The Incomparable Sonny Rollins

Pianist/composer Herbie Hancock (born April 12, 1940) started his career playing with trumpeter Donald Byrd, but soon made his mark playing in Mikes Davis’ second great quintet. His long career has included many milestones, from the avant guard group Mwandishi, to his funky Headhunters group, to his pop hit "Rockit", and he has reinvented himself many times over, bringing his creative vision to many aspects of music, and continues to be a vital force in the music to this day.

There are some musicians that are so influential that they transcend time and their instrument. Bill Evans (born Aug 16, 1929) was one such musician. His extensive use of impressionist harmony, block chords, innovative chord voicings, and trademark rhythmically independent "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today. His trios featured many of the greatest players over the years as well. He introduced the innovative Scott Lafaro to a wider audience and his long association with bassist Eddie Gomez freed the role of the bass in trio settings. Drummers Paul Motian, Philly Joe Jones, Marty Morell, and Joe LaBarbara all provided the sometimes subtle, sometimes driving rhythmic propulsion to the trio.

Saxophonist/composer Joe Henderson (born April 24th, 1937) was one of the most distinctive voices on his instrument. His light, airy tone with a core of iron was immediately recognizable as his alone, and many of his original compositions have stood the test of time to become beloved jazz standards. His solos are often characterized by shifting in and out of time, lagging a bit here and there, and immediately snapping back into time, a kind of toying with the listener.

Pianist and composer Andrew Hill (born June 30, 1931) never really received the widespread recognition and acceptance his talents warranted. Jazz critic John Fordham described Hill as a "uniquely gifted composer, pianist and educator" although "his status remained largely inside knowledge in the jazz world for most of his career."   His dozen albums as a leader for Blue Note records featured some of the outstanding musicians of the time, and his original compositions are fiercely original and cutting edge. His work as a sideman on numerous Joe Henderson outings is vital to the success of those dates.

Pianist, Composer/Arranger Billy Strayhorn (born Nov 29, 1915) is often more or less dismissed as Duke Ellington’s alter ego, but he was so much no more than that. He was a true musical genius in his own right. Jazz pianist Fred Hersch wrote of Strayhorn, "He was a quadruple threat: a great composer of jazz tunes, a first-rate jazz pianist, a remarkable songwriter (music and lyrics), and one of the all-time great arrangers for jazz orchestra." His compositions are uniquely Strayhorn, harmonically, melodically, and lyrically.

This week we feature the music of two of the most important bassists in jazz: Ron Carter (born May 4, 1937) and Oscar Pettiford (born Sept 30, 1922). Both musicians advanced the technical possibilities of their instrument in jazz and contributed to its acceptance as a solo voice in the music. While Ron Carter is often remembered as the bassist in the second great Miles Davis quintet, he is one of the most recorded bassists of all time, and continues to play, compose, and record prolifically in his eighties.   While Pettiford had a much briefer life, his contributions to the music far outweigh his comparatively brief lifespan. Jazz bassist Christian McBride called Pettiford "probably the most important bass player of that bebop generation in terms of creating new language for the bass." A number of his tunes have become jazz standards as well.  

Guitarist John Scofield (born December 26, 1951) first rose to prominence as a member of Miles Davis’ band, but he had a number of good credits prior to the three and a half years he spent with Davis, including stints with Chet Baker, Hal Galper, Charles Mingus, Billy Cobham, and George Duke. His own groups have featured luminaries such as Steve Swallow, Adam Nussbaum, Bill Stewart, Joe Lovano, and Charlie Haden. He has been nominated for nine Grammy awards and won three. Help support the Jazz Legends podcast

Guitarist/composer Jim Hall (born December 4, 1940) is one of the most influential exponents of his instrument. His recordings with Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Paul Desmond, and many others, in addition to his recordings as a leader, have influenced whole generations of guitarists. His tasteful, spare style has been emulated but never duplicated. He recorded 39 studio albums and 10 live albums as a leader. Help sponsor St. Michael's Jazz Fest Donate to the Jazz Legends podcast Contact us at [email protected]

Saxophonist/composer Gerry Mulligan (born April 6, 1927) is perhaps the best-known baritone saxophonist in jazz. His mastery of this cumbersome instrument is legendary, but he also has recorded as a pianist, on clarinet, and on soprano and tenor saxophone. He is a prolific composer and arranger as well. His Concert Jazz Band in New York City featured many of the city’s finest jazz musicians in a fresh setting. His piano-less quartet featured Chet Baker, and his participation in the Miles Davis “Birth of the Cool” set the pace for countless West Coast jazz musicians. Help sponsor St. Michael's Jazz Fest Donate to the Jazz Legends podcast Contact us at [email protected]

Trumpeter/composer Tom Harrell (born June 16, 1946) has overcome daunting physical and mental obstacles to become one of the most important musicians of his generation. Heavily medicated to deal with his bipolar disorder, he still maintains a busy performing, recording, and composing schedule. Early in his career he toured with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Horace Silver, and Phil Woods. He appears on over 85 recordings, 40 as a leader, and his compositions offer fresh slants on the jazz tradition.