In order to perform jazz in an authentic way, students must listen to the sounds and styles of the great jazz artists.  Although the following list is by no means complete, it is a starting reference point to begin quality listening.

Big Band Leaders:

Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, Maynard Ferguson, Bob Mintzer, Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

Alto Sax:

Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond, Sonny Stitt, Lou Donaldson, Ornette Coleman, Lee Konitz, Johnny Hodges

Tenor Sax:

Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Ben Webster, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis

Bari Sax:

Gerry Mulligan, Pepper Adams, Harry Carney, Joe Temperley

Trumpet:

Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Lee Morgan, Clark Terry, Chet Baker, Roy Hargrove, Sean Jones

Trombone:

J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Curtis Fuller, Jack Teagarden, Frank Rosolino, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Turre

Piano:

Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland, Horace Silver, Ahmad Jamal, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Brad Mehldau

Vibes:

Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hutcherson, Terry Gibbs

Guitar:

Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, George Benson, Grant Green, John Scofield

Bass:

Ray Brown, Scott LaFaro, Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Rufus Reid, Steve Swallow, Jaco Pastorius, John Pattitucci

Drums:

Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, Philly Joe Jones, Mel Lewis, Louie Bellson