Famous African American Jazz Players (1900’s) By: Olivia Yates

Duke Ellington American composer, pianist, and big band leader. American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Duke Ellington became one of the most influential artists in the history of recorded music. Duke Ellington became one of the most influential artists in the history of recorded music. Is largely recognized as one of the greatest figures in the history of jazz. Is largely recognized as one of the greatest figures in the history of jazz.

Mary Lou Williams American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Williams wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements, and recorded more than one hundred records. Williams wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements, and recorded more than one hundred records.

Charlie Parker American jazz saxophonist and composer. American jazz saxophonist and composer. Parker, with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, is often considered one of the most influential of jazz musicians. Parker, with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, is often considered one of the most influential of jazz musicians.

Nat King Cole American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. He owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres. He owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres.

Ray Nance An jazz trumpeter, violinist and singer. An jazz trumpeter, violinist and singer. Nance was often featured on violin and was the only violin soloist ever featured in Ellington's orchestra. He is also one of the well-known vocalists from the Ellington orchestra. Nance was often featured on violin and was the only violin soloist ever featured in Ellington's orchestra. He is also one of the well-known vocalists from the Ellington orchestra.

Dizzy Gillespie An American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, singer, and composer. An American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, singer, and composer. He was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz. He was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz.

Miles Davis Was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. Widely considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Louis Armstrong Was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Armstrong was a influence on jazz, shifting the music's focus from collective groups to solo performers. Armstrong was a influence on jazz, shifting the music's focus from collective groups to solo performers.

Chris Smith Was on of the first black composer. Was on of the first black composer. He is best remembered as the composer of Ballin' the Jack.”Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz: Faces of Jazz” He is best remembered as the composer of Ballin' the Jack.”Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz: Faces of Jazz”Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz: Faces of JazzPhotographs from the Golden Age of Jazz: Faces of Jazz

Bertha "Chippie" Hill An American blues singer and dancer. An American blues singer and dancer. She performed with Ma Rainey and Louis Armstrong. She performed with Ma Rainey and Louis Armstrong.

Reference (APA) Stokes, W. R. (n.d.). The Faces of Jazz. Retrieved from Stokes, W. R. (n.d.). The Faces of Jazz. Retrieved from Spottswood, R. (n.d.). African American Performers on Early Sound Recordings, Retrieved from ult.html Spottswood, R. (n.d.). African American Performers on Early Sound Recordings, Retrieved from ult.html