to fit the pop misic format. Smooth jazz, for instance, in one such style that operated under radio-
format restrictions on musical content. Much of this music is well crafted and enjoyable, but it is
not exploratory, artistically creative version of jazz that we have been studying in this course.
There are many musicians (some of whom also make a living as Smooth Jazz artists), that are
still performing and recording very exploratory jazz music,, following in the traditions of the
great jazz artists before them, taking risks and creating new music on a high artistic level. Some
of the many interesting jazz artist performing today have apprenticed with the jazz greats of
previous generations, and almost all have studied jazz music in a university or music school
setting. All modern jazz artists follow the established jazz tradition of exploring and combining
elements of different musical influences together in a jazz context, trying to find a "new voice"
and creating unique musical situations for improvisation to take place.
Guitarists: Kurt Rosenwinkle, Dave Stryker, Russell Malone, John Abercrombie, John Scofield.
Bassists: Dave Holland, John Pattitucci, Christian McBride, Robert Hurst.
Pianists: Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Joe Zawinul, Eliane Elias, Rene Rosnes,
Danilo Perez, Geri Allen, Kenny Werner, Brad Meldau.
Saxophonists: Sonny Williams, Wayne Shorter, David Liebman, Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker,
Steve Coleman, Chris Potter, Ravi Coltrane, Kenny Garrett, Greg Osby, Brnford Marsalis,
Joshua Redman, David Sanchez, Walt Weiskopf, Eric Alexander.
Trumpeters: Kenny Wheeler, Roy Hargrove, Dave Douglas, Wynton Marsalis, Terrell Stafford,
Tim Hagans, Jim Rotundi, Tom Harrell
Trombonist: Conrad Herwig, Ray Anderson, Robin Eubanks, Wycliffe Gordon
Drummers: Peter Erskine, Bill Stewart, Jack DeJohnnette, Brian Blade, Jeff "Tain" Watts
Vocalists: Cassandra WIlson, Kurt Elling
Big Bands (playing modern, newly composed jazz music and "repertory" music - historical
reproductions of well-known big band music)
Such as, Licoln Center Jazz Orchesra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Maria Schneider Orchestra,
Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Chick Owen and the Jazz Surge.
Chick Corea elektrik Band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny
Group.
