NPR: Jazz Profiles Podcast

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.

Arguably the most influential baritone saxophonist in jazz history, Mulligan developed the big horn into a solo instrument in small group settings. And with larger groups, he helped engineer the sound that came to be known as "cool jazz."

Arguably the most influential baritone saxophonist in jazz history, Mulligan developed the big horn into a solo instrument in small group settings. And with larger groups, he helped engineer the sound that came to be known as "cool jazz."

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.

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.

As a player whose incredible longevity linked him to the jazz pioneers, Benny Waters reemerged late in life as one of the great, unsung saxophonists in jazz. He had played with all the legends-King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford, and Hot Lips Page. After a forty-year stay in France, Waters returned to the United States. In the final years of his life he was discovered by a new generation and was very active: playing jazz festivals, composing, recording, and telling stories.

As a player whose incredible longevity linked him to the jazz pioneers, Benny Waters reemerged late in life as one of the great, unsung saxophonists in jazz. He had played with all the legends-King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford, and Hot Lips Page. After a forty-year stay in France, Waters returned to the United States. In the final years of his life he was discovered by a new generation and was very active: playing jazz festivals, composing, recording, and telling stories.

Singer Sarah Vaughan was affectionately known as both "Sassy" and "The Divine One." Only a singer capable of such a wide variety of expression, with both human and angelic qualities, could inspire such different yet accurate nicknames.