Jazz Profiles presented by Tim Owens & 32 Bar Blues

Duke Ellington, Part 1

His name is synonymous with jazz – although his music is beyond category. Duke Ellington was a composer who enriched western music; a bandleader who used the instruments

Duke Ellington, Part 2

He may be the greatest jazz composer of all time. Certainly, the most prolific. He is also recognized as a “father” of Big Band jazz. As keyboardist – rooted in stride pi

Willie "The Lion" Smith

Irrepressible raconteur, indelible stylist, and giant of the Harlem stride piano, Willie “The Lion” Smith was an iconic American jazz pioneer. Known as a “musician’s musi

Dave Brubeck, Part 2

He simply is one of the most popular musicians in jazz. With his various quartets of piano, bass, drums and a horn – and his tours of college campuses the world over, he

Dave Brubeck, Part 1

His was the first jazz album to sell over a million copies. But his music – noted for its odd time signatures – was somehow accessible and hummable. And with his signatur

Billie Holiday

Considered by many to be the most memorable of all jazz singers, Billie Holiday remains a household name nearly 70 years after her death. She sang behind-the-beat, which

Betty Carter

Betty Carter is arguably the most adventurous female jazz vocalist in history. Known for her unique style and relentless improvisation, she challenged melodic and harmoni

Buddy DeFranco

A brilliant improviser and prodigious technician, Buddy DeFranco reinvented jazz clarinet in the 1940s and 1950s, moving past traditional swing to become the premier bebo

Bobby Hutcherson

Bobby Hutcherson’s sound and innovative style on the vibraphone helped revitalize the instrument in the 1960s, adding an adventurous new voice to the free jazz and post-b

Ahmad Jamal

When we started 32 Bar Blues back in 2012, Ahmad Jamal was our first featured musician. It was deeply intentional. Pianist, composer, orchestrator and educator, he is lau

Max Roach

A strong case can be made for Max Roach as the most complete drummer in jazz history. He was front-and-center for both the bebop movement that transformed jazz in the lat

Gil Evans

As an arranger, Gil Evans has few peers in jazz history. His style is instantly recognizable, often using unusual brass colorations for jazz, such as combinations of tuba

Mary Lou Williams

Pianist, composer, arranger, and innovator Mary Lou Williams’ musical career reflected the history of American jazz from the late 1920s through the 1970s. Described by Du

Jim Hall

Jazz guitarist Jim Hall’s technique has been called subtle, his sound mellow, and his compositions understated; yet his recording and playing history was anything but mod

Ray Brown

Recognized for decades as the world’s premier bassist, Ray Brown was a significant part of the modern jazz movement – earning numerous accolades like the National Endowme

Phil Woods

Known for his bright sound, impeccable technique, buoyant phrasing, and confident playing style, saxophonist Phil Woods was a true master of all things bop. He was also a

Toots Thielemans

Whistling guitarist and harmonica master Toots Thielemans played in everything from Charlie Parker’s band to commercials for Old Spice, on the theme from “Midnight Cowboy

Freddy Cole

Freddy Cole always drew comparisons to his brother, Nat, and strived to carve out his own space. But the one thing everyone agreed on was his talent as both a singer and

Carla Bley

An irrepressibly original composer, arranger and pianist, Carla Bley is responsible for more than 60 years of wily provocations in and around jazz. She once attributed he

Lee Konitz

A pioneer of the cool school, jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz was a prolific and idiosyncratic artist – respected as much for the way he didn’t play as for the way he did. Li