I thought about mentioning Elllngton in this context….he even temporarily played in his band at the time.
Randy Weston is yet another strong recommendation. I can agree with, especially considering Melba Liston’s contribution. We differ on Basie as he represents the music of a time, a people and their Heart and Soul, as well as the heart and soul of American Jazz.
There are innumerable composers and artists who “represent the heart and soul of music.”
You can start be reviewing the artists in this thread, many of who are equally gifted. Then expand your horizons and move over to the what are you spinning thread and learn of many, many more. And then get off the forum and explore the astounding variety of incredible musicians, past and present. I only wish I had time to experience them all.
Of course, if for there is only one such musician for anyone this is perfectly fine. But I expect for most there are many more than just one.
@Elk, Such a generous comment, thank-you.
By no means a criticism, but the following comes to mind:
“…writing about music is like dancing about architecture…”
Of course Martha Graham and Twyla Tharp may beg to differ.
The Heart and Soul of music, does it move you and in what way. Regarding Basie it moved people to their feet, and provided an outlet during difficult times and circumstances. As Elk said there is quite a bit out there, listen with your heart and body. Well, at least for me it is readily apparent.
Your appreciation of musicians is different than mine. This is perfectly OK.
I hope however you find more than one who represents “the heart and soul of jazz” - or of any other form of music. There are so many superb artists out there to limit oneself to just one or a couple.
Take a look at the “What are you spinning now thread.” We are now closing in on 100,000 posts in this ongoing thread. I am comfortable representing hundreds of musicians have been mentioned in this thread alone. 
Which, but the way, is incredibly cool and inspiring.
Yes, this was at least what I meant.
I also love Basie, Monk, Miles or Dizzy, but they don’t trigger emotion that much in me, but different feelings and interest. If I had to choose one out of the vintage jazz era, it would probably be Ellington who does the most. In classical music it would be Mahler, Wagner, Strauss, Sibelius first I guess.
I love especially the “This one’s for Blanton” recording. As well as “Piano in the foreground” and several Big Band ones.
Oh, I very much like Bach for example, too, the actual daily topic cello suites as an example, I again just named what probably touches me most emotionally. Bach for me rather calms down head and psyche and is somehow “healing” (also heart and soul I admit). I love it for that.
I love a lot of music that for me doesn’t heavily trigger intense emotions, but different interests or senses … and I think from a timely perspective I probably even listen to this kind of music more frequently.
I understand. I spent perhaps the happiest three years of my life living in (non-apartheid but in apartheid era) southern Africa. A wonderful part of the world.
I love the albums that Ellington produced for Reprise Records by “Dollar Brand” (later Abdullah Ibrahim) and his wife Sathima Benjamin, a very interesting singer.
A couple of things, soul can mean emotionally moved, and to my point that it can result in a physical reaction, such as dancing to the music of Basie. Music appreciation has a strong element of personal taste and preference. I respect that.
I guess I don’t follow your comment on Sing, Sing, Sing…
For me jazz, and music is "“in the moment” as such you are not likely to see me mention favorites, bests, or that I “love” a piece or composer. That’s me, nothing wrong with it, but I’m in the moment. What I post is intended to challenge jazz sensibilities and hopefully for the curious to consider exploring different musical forms. Hopefully you can respect that and the effort one puts into it. There is an element of American Jazz that expresses human strife and struggle, that gets at heart and soul in my mind. That only should not define a genre or a preference, but may be an element for consideration, though not exclusively. Bring what you like to the discussion and those performances that represent your interests as do others on this forum. Peace and be well.
Moving on to some music:
Of course not; some musicians are not very good or are just average. But there are many who are superb in any given genre, not just one or a few.
I think we have covered it.
Yes, one needs to experience it to understand possibly.
Hugh Masekela as another (I think South) African musician all audiophiles know is a further perfect example who reaches us (or at least me) on a very emotional level.
Will try your Ellington recommendation, thanks!
Right before I had to go out to dinner with Lucy and in-laws yesterday a fat package from Japan came with reissue cds I had been waiting months to be released and arrive. Didn’t get to experience any of them yesterday but have so far listened to four.
First off was Kenny Burrell “Asphalt Canyon,” which I only had on a pretty noisey LP in the past. A very nice remaster!
This was followed by Alice Coltrane, “Lord of Lords” from the Impulse 60 series of her releases released this week. A slight upgrade from earlier cd releases. . . great music.
Then on to an SHM-SACD of Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette “Standards, Vol. 1.” I played this to death when it first came out, mostly on cassettte, and practiced drums to it over and over, especially the interesting groove of “God Bless the Child,” which inspired a great drum pattern for a song the band I was then in, “Caution: Flammable” had put together and was probably our most popular, “King of L.A.” This SHM-SACD sounded a bit bright and unfocused, but when I reversed the “Phase” on my DAC it came into both a nicer tonal balance and a better imaging and soundstage situation. Nice!
Then on to John Coltrane, “Ballads,” also a new SHM-SACD. Not sure it’s my favorite digital version of this amazing title, at least not yet, but it sure does sound good today.
My system has been just sounding so damned good this month. All the money I’ve thrown at it over this last decade has been worth it.
Chick Corea “Return to Forever” ECM SHM-SACD
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Another one that I think sounds slightly better with “phase” reversed. An album I will continue to listen to with relish for many years to come.
Alice Coltrane “Journey in Satchidananda” 60th Anniversary Impulse SHM-CD Japan
Playing this original issue vinyl, and I have forgotten how much fun it is. The third cut Rejoicing has Glen Moore laying down a bass vibe with Colin Walcott playing sitar over handclaps. Is it jazz? More along the lines of world music with a chamber jazz feel to it, similar to but with more energy than one may encounter on the ecm label. The next cut Elk emulates the majestic Elk in the wood with a sunrise. Sonics are quite good, and the vinyl is quiet.