The young musicians who energized jazz in the 1980's had become establishment figures by the end of the 1990's. They included trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Wynton Marsalis, guitarist Pat Metheny, trombonists Steve Turre and Ray Anderson, and pianist Chick Corea. They included saxophonists Joshua Redman and Donald Harrison, bassist Christian McBride, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and pianist Marcus Roberts. At the same time, the free jazz style of the 1960's continued strong throughout the 1990's in the playing of saxophonists Steve Lacy and Roscoe Mitchell, pianist John Zorn, and their young followers. Today, jazz continues to feature a variety of styles.
Many musicians play in historic styles, such as swing and bebop.
Others seek a more experimental approach. For example, the Art Ensemble of Chicago blends free jazz, African costumes and makeup, exotic instruments, and surprise techniques into theatrical musical events. Ornette Coleman's group, called Prime Time, mixes free and fusion jazz in new and interesting ways. Electronics technology is gaining a greater role in jazz music. Such young jazz composers as Michael Daugherty are demonstrating that live musicians can interact creatively with computer-generated sound.