by Brian Pelton

Created on: February 16, 2007

Jazz has become an undying culture that offers a broad artistic flavor to its music. This would not have been possible without jazz's proponents. The most famous in jazz's history were Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931), Ornette Coleman (born 1930), John Coltrane (1926-1967), Miles Davis (1926-1991), Duke Ellington (1899-1974), Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993), Thelonious Monk (1917-1982), and Charlie Parker (1920-1955).

Louis Armstrong was known as in the jazz mainstream as Satchmo, which is a contraction of satchel-mouth, and Pops. He was one of the most innovative jazz players of all time. He converted jazz from a form of regional dance music into an undying artistry and culture. He was the first acclaimed trumpeter but shifted to being a vocalist. He moved to Chicago and invited Joe "King" Oliver. He played the jazz cornet in Oliver's band and made some solos and breaks.

Bix Beiderbecke was one of the well-known cornet players and pianist in jazz culture. His early influences were the cornet players from Dixieland' jazz bands, Joe Oliver King, Loius Armstrong and Leon Roppolo. Beiderbecke created a new way to play jazz on his cornet which fits his improvisation. The Wolverines was his first jazz recording.
Ornette Coleman was a renowned saxophonist and composer. He was one of the famous proponents of free jazz in the 1960s. His timbre is the most recognizable in the jazz music scene. He created his fantastically unique sound with the use of a plastic saxophone. Coleman's jazz music was said to be eccentric but gained popularity since it captured the hearts of many.
John Coltrane was often called Trane in the jazz mainstream. He was a jazz saxophonist and composed his own jazz pieces. Trane produced many albums some of them were not released until his death. He was greatly credited in molding the modern jazz style. After his death, he was still the leading influence of the next jazz generation of saxophonists.
Miles Davis is also one of the most distinguished jazz players of the latter half of the 20th century. He was very talented in jazz. He was a trumpeter, a leader and he composed original pieces. He was leading in every development of jazz during his time. He played bebop and composed pieces for it. He recorded the first cool jazz record and was, at some point, responsible for modal and fusion jazz styles.
Duke Ellington was an astounding jazz proponent. He spent his career as a pianist, composer, and leader of their band. In the 20th century,

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