Pharoah Sanders (1940–2022), jazz saxophonist

Pharoah Sanders was a saxophonist known for his free jazz and spiritual jazz.

McCoy Tyner (1938–2020), influential jazz piano legend

McCoy Tyner  was a legendary jazz pianist known for his time in the pioneering John Coltrane Quartet. Tyner played piano with Coltrane on his seminal albums “My Favorite Things” and “A Love Supreme.” The innovative pianist left Coltrane in 1965 and would release his own critically acclaimed albums including 1972’s “Sahara” that garnered him a Grammy nomination. Tyner would go on to win five Grammy Awards and he paid tribute to Coltrane on the album “Blues for Coltrane.”

Jimmy Heath (1926–2020), legendary jazz saxophonist

Jimmy Heath was a legendary jazz saxophonist who played with jazz giants John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Heath, who stood 5-foot-3-inches, was called Little Bird, an homage to legendary saxplayer Charlie Bird Parker and a tribute to Heath's skill.Overcoming an addiction to heroin, Heath was a prolific musician for over seven decades and a pioneer of be-bop. He later taught music at Queens College.

Cool Like Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk was no ordinary jazzman. A few notable qualities set him apart from the rest—for one, his style. Rings on his fingers, hat and sunglasses on his head, dressed in a dapper suit, he epitomized cool jazz style.

Rudy Van Gelder (1924–2016), jazz recording engineer

Legendary jazz recording engineer.

John Coltrane’s Genius, Beyond “Giant Steps” and “A Love Supreme”

Tenor saxophone virtuoso John Coltrane was best known for the "sheets of sound" style he exemplified on the 1959 album “Giant Steps,” and for the cerebral but deeply spiritual long-form masterpiece “A Love Supreme.” Though his career was cut short by liver cancer—he died at just 40 in 1967—his two most famous works are only the tip of the iceberg in a body of work that ranges from thoughtful ballads to furied blasts of avant-garde jazz.

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.

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.

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.