Dave Brubeck April 15, 2008

With jazz's first million seller, 'Take Five' in 1959, Brubeck experimented with daring time signatures and a distinctive harmonic approach, launching what would be called "West Coast" or "cool" jazz. The legend was recently introduced to a whole new generation through his appearances on Ken Burns' documentary mini-series 'Jazz.' Lionel Frederick Cole (brother of Nat King Cole) has come out from the shadow cast by his famous brother, although he sounds a bit like Nat. His phrasing is closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his brother and his timing swings a little more. His vocals--suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate--are among the most respected in jazz.