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Duke Ellington (1899-1974)
Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 and died on May 24, 1974. He played the piano.
(picture via https://www.francemusique.com/musical-knowledge/5-reasons-why-duke-ellington-one-most-important-jazzmen-20th-century-20741) -
First Olympic Games to feature women (1900)
The Summer Olympic Games held in Paris, starting May 14, 1900 was the first to include women.
(picture via https://timeline.com/most-badass-women-olympians-710204b0f3d6) -
Count Basie (1904-1984)
Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904 and died on April 26, 1984. He played the piano and was a bandleader.
(picture via https://www.discogs.com/artist/145262-Count-Basie) -
Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969)
Coleman Hawkins was born on November 21, 1904 and died on May 19, 1969. He played the tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, and clarinet.
(picture via https://www.jazziz.com/short-history-disorder-border-coleman-hawkins-1944/) -
Claude Thornhill (1908-1965)
Claude Thornhill was born on August 10, 1908 and died on July 1, 1965. He played the piano and was a bandleader.
(picture via https://www.loc.gov/item/gottlieb.15591/) -
Gil Evans (1912-1988)
Gil Evans was born on May 13, 1912 and died on March 20, 1988. He played the piano and was an arranger.
(picture via https://www.morrisonhotelgallery.com/photographs/GzisZ8/Gil-Evans) -
Woody Herman (1913-1987)
Woody Herman was born on May 16, 1913 and died on October 29, 1987. He played the clarinet and was a bandleader.
(picture via https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/11276) -
Henry Ford Assembly Line (1913)
On December 1, 1913, the first moving assembly line was introduced by Henry Ford. This assembly line allowed for quicker mass production of automobiles.
(picture via https://www.thoughtco.com/henry-ford-and-the-assembly-line-1779201) -
Kenny Clarke (1914-1985)
Kenny Clarke was born on January 9, 1914 and died on January 26, 1985. He played the drums.
(picture via https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2014/01/08/260769892/the-drummer-who-invented-jazzs-basic-beat) -
Sun Ra (1914-1993)
Sun Ra was born on May 22, 1914 and died on May 30, 1993. He played the piano, organ, keyboards, minimoog, celesta, and was a singer. He claimed to have been born on Saturn and descended into the astral plane. He was technically born as Herman Poole Blout, who ascended into the role of Sun Ra. Sun Ra played the Outer Space Visual Communicator (OVC), but Herman Poole Blout played the piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Ra) -
Panama Canal opens (1914)
On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal opened and the SS Ancon was the first ship to pass through.
(picture via https://www.pinterest.com/pin/176344141630254618/?lp=true) -
Charlie Christian (1916-1942)
Charlie Christian was born on July 29, 1916 and died on March 2, 1942. He played the guitar.
(picture via https://aaregistry.org/story/charlie-christian-the-father-of-jazz-guitar/) -
Thelonious Monk (1917-1982)
Thelonious Monk was born on October 10, 1917 and died on February 17, 1982. He played the Piano.
(picture via https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2017/10/10/thelonious-monk-100) -
Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993)
Dizzy Gillespie was born on October 21, 1917 and died on January 6, 1993. He played the trumpet.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_Gillespie) -
Lennie Tristano (1919-1978)
Lennie Tristano was born on March 19, 1919 and died on November 18, 1978. He played the piano.
(picture via https://musicaficionado.blog/2016/10/24/turkish-mambo-by-lennie-tristano/) -
Art Blakey (1919-1990)
Art Blakey was born on October 11, 1919 and died on October 16, 1990. He played the drums and percussion.
(picture via http://artblakey.com) -
John Lewis (1920-2001)
John Lewis was born on May 3, 1920 and died on March 29, 2001. He played the piano. He was also the pianist for the the Modern Jazz Quartet.
(picture via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Wu8bmQl0E) -
Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker was born on August 29, 1920 and died on March 12, 1955. He played the alto saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Parker) -
Dave Brubeck (1920-2012)
Dave Brubeck was born on December 6, 1920 and died on December 5, 2012. He played the piano.
(picture via https://www.jazziz.com/5-landmark-bud-powell-recordings-golden-period/) -
Charles Mingus (1922-1979)
Charles Mingus was born on April 22, 1922 and died on January 5, 1979. He played the double bass, piano, and cello.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Mingus) -
Dexter Gordon (1923-1990)
Dexter Gordon was born on February 27, 1923 and died on April 25, 1990. He played the tenor saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_Gordon) -
Wes Montgomery (1923-1968)
Wes Montgomery was born on march 6, 1923 and died on June 15, 1968. He played the guitar.
(picture via https://www.jazzwax.com/2019/04/wes-montgomery-back-on-indy.html) -
George Russell (1923-2009)
George Russell was born on June 23, 1923 and died on July 27, 2009. He played the piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Russell_(composer)) -
Fats Navarro (1923-1950)
Fats Navarro was born on September 24, 1923 and died on July 7, 1950. He played the trumpet.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fats_Navarro) -
Max Roach (1924-2007)
Max Roach was born on January 10, 1924 and died on August 16, 2007. He played the drums and the piano.
(picture via https://www.britannica.com/biography/Max-Roach) -
J.J. Johnson (1924-2001)
J.J. Johnson was born on January 22, 1924 and died on February 4, 2001. He played the Trombone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Johnson) -
Bud Powell (1924-1966)
Bud Powell was born on September 27, 1924 and died on July 31, 1966. He played the piano.
(picture via https://www.jazziz.com/5-landmark-bud-powell-recordings-golden-period/) -
Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)
Oscar Peterson was born on August 15, 1925 and died on December 23, 2007. He played the piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Peterson) -
Gunther Schuller (1925-2015)
Gunther Schuller was born on November 22, 1925 and died on June 21, 2015. He played the French horn and the flute.
(picture via https://www.jazzwax.com/2010/01/interview-gunther-schuller-part-2.html) -
Jimmy Smith (1925-2005)
Jimmy Smith was born on December 8, 1925 and died on February 8, 2005. He played the Hammond B-3 Organ.
(picture via https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-jimmy-smith-jazz-musician-1956-31280463.html) -
Miles Davis (1926-1991)
Miles Davis was born on May 26, 1926 and died on September 28, 1991. He played the trumpet.
(picture via https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/erin-davis-vince-wilburn-interview/) -
John Coltrane (1926-1967)
John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926 and died on July 17, 1967. He played the tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, and the flute.
(picture via https://www.discogs.com/artist/97545-John-Coltrane) -
Ray Brown (1926-2002)
Ray Brown was born on October 13, 1926 and died on July 2, 2002. He played the double bass.
(picture via https://photos.allaboutjazz.com/gallery_image.php?id=157501) -
Stan Getz (1927-1991)
Stan Getz was born on February 2, 1927 and died on June 6, 1991. He played the tenor saxophone and the baritone saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Getz) -
Gerry Mulligan (1927-1996)
Gerry Mulligan was born on April 6, 1927 and died on January 20, 1996. He played the baritone saxophone and was an arranger.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Mulligan) -
Lee Konitz (1927-present)
Lee Konitz was born on October 13, 1927. He is still alive. He plays the saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Konitz) -
Eric Dolphy (1928-1964)
Eric Dolphy was born on June 20, 1928 and died on June 29, 1964. He played the alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, soprano clarinet baritone saxophone, and piccolo.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Dolphy) -
Horace Silver (1928-2014)
Horace Silver was born on September 2, 1928 and died on June 18, 2014. He played the piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Silver) -
Cannonball Adderley (1928-1975)
Cannonball Adderley was born on September 15, 1928 and died on August 8, 1975. He played the alto saxophone and the soprano saxophone.
(picture via https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cannonball-Adderley) -
Cecil Taylor (1929-2018)
Cecil Taylor was born on March 25, 1929 and died on April 5, 2018. He played the piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Taylor) -
Bill Evans (1929-1980)
Bill Evans was born on August 16, 1929 and died on September 15, 1980. He played the Piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Evans) -
Chet Baker (1929-1988)
Chet Baker was born on December 23, 1929 and died on May 13, 1988. He played the trumpet, flugelhorn, and was a singer.
(picture via https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/10259-chet-baker-albums/8-dvds) -
Ornette Coleman (1930-2015)
Ornette Coleman was born on Mach 9, 1930 and died on June 11, 2015. He played the alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, violin, and trumpet.
(picture via https://jazztimes.com/features/profiles/the-crosscultural-significance-of-ornette-coleman/) -
Sonny Rollins (1930-present)
Sonny Rollins was born on September 7, 1930. He is still alive. He plays the tenor saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Rollins) -
The Star Spangled Banner adopted (1931)
On March 3, 1931, The Star Spangled Banner was adopted as the United States' national anthem.
(picture via https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-story-behind-the-star-spangled-banner-149220970/) -
Joe Zawinul (1932-2007)
Joe Zawinul was born on July 7, 1932 and died on September 11, 2007. He played the keyboards.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Zawinul) -
Wayne Shorter (1933-present)
Wayne Shorter was born on August 25, 1933. He is still alive. He plays the tenor saxophone and soprano saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Shorter) -
Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008)
Freddie Hubbard was born on April 7, 1938 and died on December 29, 2008. He played the trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, French horn, and mellophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Hubbard) -
Lee Morgan (1938-1972)
Lee Morgan was born on July 10, 1938 and died on February 19, 1972. He played the Trumpet and fluegelhorn.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Morgan) -
McCoy Tyner (1938-present)
McCoy Tyner was born on December 11, 1938. He is still alive. He plays the piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCoy_Tyner) -
Blue Note Records founded (1939)
In 1939, Blue Note Records was founded.
(picture via https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-50-greatest-blue-note-albums/) -
Period: to
Bebop (1939-1955)
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World War II begins (1939)
On September 1, 1939, WWII begins in Europe when Germany invaded Poland.
(picture via https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/09/world/world-war-ii-fast-facts/index.html) -
Herbie Hancock (1940-present)
Herbie Hancock was born on April 12, 1940. He is still alive. He plays the piano, keyboard, and synths.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbie_Hancock) -
Chick Corea (1941-present)
Chick Corea was born on June 12, 1941. He is still alive. He plays the piano and keyboards.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_Corea) -
John McLaughlin (1942-present)
John McLaughlin was born on January 4, 1942. He is still alive. He plays the guitar.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McLaughlin_(musician)) -
Keith Jarrett (1945-present)
Keith Jarrett was born on May 8, 1945. He is still alive. He plays the piano and the harpsichord.
(picture via https://www.wmky.org/post/keith-jarrett-1960s) -
Anthony Braxton (1945-present)
Anthony Braxton was born on June 4, 1945. He is still alive. He plays the saxophone, clarinet, flute, and piano.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Braxton) -
First atomic bomb is dropped (1945)
On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima.
(picture via https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/atomic-bomb-history) -
World War II ends (1945)
On September 2, 1945, WWII ended, with Japan's surrender.
(picture via https://www.historyonthenet.com/when-did-ww2-2-end) -
The Cold War starts (1947)
The Cold War begins following the end of WWII, with the struggle and rivalry between the United States and the USSR.
(picture via https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war) -
Period: to
Cool Jazz (1947-1970)
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Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play in the MLB (1947)
On April 15, 1947, playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson) -
Period: to
Civil Rights Movement (1948-1968)
The Civil Rights Movement began in the late 1940s with Truman's Executive Order 9981, and ended in the late 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement was led by black Americans in order to end racial discrimination and to fight for equal rights under the law. -
Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987)
Jaco Pastorius was born on December 1, 1951 and died on September 21, 1987. He played the electric bass.
(picture via https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/46a6fac0-2e14-4214-b08e-3bdb1cffa5aa) -
The Modern Jazz Quartet (1952-1997)
The Modern Jazz Quartet first began as the rhythm section for Dizzy Gillespie's band. They split off into their own group in 1946 and were officially named the Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952. Milt Jackson (vibes), John Lewis (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Connie Kay (drums) made up the MJQ.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Jazz_Quartet) -
Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II (1952)
On February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth is crowned queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the age of 25.
(picture via https://www.thoughtco.com/princess-elizabeth-becomes-queen-1779354) -
Pat Metheny (1954-present)
Pat Metheny was born on August 12, 1954. He is still alive. He plays the guitar.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Metheny) -
Period: to
Hard Bop (1955-1965)
The first Hard Bop album from the Jazz Messengers was recorded in 1955. -
Disneyland Park opened (1955)
On July 17, 1955,Walt Disney officially opened Disneyland Park to the public in Anaheim, California.
(picture via https://www.designingdisney.com/parks/disneyland-resort/grand-opening-disneyland/) -
Rosa Parks Bus Boycott (1955)
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama.
(picture via https://theundefeated.com/features/on-this-day-rosa-parks-refused-to-give-up-her-bus-seat-igniting-the-civil-rights-movement/) -
Period: to
Modal Jazz (1958-1968)
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Period: to
Free Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz (1959-1975)
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Branford Marsalis (1960-present)
Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960. He is still alive. He plays the saxophones (all of them).
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branford_Marsalis) -
Maria Schneider (1960-present)
Maria Schneider was born on November 27, 1960. She is still alive. She plays the piano. She is also an arranger. She never plays on her own albums.
(picture via https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704648604575620621647434414) -
Wynton Marsalis (1961-present)
Wynton Marsalis was born on October 18, 1961. He is still alive. He plays the trumpet.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynton_Marsalis) -
Terence Blanchard (1962-present)
Terence Blanchard was born on March 13, 1962. He is still alive. He plays the trumpet. He is also a gifted composer of film scores and opera.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_Blanchard) -
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a dream" speech.
(picture via https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety) -
Billy Martin (1963-present)
Billy Martin was born on October 30, 1963. He is still alive. He plays the drums. He is a member of Medeski, Martin, and Wood.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Martin_(percussionist)) -
JFK Assassination (1963)
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
(picture via http://www.oarquivo.com.br/livros/viewdownload/5-esoterismo-misticismo-e-outros-temas-insolitos/441-peca-e-lhe-sera-concedido) -
Cvil Rights Act (1964)
On July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson.
(picture via https://www.countable.us/articles/709-date-civil-rights-act-1964-law) -
Malcom X was shot (1965)
On February 21, 1965, Malcom X was shot while speaking in Harlem.
(picture via https://www.biography.com/news/assassination-of-malcolm-x) -
John Medeski (1965-present)
John Medeski was born on June 28, 1965. He is still alive. He plays the keyboards and piano. He is a member of Medeski, Martin, and Wood.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Medeski) -
MLK assassination (1968)
On April 4, 1968, MLK was assassinated on a motel balcony in Tennessee.
(picture via https://apnews.com/a5fa959c9c3a418d9f5eb1b1badb8db2) -
Joshua Redman (1969-present)
Joshua Redman was born on February 1, 1969. He is still alive. He plays the tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, and the keyboards.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Redman) -
Neil Armstrong walks on the moon (1969)
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon.
(picture via https://www.insideedition.com/what-happened-12-men-who-walked-moon-45200) -
Apollo 11 lands on the moon (1969)
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon, making it the first spacecraft to land people on the moon.
(picture via https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/20/us/apollo-11-moon-mission-landing-anniversary-scn/index.html) -
Chris Wood (1969-present)
Chris wood was born on November 25, 1969. He is still alive. He plays the double bass and bass guitar. He is a member of Medeski, Martin and Wood.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Wood_(jazz_musician)) -
Period: to
Jazz Fusion (1970-1990)
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Brad Mehldau (1970-present)
Brad Mehldau was born on August 23, 1970. He is still alive. He plays the piano, and very rarely other keyboards. He started out by playing RadioHead tunes.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Mehldau) -
Walt Disney World opened (1971)
On October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened to the public in Orlando, Florida.
(picture via https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/10/this-day-in-history-walt-disney-world-resort-officially-opens-1971/) -
Jason Moran (1975-present)
Jason Moran was born on January 21, 1975. He is still alive. He plays the piano.
(picture via https://www.sfcv.org/article/imani-winds-and-jason-moran-minimally-inspired-major-imprint) -
Robert Glasper (1978-present)
Robert Glasper was born on April 5, 1978. He is still alive. He plays the piano, fender rhodes, and keyboard.
(picture via https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8469954/robert-glasper-october-nyc-residency-blue-note-jazz) -
The Jonestown Massacre (1978)
On November 18, 1978, 900 members of Jim Jones's Peoples Temple cult died by mass suicide-murder.
(picture via https://cryptome.org/eyeball/jonestown/jonestown.htm) -
Kamasi Washington (1981-present)
Kamasi Washington was born on February 18, 1981. He is still alive. He plays the saxophone.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamasi_Washington) -
Esperanza Spalding (1984-present)
Esperanza Spalding was born on October 18, 1984. She is still alive. She plays the electric bass, acoustic bass, and is a singer.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanza_Spalding) -
The Berlin Wall falls (1989)
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. It fell when East Berlin citizens rushed the wall after hearing the press conference where Gunter Schabowski accidentally opened the border between West and East Berlin.
(picture via https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/11/03/berlin-walls-fall-marked-the-end-of-the-cold-war-for-the-american-public/) -
Medeski, Martin, and Wood (1991-present)
Medeski, Martin, and Wood is a group that plays more Funk Jazz. The group has been active since 1991. The members include John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood.
(picture via https://www.facebook.com/mmwband/) -
The Cold War ends (1991)
Towards the end of 1991, the Cold War officially ends as the Soviet Union completely falls apart and ceases to exist.
(picture via https://vq.vassar.edu/issues/2014/03/features/cold-war-reexamining.html) -
Million Man March (1995)
On October 16, 1995, thousands of black men gathered in Washington D.C.
(picture via https://twitter.com/themillionmanm) -
Disney Cruise Line is operational (1998)
On July 30, 1998, Disney's first cruise ship, the Disney Magic, set sail on her inaugural voyage. This sailing put Disney Cruise Line into business. Since then, they have created 3 other ships (Wonder, Dream, Fantasy) and are building 3 more within the next few years.
(picture via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Wonder) -
Period: to
Contemporary Jazz (2000-present)
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September 11 Attacks (2001)
On September 11, 2001, terrorists flew planes into the Twin Towers, the pentagon, and the World Trade Center, killing thousands of people.
(picture via https://www.businessinsider.com/cubs-win-first-world-series-since-1908-2016-11) -
Barack Obama is inaugurated (2009)
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president, and officially becomes the first black president.
(picture via https://www.npr.org/series/99286923/presidential-inauguration-of-barack-obama) -
Cubs win third World Series title (2016)
On November 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs won their second World Series title, after 108 years.
(picture via https://www.businessinsider.com/cubs-win-first-world-series-since-1908-2016-11)
