15 Stylish Jazz Musicians to Celebrate International Jazz Day

It’s International Jazz Day! From the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to a concert series held in Namibia, Africa, this weekend, the whole world is celebrating decades of jazz history and the iconic performers who helped shape it.

Jazz has its roots in African-American communities in New Orleans, where African and European musical traditions merged to create a wholly American art form. In the 20th century, particularly during the 1940s bebop movement, jazz as we now know it began to take shape, and was defined by its syncopated sound, as well as its intimate vocal performances. The men and women taking the stage dressed to the nines, with men in black tie and women in shimmering ball gowns.

On a weekend night, there was no cooler form of entertainment than a live jazz performance — and iconic performers like Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, and Miles Davis delighted audiences with their dazzling shows.

In honor of International Jazz Day, we’ve featured 15 jazz greats whose music and personal styles have influenced fashion and culture today.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.