During a career more than five decades long, "Spoon" brought a strong dose of blues to many of the jazz world's finest bands. With his full, powerful baritone delivery, he was one of the best of the "blues shouters."

After years of playing with Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, the saxophonist emerged as a jazz virtuoso by the end of the 1950s. But it was the restless exploration to follow that made him a pioneer of American music.

No modern jazz musician has a sound more influential yet less attainable than saxophonist John Coltrane. His pure tone was established by the mid-'50s, playing in Miles Davis' hard bop quintet. Coltrane's career was characterized by his constant, exponential advancement in improvisational technique and ideas. His sound reached its peak in his quartet of the '60s, which has served as a model for modern jazz ensembles for the last forty years.

A musician's musician whose original approach to the keyboard has made him the envy of virtually every pianist in jazz, Willie "The Lion" Smith was part of the Harlem stride scene perfected by pianists James P. Johnson and Thomas Fats Waller.

In the 1940s, the bandleader found himself staring at the impending decline of the Swing Era. But the sophisticated groups he put together in the years to come started a musical renaissance which helped confirm his place in jazz history.

Its conception unique, its talent unmatched, no group ever swung harder than the Basie big band of the 1930s and early '40s. It transformed its leader from Bill Basie, journeyman pianist into Count Basie, American folk hero.

From humble beginnings at the turn of the century, the pianist and bandleader rose to become an American success story. By 1935, Count Basie had passed through Harlem and arrived in Kansas City, primed to take his place among jazz royalty.

One of the most creative arrangers in jazz history, the composer and bandleader continuously developed new musical textures including many heralded collaborations with Miles Davis during a career of more than half a century.

No blues singer can escape the influence of Bessie Smith, "The Empress of the Blues". For over 100 years this legendary singer has been and continues to be a major influence on singers today.

By 1956, Mingus was known as an exceptional bass player and a budding composer. The ferocious burst of creative energy yet to come established him as one of the greatest minds in jazz history.

A prolific writer of extraordinarily innovative, highly personal music, as well as an influential leader, the powerful bassist brought a fiery virtuosity to hundreds of original compositions.

Admired by his peers as an adventurous original who forged a style of unrivaled virtuosity, Powell is still remembered for redrawing the course of modern jazz piano by pioneering bebop improvisation at the keyboard.

Whenever he took the stage, audiences were guaranteed a musical spectacle. Half mystic, half visionary, the pianist and bandleader charted a relentlessly adventurous course through the jazz tradition.

During his orchestra's heyday, he pioneered musical ideas which are now taken for granted. Today, the bandleader, arranger and pianist remains one of the most influential yet least-known masters of jazz.

Frank Sinatra left a permanent mark on 20th Century America in many forms of popular entertainment. As a vocalist, his versions of the country's popular songs set the definitive standard for singers and instrumentalists alike.

She was an excellent pianist, songwriter, storyteller, even actress. But Carmen McRae was best known as an outstanding song stylist, whose great strength was in her phrasing and interpretation of lyrics.

Duke Ellington's instrument was his orchestra, a hand-picked group of the best musicians available. His signature sound was a blend of talents, personalities and regional influences that each musician brought to the band.

While center stage, Duke Ellington led an institution which even the greatest musicians aspired to be part of. His band's ability to captivate audiences through extraordinary music and its exquisite presentation has never been replicated.

By the 1930s, Duke Ellington had already risen to the top of the jazz world. What was to come proved that his band occupied its own musical universe: Decade after decade, Ellington's ever-talented orchestra rode incredible waves of creativity.

He is now hailed as one of America's greatest musical eminences. But Duke Ellington's early career is the story of how a bright yet unremarkable teenage boy became a musical pioneer, an accomplished composer, and a leader of the world's most popular big band.

Whenever he took the stage, audiences were guaranteed a musical spectacle. Half mystic, half visionary, the pianist and bandleader charted a relentlessly adventurous course through the jazz tradition.

He was a sideman with the early stars of jazz, led one of the most admired bands on the Swing era, and catalyzed the careers of musicians like Charles Mingus. All the while, Red Norvo was bringing the mallet instruments to jazz.