Jazz is a rhapsodic genre of music and has mesmerized people of all ages and all over the world. There have been many great record labels dished out by great musicians over the years. These have had a dramatic effect on music buffs and many have catapulted to the top of the music charts. Here is a look at some popular jazz musician and albums which have grabbed global attention:
- Dizzy Gillespie: The 1957 album of Gillespie is widely hailed as one of the greatest works by a saxophonist. The lyrics have that poetic feel and make the album a special one of its kind. The performances have also made it to the headlines for being peppy yet heart-rending.
- Thelonious Monk: Theolonius Monk could run his fingers on the piano with the expertise of a seasoned surgeon. His fingers would instantly connect to the keys of the instrument and let out that hair-raising music which can be only compared to magic. Counted amongst the best jazz record labels, the 1957 album spurred on a new generation of music lovers. There was punk involved as well and the songs spewed a new community of jazz lovers. Monk's mystical quality has also got to do something with the popularity of the album.
- Miles Davis: Miles Davis was the master of jazz. His 1971 album ‘A Tribute to Jack Johnson' spawned hysteria and had an electrifying impact on music lovers across the world. The black and white combinations too worked in the favor of the album as a shirtless saxophonist belted out perfect symphonies to make the audience gyrate.
- Wynton Kelly: Wynton Kelly's skills as a pianist cannot be compared with anyone else's. Kelly formed a magical combination with bassist Paul and drummer Jimmy, and the three together dished out memorable jazz music. The 1965 album ‘Smokin' at the Half Note' is a case to point out. Its music was out of the world and could easily grab attention and make you forget about your mundane worries.
- Duke Ellington: Many say that jazz was the muse of Duke Ellington. He not just gave a fresh breath of life to this genre of music but he made it look very suave and appealing. His album ‘Monkey Jungle' which hit the stores in the year 1963 had an overwhelming quality to it. The incredible thing is that when the album was made, Duke was already into his mid 60s. Thus, his compositions had that timeless quality and the master only got better with age.
-  Jaco Pastorius: Pastrorius pioneered several new trends in the world of jazz. His headbands spawned a new fashion culture and he certainly made the music a lot peppier than it was considered earlier. One can say that he fused style into the popular jazz record labels and redefined the age of 70s and 80s. His album ‘Jaco Pastorius' of 1976 was perhaps his best work. This album also revealed new vistas in the commercial market and it is thanks to him that a lot of modern day musicians are earning big money.Â