than a niche or novelty in the world of jazz, as we’ll see in this article. Whilst there may not be the treasure trove of artists you’d expect …