Avant-Garde Jazz Musicians

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1. This trumpet player/bandleader/composer is perhaps the most important figure in all of jazz. Always on the cutting edge, he was instrumental in creating several new genres of music including "Cool Jazz", "Modal Music", "Third-Stream", "Free-Style" and "Fusion". Louis Armstrong Dizzy Gillespie Miles Davis Duke Ellington

2. This volatile genius gave a face to the bass, by exploring the instruments full potential and giving it prominence in the musical setting. He is most revered though as a bandleader/composer of uncommon power and sophistication. Jaco Pastorius Charles Mingus Ron Carter Richard Davis

3. After honing his skills with the Miles Davis Quintet, this man went on to become the greatest tenor saxophonist that ever lived. Known for his other-worldly virtuosity and deep spirituality, he regrettably died while still at the peak of his powers. Sonny Rollins John Coltrane Wayne Shorter Charlie Parker

4. Mastering the alto saxophone, bass clarinet and flute in equal measure kept this supremely gifted musician in high demand during his short life. His playfully baroque style was a breathtaking wonder to behold and an early precurser for the experimental movement. Anthony Braxton Eric Dolphy Archie Shepp Ornette Coleman

5. Being blind from the age of two did nothing to prevent this "visionary" multi-instumentalist from creating some of the greatest albums of all time. Traversing nearly every style imaginable and utilising arcane, odd-sounding instruments, he was a true original in every sense. Ray Charles Sun Ra Yusef Lateef Rahsaan Roland Kirk

6. This altoist created an uproar when he first exploded onto the scene in 1959, playing music that at the time seemed crude and chaotic but eventually revealed its beauty to the open minded listener. Now revered as one of jazz music's true revolutionaries, his concept of "Free Jazz" has become an avant-garde touchstone. Oliver Nelson Ornette Coleman Sam Rivers Charlie Parker

7. Deeply inspired by John Coltrane's style and spirit, this tenor saxman/multi-instrumentalist emerged as one of the greatest of the avant-garde/free jazzmen. His early recordings were massive, album length songs fueled by african poly-rhythms, trance-inducing chanting, and ferocious improvisations. Pharoah Sanders Eric Dolphy Roscoe Mitchell David Murray

8. One of the greatest jazz composers of all time, this pianist wrote odd, elliptical pieces of music that still sound beautifully modern sixty years later. He has left an indelible mark on jazz,symbolized by his trademark "Hat and Beard". Bill Evans Duke Ellington Lennie Tristano Thelonious Monk

9. Using old gospel hymns and blues songS as a framework, this saxophonist created some of the most abstract and unruly "energy" music ever. He died under mysterious circumstances in New York's East River on November 5, 1970 at the age of 34. Albert Ayler Ornette Coleman John Coltrane Pharoah Sanders

10. This multi-instrumentalist despised being labeled a "jazz" musician and indeed transcended the common perceptions of what jazz is by incorporating ethinic styles and instrumentation into his already formidable artistry. Kenny G Rahsaan Roland Kirk Yusef Lateef Stan Getz