5 Outstanding Jazz Musicians of the Golden Era

Jazz music may seem like chocolate for the ears. It's soothing and relaxing. There is a long history of jazz music. But, there are some jazz musicians who entertain people through their talent. Here are 5 jazz musicians who had a huge gift when it comes to playing jazz.

1. Willy Smith

Smith played such beautiful jazz that people entitled him as The Lion. In the 1920s Smith was the perfect embodiment of jazz music. Smith used to play at parties and small clubs away from the recording studios. He built his reputation by playing extravagant music. People call Smith a "gladiator at heart" for his musical presence and diversity. Smith always tried to make his music better by experimenting different musical instruments. Smith's performances with a piano were amazing. He developed the "Harlem stride style" which is a unique way of playing a piano. Smith is one of the great jazz pianists of the 1920s.

2. Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton was a pianist, bandleader, and composer. He wrote the first ever published Jazz composition "Jelly Roll Blues". Morton is one of the greatest New Orleans jazz composers. Morton was also a famed braggart and sometimes brags about inventing jazz music as a whole. He was infamous for his arrogance and self-promotion. Morton had a big impact on other jazz musicians. Many jazz singers and musicians followed Morton's footstep to become famous. Morton invented stories which are best suited for his style to become popular. But, Morton did have musical traits up his sleeves. Morton's led the "Red Hot Peppers" and began as "the world's greatest hot tune writer." These were the notable achievements of Morton during his most productive years.

3. King Oliver

King Oliver was an American jazz cornet player and bandleader. People loved Oliver for his playing style and visionary use of mutes in jazz music. Oliver wrote many famous tunes like "Dipper Mouth Blues" and "Doctor Jazz". There is very little information about Oliver's vision of jazz music. Oliver took ten years to refine the tone of his coronet, as some might say. He did experiments with jazz music often which helps him blend the sound into his band. He mentored one of the most famous jazz soloists Louis Armstrong out of his band. Some might say that Armstrong may not have risen to the heights without Oliver's band at that point. Armstrong praised Oliver for his remarkable achievements in the history of jazz music.

4. Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was a trumpeter, composer, singer, and actor. He was one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Armstrong's spent five decades making top jazz music from the 1920s to the 1960s. He had a great influence in jazz and shifted the spotlight from bands to solo performances. Armstrong's had a gravelly voice and often bends melody of a song for better expression. He was an influential singer who also mastered the craft of scat singing. Armstrong's charismatic stage performances and voice earned him millions of fans. His influence was not only limited to jazz but other genres of music in general too. He left an impression on jazz music.

5. Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet was a saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first solo performers in the history of jazz music. Bechet played duets with Armstrong for several months. His forceful delivery and well-constructed improvisations put him among the top jazz musicians. Bechet had a regular temperament but in the late 1940s, he earns wide acclaim around the world. In his early years, he was the only jazz musician who could match Armstrong's level.

By:	Home Care Assistance of Prescott