Straight-ahead jazz is a genre that emphasizes swing, improvisation, and traditional jazz structures. It often features a small ensemble of instruments, such as a quartet or quintet, and focuses on the interplay between the musicians. The music is characterized by its use of bluesy melodies, complex harmonies, and rhythmic syncopation. The genre has roots in the bebop and hard bop movements of the 1940s and 1950s, and has continued to evolve over the years. Today, it is still a vibrant and popular style of jazz, with many talented musicians carrying on the tradition.
Here is a list of straight-ahead jazz artists on Spotify, ranked based on popularity, who exemplifies the straight-ahead jazz genre. You can find out what straight-ahead jazz genre sounds like where you can preview artists or sort them the way you want, just click the headers to sort.