Thursday, April 30 is International Jazz Day! Chicago has the special honor of being this year’s host city, with the All-Star Global Concert taking place on April 30 at Lyric Opera House. We asked our teaching artists and staff about their favorite jazz musicians – and why you should give them a listen!
Herbie Hancock
Not only is Herbie Hancock a legendary jazz pianist and composer, but he is the chair of International Jazz Day! “Being Chicago born and raised, Herbie Hancock was a child prodigy who became one of the most influential pianists in jazz. He played alongside Miles Davis in The Second Great Quintet, creating some of the greatest jazz fusion albums. He showed pianists a new way of approaching jazz.
– Jamaal Crowder, Flute, Sax, and Clarinet Teaching Artist
Yussef Dayes
Yussef is a drummer from the UK who has not only been influenced by early jazz drummers, but takes inspiration from world-music musicians. The way he ‘speaks’ with his drums is incredible and shows how musicality and phrasing can be demonstrated on drums! I definitely recommend listening to “The Yussef Dayes Experience (Live From Malibu)”. You can also watch the full performance on YouTube!
– Miro Hernandez, SLAM Program Manager
Yusef Lateef
Yusef Lateef was a multi-instrumentalist whose recordings are a great example of how all instruments can be jazz instruments – including the oboe, bassoon, and instruments from East Asia!
– Dr. Megan Robbins, Senior Manager of Learning and Teaching
Roy Hargrove
Roy Hargrove is an all-time great trumpet player. The album “Earfood” fuses jazz with hip-hop and R&B. He has so many great songs and solos!
– Kelly Dennis, Senior Manager of Student Data and Systems
Melba Liston
Listen to her album “Melba Liston and Her ‘Bones,” which features Liston’s compositions and arrangements with a cast of some of the best jazz trombonists from that time period, including her. She was an important composer and performer who was a contemporary of musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.
– TPMS Teaching Artist