Legends Of Jazz

BET.com recognizes the legends in jazz music for Black Music Month 2009.

Louis Armstrong - Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and deep, instantly recognizable voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extended well beyond jazz. He has been called the most important American musician of the 20th century.

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Louis Armstrong - Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and deep, instantly recognizable voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extended well beyond jazz. He has been called the most important American musician of the 20th century.

Music (Jazz): John Coltrane - Jazz musician and composer John Coltrane revolutionized the American jazz sound. He also played alongside several jazz greats including Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.

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John Coltrane - Coltrane started be-bop and hard bob and later pioneered free jazz. He is still renowned as one of the most significant tenor saxophonists in the history of jazz.

Miles Davis - He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was at the forefront of almost every major development in jazz throughout the 1900s.

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Miles Davis - He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was at the forefront of almost every major development in jazz throughout the 1900s.

Duke Ellington - The Duke brought a level of style and sophistication to jazz that it hadn't seen before. Although he was a gifted piano player, his orchestra was his principal instrument.

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Duke Ellington - The Duke brought a level of style and sophistication to jazz that it hadn't seen before. Although he was a gifted piano player, his orchestra was his principal instrument.

Ella Fitzgerald - "Lady Ella" boasted a three-octave vocal range and she is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century.

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Ella Fitzgerald - "Lady Ella" boasted a three-octave vocal range and she is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century.

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Dizzie Gillespie - The cheeks are memorable, but his trumpet playing is of legend.

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Dizzie Gillespie - The cheeks are memorable, but his trumpet playing is of legend.

Herbie Hancock - The legendary Herbie Hancock will receive the Musical Arts Award.

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Herbie Hancock - Hancock has transcended jazz ever since he touched an instrument. Hancock had 11 albums chart during the '70s and 17 between 1973 and 1984. He is quite possibly the most successful and eclectic jazz musician of all time.

Thelonious Monk - Widely considered one of the most important musicians in jazz -- he is one of only five jazz musicians to be featured on the cover of Time -- Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire.

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Thelonious Monk - Widely considered one of the most important musicians in jazz -- he is one of only five jazz musicians to be featured on the cover of Time -- Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire.

Charlie “Bird” Parker - "Bird" became an icon for the hipster subculture and later the Beat generation, personifying the conception of the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual, rather than just a popular entertainer.

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Charlie “Bird” Parker - "Bird" became an icon for the hipster subculture and later the Beat generation, personifying the conception of the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual, rather than just a popular entertainer.

Nina Simone - It's difficult to categorize the legendary Nina Simone. Her eclectic body of work spans multiple genres and her intense voice still sends shivers up the most accomplished musician's spine.

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Nina Simone - It's difficult to categorize the legendary Nina Simone. Her eclectic body of work spans multiple genres and her intense voice still sends shivers up the most accomplished musician's spine.

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Natalie Cole - Although a successful R&B star, Cole's roots run deep in jazz. Taking cues from her father Nat King Cole, Natalie still delivers jazz-based pop in today's era of music.

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Natalie Cole - Although a successful R&B star, Cole's roots run deep in jazz. Taking cues from her father Nat King Cole, Natalie still delivers jazz-based pop in today's era of music.

Branford Marsalis - A legendary saxophonist, Marsalis may be best known as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet. His work on films such as Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" and "Mo' Better Blues" as well as his numerous other recordings have made his name one of the most well known in jazz.

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Branford Marsalis - A legendary saxophonist, Marsalis may be best known as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet. His work on films such as Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" and "Mo' Better Blues" as well as his numerous other recordings have made his name one of the most well known in jazz.

Nancy Wilson - She's so difficult to classify, but Nancy Wilson and her outstanding voice have taken the jazz world by storm. Seventy-plus albums later and she is still making music as a living legend.

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Nancy Wilson - She's so difficult to classify, but Nancy Wilson and her outstanding voice have taken the jazz world by storm. Seventy-plus albums later and she is still making music as a living legend.

Esperanza Spalding - Easily the youngest legend on this list, Spalding was hailed as a prodigy on the double bass at the tender age of 15. She plays various instruments and sings, so expect Spalding to keep jazz alive for this generation.

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Esperanza Spalding - Easily the youngest legend on this list, Spalding was hailed as a prodigy on the double bass at the tender age of 15. She plays various instruments and sings, so expect Spalding to keep jazz alive for this generation.