by heroesofjazz.com | Jan 31, 2024 | Blog
Alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman is one of the most influential musicians of all time, influencing everyone from Sonic Youth to Henry Threadgill, John Zorn and The Grateful Dead. His piano-less quartet, which debuted in NYC in the late 50s, did away with the usual...
by heroesofjazz.com | Sep 14, 2023 | Blog
Miles Davis was born in Illinois, son a dentist and farm owner; one of the richest men in Illinois. He moved to NYC to attend Julliard and in search of Charlie Parker. He soon quit Julliard and was recording and playing in Mr. Parkers band. Unfortunately, he picked up...
by heroesofjazz.com | Sep 6, 2023 | Blog
Charles Mingus was no ordinary man. He was larger than life, not only as a great jazz bassist and band leader, but as classical composer Gunther Schuller claimed, was one of America’s greatest composers. Born in Arizona, but raised in Los Angeles. Mingus was of Negro,...
by heroesofjazz.com | Sep 5, 2023 | Blog
The incomparable Billie Holiday had a voice like no other. Her singing captures the fullness and depth of life with all it’s sadness, joy, anger, hope, love, fear and excitement. Billie grew up in Baltimore. Her father was a jazz guitarist. Initially, she turned...
by heroesofjazz.com | Sep 4, 2023 | Blog
Quirky and original are good descriptions of Thelonious Monk, who is one of the all-time greatest composers, pianist, bandleaders, and improvisers in modern music. It wasn’t only his style of dress with his beanies, cravats, and goatee, nor his way of standing up and...
