I suggest checking line-ups of Montreal Jazz festival. The best musicians gather there:
Roy Hargrove -- trumpereer
Ambrose Akimusire -- trumpeteer
Bill Frisell (He took lessons from Johnny Smith) -- electric guitar and experimental electronics
Alan Jackson -- multi-string electric basses known in bands Spyra Gyra and Fourplay
Brian Blade -- drums better and faster than Buddy Rich in his prime!
John Pattitucci -- string and electric basses
Snarky Puppy -- funky big band lead by Michael League (electric bass)
Richard Bona -- electric bassist
Phillip Johnston -- soprano and alto saxes with Microscopic Septet band and also Big Trouble. They improvise on old foxtrots and swing compositions adding more modern harshness.
Marc Ribot -- electric guitar
John Medeski - Martin - Wood or MMW -- known funky jazz trio
Exploring Northern Europe:
Jazz-Baltica is a festival, but not quite: It's more of a jam sessions with coolest Northern European jazz musicians such as:
Wolfgang Hafner -- founder and drummer;
Nills Lundgren -- trombone, vocal
Marcusz Wasilewski -- piano and keyboards
Lars Danielsson -- bass
Till Bronner -- trumpet
Nils Petter Molvaer -- trumpet with sound effects and pedals
Eivind Aarset -- guitar with experimental electronics and many others
And finally, for the most of the greatest ones, follow and explore ECM label at all times!
Highlights are:
Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack Dejonette -- trio and obviously their solo works
Pat Metheny -- no need to introduce indeed
Carla Bley
Egberto Gismonty
Eberhardt Webber
Colin Walcott,
Nana Vasconcielos
Bill Connors
Keith Jarrett
Roy Hargrove -- trumpereer
Ambrose Akimusire -- trumpeteer
Bill Frisell (He took lessons from Johnny Smith) -- electric guitar and experimental electronics
Alan Jackson -- multi-string electric basses known in bands Spyra Gyra and Fourplay
Brian Blade -- drums better and faster than Buddy Rich in his prime!
John Pattitucci -- string and electric basses
Snarky Puppy -- funky big band lead by Michael League (electric bass)
Richard Bona -- electric bassist
Phillip Johnston -- soprano and alto saxes with Microscopic Septet band and also Big Trouble. They improvise on old foxtrots and swing compositions adding more modern harshness.
Marc Ribot -- electric guitar
John Medeski - Martin - Wood or MMW -- known funky jazz trio
Exploring Northern Europe:
Jazz-Baltica is a festival, but not quite: It's more of a jam sessions with coolest Northern European jazz musicians such as:
Wolfgang Hafner -- founder and drummer;
Nills Lundgren -- trombone, vocal
Marcusz Wasilewski -- piano and keyboards
Lars Danielsson -- bass
Till Bronner -- trumpet
Nils Petter Molvaer -- trumpet with sound effects and pedals
Eivind Aarset -- guitar with experimental electronics and many others
And finally, for the most of the greatest ones, follow and explore ECM label at all times!
Highlights are:
Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack Dejonette -- trio and obviously their solo works
Pat Metheny -- no need to introduce indeed
Carla Bley
Egberto Gismonty
Eberhardt Webber
Colin Walcott,
Nana Vasconcielos
Bill Connors
Keith Jarrett