people in music

Scott Joplin

Known as the 'King of Ragtime,' famous for Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer.

Louis Armstrong

A pioneering jazz trumpeter and vocalist, famous for What a Wonderful World.

James Reese Europe

A bandleader who introduced jazz and ragtime to Europe during WWI.

W.C. Handy

Known as the 'Father of the Blues,' published St. Louis Blues.

Charley Patton

An early Delta blues musician influencing later blues and rock artists.

Blind Lemon Jefferson

A pioneering country blues artist known for Matchbox Blues.

Robert Johnson

Legendary Delta blues guitarist known for Cross Road Blues.

Memphis Minnie

A prominent female blues guitarist and singer, known for Me and My Chauffeur Blues.

Fiddlin’ John Carson

One of the first country recording artists, known for The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane.

Vernon Dalhart

A country singer known for The Prisoner’s Song.

Carter Family

A foundational country music group known for Can the Circle Be Unbroken.

Jimmie Rodgers

Known as the 'Father of Country Music,' famous for his yodeling style.

Paul Whiteman

A bandleader who blended jazz with classical influences, promoting 'symphonic jazz'.

Duke Ellington

A major jazz composer and bandleader, known for Take the A Train.

Benny Goodman

Known as the 'King of Swing,' helped popularize jazz for white audiences.

Count Basie

A key figure in swing music, known for One O’Clock Jump.

Woody Herman

A clarinetist and big band leader known for swing and jazz.

Kay Kyser

A big band leader and radio personality.

Don Azpiazu

A Cuban musician who popularized Latin music in the U.S. with The Peanut Vendor.

Xavier Cugat

A Spanish-American bandleader who introduced Latin rhythms to big bands.

Cab Calloway

A swing and jazz bandleader known for Minnie the Moocher.

Cole Porter

A songwriter known for witty lyrics like Anything Goes and Night and Day.

Irving Berlin

One of America’s most successful songwriters known for White Christmas.

George Gershwin

A composer blending classical and jazz, known for Rhapsody in Blue.

Charlie Parker

A bebop pioneer and saxophonist who revolutionized jazz.

Frank Sinatra

A major pop and jazz vocalist known for My Way.

Nat King Cole

A smooth jazz/pop singer known for Unforgettable.

Eddy Arnold

A country crooner who helped make country music more mainstream.

Big Mama Thornton

An R&B singer who originally recorded Hound Dog.