The cool factor- who has it?

Contemporary cool - Leon Bridges, Son Little, Jaten Collin Dimsdale (Teddy Swims) Black Pumas, The Roots and Quest Love, Joss Stone, lots of truly cool people out there today making music. 

Lots of votes for Miles. Not surprising. Many other artists mentioned here whom I hadn’t heard of. I will try them. I think Joe Cocker (listen to St. James Infirmary ), Jimi Hendrix was cool. Later SRV. Chet Baker, for sure. Les Paul I would add. I would add Sade, Bonnie Raitt, and Natalie Merchant.  But then who can forget the J Geils Band and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band! Block of ice cool.

@effischer 

I was planning to write something very similar, so thank you!

I listen to Schifrin's Bullitt soundtrack once every few months, and re-watch the film every three or four years, and never tire of them.

Dean Martin 

Nat King Cole

Johnny Adams

Boz Scaggs

Leonard Cohen 

Willie Nelson (incredible that Willie just released a great new album and wrote hit songs for Patsy Cline-that’s as cool as it gets)

Cool, who is or who isn’t is an overheated argument now.

Times have changed and just about anyone can be cool (a little like everyone has the potential for 15 minutes of fame, as alluded to by Andy Warhol’s brilliant claim)

Cool was once a term used only sparingly for just a few people who were ultra brilliant in their class. I first heard of the expression in conjunction with Steve McQueen. Have there been any other actors that have topped this?

Not many people are “really cool” now as l believe the term has been seriously undervalued because of it’s all too easy frequent overuse. I prefer to use the term acceptable or luke-warm for a lot of the suggestions made on here.

My conclusion only which will not be deemed “cool” by those who like to over use the outdated “hay man that’s cool” expression.

A reflection from my partner.

Someone mentioned Elvis was “cool” in his early years…. She says he definitely was NOT cool…. He was HOT

@whipsaw 

Steve McQueen made Schifrins music even cooler when he composed for Bullitt. Jazz scores took off with Quincy Jones too.