Originally written for & published on Rocket Radio (David Sikorski for reference)

Any music maven or jazz fan out there certainly knows of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and many other artists. But just as those big names left a lasting impression on the jazz scene, a new generation of artists are making their mark.

These modern jazz musicians have been on the music scene for a few years now but definitely deserve to be added to your playlist today.

Esperanza Spalding

A Portland-born musical prodigy from the age of 15, Esperanza Spalding has established herself as one of today’s top jazz musicians. Mastering the jazz bass, she has also distinguished herself playing blues, funk, hip-hop and Brazilian and Afro-Cuban styles.

With her 2006 debut album Junjo, Spalding burst onto the jazz scene and has since won multiple Grammys, including Best New Artist of 2010- the first jazz musician to be awarded this title. Her 2012 album Radio Music Society won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and her latest release, 2015’s Emily’s D+Evolution, has received widespread critical acclaim. Spalding’s versatile style is great for both newcomers to the jazz scene and long time jazz lovers alike.

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews

Troy Andrews, better known by his moniker Trombone Shorty, was born into a musical family. The grandson of Jessie Hill, a popular R&B recording artist, and the younger brother of James Andrews, a successful jazz trumpeter, Andrews mastered playing a variety of instruments before sticking with the trombone- thus picking up his nickname.

Andrews has performed extensively overseas and with a wide range of artists, from well-known jazz artists Wynton and Branford Marsalis to U2 and Green Day. His wide range of styles, playing everything from jazz-rock to New Orleans R&B and soul, make Trombone Shorty a must-listen to jazz musician.

The Hot Sardines

Founded in New York City by piano player Evan “Bibs” Palazzo and French singer “Miz” Elizabeth Bougerol, The Hot Sardines are a troupe of musicians that take inspiration from early American jazz. Influenced by greats like Thelonious Monk and Billie Holiday, the band transports listeners to a different era with their brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano melodies and lilting, enchanting vocals.

Their 2016 album French Fries & Champagne combines covers and originals as they effortlessly channel New York speakeasies, Parisian cabarets and New Orleans jazz halls. The group has gained praise from critics, been featured at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival and even debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard Jazz Chart alongside Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Needless to say, The Hot Sardines are a jazz band you should be listening to.

Robert Glasper

Jazz pianist Robert Glasper isn’t your typical jazz musician. His fusion of jazz with styles like R&B and hip hop makes him stand out among his contemporaries. Glasper’s 2012 release Black Radio demonstrated his talent for jazz fusion and won a Grammy for Best R&B album. His next album, 2016’s Everything’s Beautiful, remixed several Miles Davis tracks and featured an A-list of collaborators.

Although he’s primarily a jazz pianist, he’s recorded with a wide range of rappers and R&B artists, including Common, Erykah Badu, Norah Jones and Snoop Dogg. He’s also appeared on one of the biggest hip-hop albums in the past few years, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. In other words, Robert Glasper is a name to keep an eye on and a modern jazz musician to listen to.