Musicians & Music

An overview of some of Saint Louis’ musical legends.

  • image of Scott Joplin album cover with a subtitle: "king of the ragtime writers"

    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

  • Image of an older Ella Jenkins holding a guitar looking at the viewer

    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.

    Listen: You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song

  • black and white image of Johnnie Johnson, holding a cigar and wearing a hat.

    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

  • Image of Chuck Berry playing guitar

    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

  • photograph of Miles Davis

    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

  • 2009 image of Grace Bumbry

    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

  • 1971 photograph of Ike and Tina Turner

    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

  • photograph of Fontella Bass

    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

  • Image of Donny Hathaway

    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

  • 2010 photograph of Nelly

    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

  • photograph of SZA singing into a microphone

    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

  • 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/

  • 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