If you love the Swing era sounds of bands like Fletcher Henderson and Glenn Miller, check out Valaida Snow. A talented multi-instrumentalist, Snow specialized in the trumpet, earning the moniker “Little Louis” after Louis Armstrong, and made a big splash with her signature tune, “Hi-Hat, Trumpet, and Rhythm.” If the classic Hard Bop of the 1950s and ‘60s is your thing, Dorothy Ashby is a must-listen. A native of Detroit and alum of the storied Cass Technical High School, Ashby ushered in the harp as a viable jazz instrument, recording several albums for Prestige, Blue Note, and Cadet records over a thirty-year career, including Hip Harp and Soft Winds. For those who dig contemporary sounds, dive into the discography of Geri Allen. A pianist of incredible range and depth, Allen delivers both considerable power and great tenderness on the keys, and was a major influence on some of today’s most notable artists, like Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, and Craig Taborn. Favorite records include Twenty One and The Life of a Song, both phenomenal trio outings. If you’re always on the lookout for the latest trend-setters, look no further than Esperanza Spalding. Not only an extraordinary bassist and vocalist, but a wildly creative and genre-bending composer and arranger, exploring the intersections of jazz, classical chamber music, soul, and more. Her 2012 album Radio Society is a great entry point.