Houston's rich jazz history has produced an impressive roster of world-renowned musicians. While jazz remains a largely
unnoticed artform in this part of the world, it's soulful, southern heritage has produced a powerful, identifiable sound.
Here are some of the better known players who hail from this Third Coast mecca:
Among the better known names hailing from this Gulf Coast metropolis are The Crusaders, Hubert & Ronnie Laws, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Eric Harland, Mike Moreno, Chris Dave, Helen Sung, Kendrick Scott, Shelly Berg, G.T. Hogan, Don Wilkerson, Arnett Cobb, Jimmy Ford, Herman Matthews, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. (longtime Duke Ellington member), Frank Lacy, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Resident luminaries include (but are not limited to) Joe Sample, Bobby Lyle, Mark Simmons (Al Jarreau, George Duke), Andre Hayward (Monk Competition winner), Chris Walker, Marsha Frazier, Paul English, David Caceres, Sebastian Whittaker, Larry Slezak, Kyle Turner, Dennis Dotson, Joe Locascio, Woody Witt, and Pamela York (Great American Piano Competition winner).
