Question: who are the jazz greats?
Answer: Charles Mingus 1922-79. Most people know Mingus as a pioneering bass player, but to me he's the most raucous and inventive composer of his era. ...  John Coltrane 1926-67. ...  Mary Lou Williams 1910-81. ...  Herbie Hancock 1940- ...  Nat King Cole 1919-65. ...  Miles Davis 1926-91. ...  Keith Jarrett 1945- ...  Kurt Elling 1967-