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Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993) - Trumpet virtuoso, improviser extraordinaire, and one of the legendary names in jazz, Gillespie's pouched cheeks became one of his most endearing characteristics.

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Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) - Nicknamed "Satchmo," Armstrong is celebrated as much for his rich, gravelly voice as his natural genius with the horn. Arguably the most famous of all the jazz greats.

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Miles Davis (1926–1991) - Not only one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz, but in 20th century music in general. Davis later branched out into visual arts, films, and television work.

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Duke Ellington (1899–1974) - Composer, pianist, and leader of his own jazz orchestra, Ellington elevated jazz to an art form.

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Charlie Parker (1920–1955) - The "Bird" was a leading exponent of bebop, a form of jazz characterized by rapid tempos.

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Buddy Rich (1917–1987) - One of the most influential drummers of all time, Rich's singular technique coupled with incredible speed and power has never been matched.

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Sonny Rollins (1930–) - The tenor saxophonist is still making people sit up and listen, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential living jazz musicians working today. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Benny Goodman (1909–1986) - Known as the "King of Swing," Goodman excelled as a jazz clarinetist, but was also a hugely popular bandleader. 

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Art Tatum (1909–1956) - Up there as one of the greatest jazz pianists ever to have hit the ivories, Tatum was always regarded as a musician way ahead of his time.

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Chet Baker (1929–1988) - The critically acclaimed trumpeter and vocalist led an often tormented life due to drug addiction, and his career post 1950s suffered as a result.

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Count Basie (1904–1984) - The Count Basie Orchestra became one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, with Basie himself leading from the piano seat.

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Django Reinhardt (1910–1953) - Incredibly, this brilliant Belgian-born Romani-French jazz guitarist was still able to play guitar without the use of the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand, a result of burns received in an accident.

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John Coltrane (1926–1967) - Coltrane pioneered modal jazz (jazz that uses musical notes rather than chord progressions), and enthusiastically promoted free jazz techniques by turning his back on conventional instrumentation.

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Thelonious Monk (1917–1982) - Another influential exponent of improvisation, Monk was known to stop playing piano mid-flow and get up to dance on stage before returning to his stool.

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Dave Brubeck (1920–2012) - The Dave Brubeck Quartet's super smooth saxophone melody 'Take Five,' recorded in 1959, has endured as a favorite jazz classic.  

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Charles Mingus (1922–1979) - The jazz double bassist was also an accomplished pianist, composer, and bandleader. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Ben Webster (1909–1973) - Webster learned to play piano and violin before being seduced by the saxophone. He became one of the most important "swing tenors" in the business.

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Bill Evans (1929–1980) - Classically trained Evans embraced jazz in the late 1950s after he joined Miles Davis's sextet, where he was to have a profound influence. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Fats Waller (1904–1943) - Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller composed several endearing jazz hits, including 'Ain't Misbehavin',' and 'Honeysuckle Rose.'

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Stan Getz (1927–1991) - Getz was just 16 when he was accepted into Jack Teagarden's band. He later played along with Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton.

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Keith Jarrett (1945–) - Jarrett's seminal 1975 live album 'The Köln Concert' remains the best-selling solo album in jazz history, and the all-time best-selling piano album.

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Wes Montgomery (1923–1968) - One of the preeminent jazz guitarists of the era, Montgomery's early death at age 45 occurred at the height of his fame.

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Coleman Hawkins (1904–1969) - Known to his admirers as "The Hawk," this virtuoso tenor saxophonist is acknowledged as one of the first true masters of the instrument.  

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Earl Hines (1903–1983) - Several of his contemporaries, among them the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, extolled the virtues of Hines's piano playing as having shaped the history of jazz. 

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Lester Young (1909–1959) - Coming to prominence as a member of the Count Basie Orchestra, Young was also widely acclaimed for his mastery of the tenor saxophone. 

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Lionel Hampton (1908–2002) - The speed and dexterity with which Hampton played the vibraphone led him to work with such illustrious names as Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Charles Mingus, and Quincy Jones. 

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Mary Lou Williams (1910–1981) - Few women rose to achieve the adulation their male counterparts enjoyed, but Mary Lou Williams was a deserved exception. The pianist, arranger, and composer wrote and arranged for Duke Ellington among others, and even tutored the likes of Thelonious Monk.

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Max Roach (1924–2007) - Roach provided the beat for many famous jazz musicians, working in a wide range of styles and earning the distinction as one of the most important drummers in history.

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Nat King Cole ( 1919–1965) - Blessed with a beautifully mellow voice and remembered for evergreen hits like 'Ramblin' Rose' and 'When I Fall in Love,' Nat King Cole was equally celebrated for his piano-led trio—the model for small jazz ensembles that followed.

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Gerry Mulligan (1927–1996) - One of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists of the day, Mulligan was also a gifted clarinetist, pianist, composer, and arranger. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Wynton Marsalis (1961– ) - One of the new wave of pioneers that actively promote jazz music to a younger audience, Marsalis is also a huge admirer of classical music. Indeed, he is currently the only musician to win a Grammy Award in jazz and classical during the same year.

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Herbie Hancock (1940–) - A multi-award winning pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer, Hancock has experimented with jazz fusion, funk, and electro styles. He's also scored a number of film soundtracks.

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