Musicians & Music
An overview of some of Saint Louis’ musical legends.
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Scott Joplin
Dates: November 24, 1868 – April 1, 1917
Genre: Classical, Ragtime
Musicality: Composer, Pianist
Fame: “King of Ragtime”
STL Connection: Lived in Saint Louis as an adult from 1901-1907.
Listen: The Entertainer
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Ella Jenkins
Dates: Born August 6, 1924
Genre: Folk, Children’s music
Musicality: Singer, Songwriter
Fame: Called the “First Lady of the Children’s Folk Song” by the Wisconsin State Journal
STL Connection: Born in Saint Louis. Grew up outside of Chicago.
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Johnnie Johnson
Dates: July 8, 1924 – April 13, 2005
Genre: Blues, Jazz, Rock and Roll
Musicality: Pianist, Songwriter
Fame: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with Chuck Berry.
STL Connection: Moved to Saint Louis in 1952. Assembled a jazz and blues group called the Sir John Trio.
Listen: Blues #572
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Chuck Berry
Dates: October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017
Genre: Rock and Roll & Rhythm and Blues
Musicality: Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
Fame: Called the “Father of Rock and Roll”
STL Connection: Born and raised in Saint Louis. Attended Sumner High School.
Listen: Maybellene
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Miles Davis
Dates: May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991
Genre: Jazz & Fusion
Musicality: Musician, Bandleader, Composer
Fame: The Guardian described him as “a pioneer of 20th-century music, leading many of the key developments in the world of jazz.”
STL Connection: Raised in East Saint Louis. Attended East Saint Louis Lincoln High School.
Listen: Bye Bye Blackbird
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Grace Bumbry
Dates: January 4, 1937 – May 7, 2023
Born: Grace Melzia Bumbry
Genre: Classical, Opera
Musicality: Singer
Fame: One of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation
STL Connection: Born in Saint Louis. Graduated from Sumner High School.
Listen: Aida
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Tina Turner
Dates: November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023
Born: Anna Mae Bullock
Genre: Rock and Roll
Musicality: Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Fame: “Queen of Rock and Roll”
STL Connection: Moved to Saint Louis at age 16 to live with her mother. Graduated from Sumner High School in 1958.
Listen: What’s Love Got to do with It
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Fontella Bass
Dates: July 3, 1940 – December 26, 2012
Genre: R&B, Soul, Pop, Gospel
Musicality: Singer, Songwriter
Fame: Best known for her 1965 number 1 R&B hit “Rescue Me”
STL Connection: Born in Saint Louis.
Listen: Rescue Me
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Donny Hathaway
Dates: October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979
AKA: Donny Pitts
Genre: R&B, Soul, Gospel, Jazz
Musicality: Singer, Keyboardist, Songwriter
Fame: Rolling Stones described him as a “soul legend.”
STL Connection: Raised by his grandmother in the Carr Square housing project of St. Louis.
Listen: Flying Easy
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Nelly
Dates: Born November 2, 1974
Born: Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.
Genre: Hip hop, R&B, pop, rap pop
Musicality: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor
Fame: He has been referred to by Peter Shapiro as "one of the biggest stars of the new millennium.”
STL Connection: Lived in Saint Louis and University City growing up.
Listen: Dilemma
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SZA
Dates: Born November 8, 1989
Born: Solána Imani Rowe
Genre: R&B, pop, hip hop, alternative R&B, neo soul
Musicality: Singer, Songwriter
Fame: She has received four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Guild of Music Supervisors Award, two Billboard Women in Music awards (including Woman of the Year), and a nomination for a Brit Award.
STL Connection: Born in Saint Louis. Raised in New Jersey.
Listen: Open Arms
Local Music Organizations
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Here, we're preserving the legacy and honoring the history of the music that gave voice to generations. Blues, baby, is the root of all American music, and we're here to show you just how deep those roots go.
Visit their website here: https://www.nationalbluesmuseum.org/
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For nearly three decades, Jazz St. Louis has been the foremost jazz presenter in St. Louis and throughout the region. We are dedicated to preserving the legacy of this musical genre. Hundreds of local and nationally renowned musicians, such as Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Harry Connick, Jr., and Al Jarreau have graced our stage. Our state-of-the-art Ferring Jazz Bistro has earned praise from artists and patrons alike as one of the best listening rooms in the country. Year after year, Jazz St. Louis strives to be the leader in showcasing unique and diverse jazz performers and preserves the shared cultural heritage embodied in jazz music through our educational programs.
Learn more here: https://jazzstl.org