Jazz Musicians In Pop Music

Jazz started out as part of America’s popular music landscape, going back to the swing bands that would fill dance halls and the bandleaders who became stars. But even after rock and pop music took over, jazz musicians made appearances in songs that became big hits. Sure, maybe most people don’t know their names, but their contributions are part of the fabric of American popular music. Here are a few famous examples.

Michael Brecker on Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years”

Grover Washington, Jr. on Bill Withers’ “Just The Two Of Us”

Phil Woods on Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are”

Chet Baker on Elvis Costello’s “Shipbuilding”