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Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock is certainly the best-known jazz pianist alive, and he may be the best, if there can be such a thing. He's been an innovator for over thirty years: In his early twenties he redefined the rhythm section as part of the last acoustic Miles Davis band. Since then, he's headed into soundtrack work, Eastern mysticism, fusion, and hip-hop - while continuing to perform (and occasionally record) the acoustic jazz that first made his reputation, and may end up as his most lasting contribution. He has loads of technical ability, but he's really remarkable for his extraordinary harmonic sense and rhythmic openness - both qualities are heard best on his more traditional work.

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John McLaughlin
Probably the greatest guitarists in the world. Came into prominence during the early seventies when he took the world by a storm with his highly acclaimed Mahavishnu Orchestra. The short lived, but extremely intense musical adventure of the Mahavishnu Orchestra established McLaughlin as the brightest star on the musical firmament of the glorious fusion scene in the seventies. There have been only three guitarist before McLaughlin whose influence could be compared to the undeniable impact of McLaughlin's musical vision - Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery. Among the four of these guitar Masters, McLaughlin stands out as the most intense, most virtuosic, most spiritual.

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Wayne Shorter
Though some will argue about whether Wayne Shorter's primary impact on jazz has been as a composer or as a saxophonist, hardly anyone will dispute his overall importance as one of jazz's leading figures over a long span of time. Though indebted to a great extent to John Coltrane, with whom he practiced in the mid-'50s while still an undergraduate, Shorter eventually developed his own more succinct manner on tenor sax, retaining the tough tone quality and intensity and in later years, adding an element of funk. On soprano, Shorter is almost another player entirely, his lovely tone shining like a light beam, his sensibilities attuned more to lyrical thoughts, his choice of notes becoming more spare as his career unfolded.

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Michael Brecker
A major figure in contemporary instrumental music, tenor saxophonist and composer Michael Brecker is a 13-time Grammy-winner, and the first to win "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance" and "Best Jazz Instrumental Solo"- two years in a row. As a result of his stylistic and harmonic innovations, Brecker is among the most studied instrumentalists in music schools throughout the world today. Following a two-and-a-half year illness, Michael Brecker passed away at the age of 57 in January 2007.

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Mike Stern
A rocking, experimental guitarist who rose to fame playing in a pair of Miles Davis' bands, Mike Stern is a competent bebop and hard bop player, and an excellent fusion and jazz-rock musician. He's provided some wondrous riffs, blistering lines, complex voicings, and dynamite phrases doing fusion, playing with much more force and vigor than on more conventional jazz. Mike Stern has the respect of musicians and Jazz afficionados around the world. He's versatile and individual, having worked with Jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny and Micheal Brecker - to name just a few.

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Steve Gadd
The most recorded drummer in the world, who has appeared in many types of settings in many genres, Steve Gadd's impressive technique and flexibility have been influential during the past 20 years. He started playing drums at the age of three, sat in with Dizzy Gillespie when he was 11, and after extensive study and a stint in the Army, Gadd became an important studio drummer beginning in 1972. Since then he recorded with artists such as: Paul Simon, George Benson, Rickie Lee Jones, Gladys Knight, Yusef Lateef, Manhattan Transfer, Sir Paul McCartney, Kenny Loggins, Sergio Mendes, Bette Middler, Herp Alpert, Patti Austin, Chet Baker, Gato Barbieri, Ron Carter, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Bee Gees, Dr John, Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Spyro Gyra, Ringo Starr, Grover Washington, Mongo Santamaria, Paquito D'Rivera, Maynard Ferguson, Georgie Fame.