- Sydney Bechet: - 1897 - 1959 - distinct passionate sound w/wide vibrato - first black jazz recording artist before Louis Armstrong
- Jelly Roll Morton: - 1890 - 1941 - died from a stab wound, as he was denied treatment at a "white only" hospital - first jazz arranger (created "orchestrations") - used piano rolls & led the way for stride piano playing
- Louis Armstrong: - 1901 - 1971 - went from New Orleans to NYC to Chicago - one of the world's most well-known scat and pop singers