Miles Davis' Sidemen

Miles Davis  (1926–1991) is widely regarded as one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, being at the cutting edge of bebop, hardbop, and fusion, just to name a few of the jazz movements he helped shape. Along the way, he influenced generations of musicians, including many sidemen who would enjoy influential and successful careers of their own. We take a look at some of the celebrated sidemen who’ve joined Davis in that great jazz combo in the sky.

Juan Garcia Esquivel: Music for the Space Age

Juan Garcia Esquivel, who would have celebrated his 93rd birthday today, took lounge music to its space-age extreme. We look back on his life and the unique sounds he created...

Alice Coltrane's Beautiful Music

Alice Coltrane (1937–2007) was a multi-talented jazz musician, bandleader, and composer—she sang, played piano and organ, and was one of the few harpists in the history of jazz.

Les Brown Introduces Doris Day

Perhaps what we can thank Les Brown for the most are his collaborations with Doris Day.

Ozzie Nelson, Perfect Dad?

Those who grew up in the 1950s and '60s had plenty of wonderful fathers to look up to — they were right there on their television screens. There was Ward Cleaver, played by , on "Leave It To Beaver"; Jim Anderson, played by  on "Father Knows Best"; and, maybe the greatest of them all,  Ozzie Nelson  (1906–1975) of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."

Buddy Rich, World's Greatest Drummer

For anyone who thinks jazz is boring, check out this Buddy Rich drum solo.

The Many Moods of Henry Mancini

Henry Mancini wrote some of the coolest film and TV scores of all time. His jazzy themes and strings-heavy ballads defined movie music in the 1960s.

Lionel Hampton's Good Vibes

Born April 20, 1908, Lionel Hampton was one of the first jazz vibraphonists, and his cheery vibes are hard to resist...

Artie Shaw's Difficult Stardom

The clarinet doesn't always get a prominent place in jazz music, but Artie Shaw made it swing.

The Benny Goodman Talent Agency

Benny Goodman launched the musical careers of many who would go on to become legends themselves.

Dizzy Gillespie, Blow Your (Bent) Horn

It was Dizzy Gillespie's talent and innovative style that placed him in the ranks of the all-time greatest jazz musicians… but his distinctive look didn't hurt. The bulging cheeks are essential to Gillespie's image—even people who have never heard his music are likely to recognize a photo of him. And then there was his trumpet with its bell bent upward at a 45-degree angle.

Nat King Cole: Unforgettable

Nat King Cole died Feb. 15, 1965. On the anniversary of his death, here are 25 facts about the life and legacy of the legendary singer.

Tito Puente's Timbales

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, we remember Latin jazz legend Tito Puente, “El Rey de los Timbales."

Count Basie Swings

Count Basie's brand of swing was nice and easy –like cutting butter.

King of the Jukebox: Louis Jordan

In the 1940s, no self-respecting jukebox would have been complete without at least a few records by Louis Jordan. The pioneering bandleader-singer-saxophonist was one of the top hitmakers of the day, making Black and White audiences alike move their feet to his uniquely infectious tunes. Along the way, he created some of the earliest precursors to rock ‘n’ roll and rap, and his wild success on the charts—as well as in diners, dance clubs and drive-ins—led fans to dub him "The King of the Jukebox."

The Glenn Miller Sound

Twenty years before Etta James made "At Last" her signature song, another artist recorded it for the first time. It was Glenn Miller, pioneer of big band music.

Duke Ellington at the Movies

Duke Ellington is one of the best known figures in jazz history. But did you know he was a movie star, too?

Pierre Boulez (1925 - 2016), renowned French conductor

Pierre Boulez, the world-renowned French conductor who was a major force in modern classical music, has died. He was 90. Boulez, who once served as the principal conductor of the New York Philharmonic, died Tuesday at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany. The death was confirmed by Hamid Si Amer, a spokesman for the Paris Philharmonic. No cause of death was announced, however.

Frank Sinatra Jr. (1944 - 2016), singer and conductor

Frank Sinatra Jr., a singer and conductor who followed in his famous father's footsteps, has died. He was 72. Sinatra died Wednesday, March 16, in Daytona Beach, Florida. His sister, the singer Nancy Sinatra, wrote on Facebook that he died of cardiac arrest while on tour. "Sleep warm, Frankie," she wrote. Her brother had been scheduled to give a concert Wednesday evening at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. In his show, "Sinatra Sings Sinatra," he sings many of his father's classic songs to orchestral accompaniment, tells stories about his dad, and shows family videos.

Neville Marriner (1924 - 2016), renowned conductor

Neville Marriner, a renowned conductor who founded the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, died Oct. 2, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 92.

Buddy Bregman (1930 - 2017), conductor and arranger

Buddy Bregman, a conductor and arranger, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles, according to multiple news sources. He was 86.

10 Things To Know About Louis Armstrong

He's one of the greatest musicians this world has ever seen: Louis Armstrong, the New Orleans-born trumpet player and singer, who died July 6, 1971, was an entertainer who possessed a unique voice and playing style that's still imitated today. During Armstrong's lifetime, only one of his recordings ever reached the No. 1 Billboard spot in the U.S.: his 1964 cover of "Hello, Dolly," which pushed the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" from the top spot on the Hot 100 chart. Since his death, Armstrong's recordings have enjoyed great popular success, especially his cover of "What a Wonderful World."

Paul Buckmaster (1946–2017), legendary arranger worked with David Bowie and Elton John

His arrangements accompanied rock classics such as “Space Oddity”…

Andre Previn (1929–2019), acclaimed composer, conductor and performer

Andre Previn was an award winning composer, conductor, and performer who won four Academy Awards. He wrote and arranged music for many films including “Elmer Gantry,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Porgy and Bess.” An accomplished jazz pianist influenced by Art Tatum, he released multiple albums and appeared with many greats including Ella Fitzgerald. The versatile Previn went on to conduct orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra.

Don Warren (2019), founding director of Drum Corps International

Don Warren was a founding director of Drum Corps International and founder of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in the Chicago area. After seeing a drum corps perform at a Boy Scout Jamboree at Soldier Field in 1946, scout leader Warren talked his troop into starting their own drum corps. Warren quipped, “They were getting tired of tying knots.” He was the leader of the Cavaliers for 60 years, winning 11 National Championships.

Dave Bartholomew (1918–2019), New Orleans music legend

Dave Bartholomew was one of the architects of rock and roll, partnering with Fats Domino on early rock classics including co-writing “Ain’t That a Shame.” The New Orleans trumpeter, band leader, producer, songwriter, and arranger was involved in many iconic songs including “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Blueberry Hill,” “I’m Walking,” and “I Hear You Knocking.” Bartholomew was band leader for one of New Orleans premier R&B bands when he became an A&R man for Imperial Records. At Imperial, he brought in Fats Domino, working with him on combining R&B with big band, jazz, and country to create early rock and roll. Bartholomew was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Jack Sheldon (1931–2019), “Merv Griffin Show” trumpeter and “Schoolhouse Rock” singer

Jack Sheldon was a jazz trumpeter and singer who was known for his work on “The Merv Griffin Show” and “Schoolhouse Rock.” A member of Mort Lindsey’s Orchestra on “The Merv Griffin Show” for 18 years, Sheldon often stepped out from the band, becoming Griffin’s sidekick. His trumpet solos were frequently heard on the show, including his famous solo in “The Shadow of Your Smile,” the 1965 Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards and Best Song at the Oscars. Sheldon also sang on several installments of the popular “Schoolhouse Rock” educational short films — he was the voice of the Conjunction Conductor in “Conjunction Junction,” and he sang “I’m Just a Bill.” He starred in the TV shows “Run, Buddy, Run” and “The Cara Williams Show.”

Viola Smith (1912–2020), pioneering female swing drummer

Viola Smith was a drummer billed as the “fastest girl drummer in the world,” playing for big bands in an era when few professional musicians were women.

Gloria Parker (1921–2022), bandleader known for playing “singing glasses”

Gloria Parker was a musician and bandleader who played the marimba and the “singing glasses,” or glass harp.

Peter Nero (1934–2023), Grammy-winning Philly Pops conductor 

Peter Nero was a Grammy Award-winning pianist, well-known as the conductor of Philly Pops for more than three decades and often interpreting popular music through jazz and classical styles.

Seiji Ozawa (1935–2024), norm-breaking conductor 

Seiji Ozawa was an offbeat, norm-breaking Japanese conductor who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra longer than any other music director.

Pete Rodriguez (1934–2024), I Like It Like That bandleader and pianist 

Pete Rodriguez was the bandleader and pianist for Pete Rodriguez y Su Conjunto, known for their 1967 boogaloo hit, “I Like it Like That.” 

Maurizio Pollini (1942–2024), famed Italian pianist and conductor 

Maurizio Pollini was an award-winning Italian pianist and conductor who helped lead the establishment of the Rossini Opera Festival.