- Miles Davis: - 1926 - 1991 - trumpeter & bandleader - music career spanned 50 years (inspiration to many) - defined the cool jazz era
- Dave Brubeck: - 1920 - 2012 - highly acclaimed west coast pianist (despite severe hand injuries) - created a military jazz band called "The Wolfpack"
- Gerry Mulligan: - 1927 - 1996 - one of the leading baritone saxophonists in history (signature light, airy tone) - brought cool jazz to the west coast